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PHOTOS/VIDEO: Rider training camp opens in Saskatoon

May 31, 2015 | 3:45 PM

The Saskatchewan Roughriders hit the ground walking on Sunday as they opened training camp at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon. 

Rather than the usual practice to open the team’s pre-season training, the coaching staff decided to take things slow opting for a walk through instead.

“We want to take that climb. We don’t want to come off and be dropped on the top of a mountain. We want to make sure we climb the mountain,” said head coach Corey Chamblin.

“This is a first step to see how guys are going to react from a learning standpoint and from the weight standpoint.”

Walk throughs are nothing new for the Riders at training camp. For the last couple of years, Chamblin and his staff have opted to hold the padless, slower pace learning sessions to give his players a physical break usually every second morning. 

The players will get their first taste of a full practice on Wednesday afternoon. 

The low-risk, slow start to training camp seems to fit the team’s veterans just fine.

“At the end of the day, it’s about the regular season and the playoffs. It’s not about camp. Camp gets you ready for that, but you don’t want to drive guys into the ground,” said quarterback Darian Durant. 

The slower paced start is something that might favour Durant as he’s coming back from a season ending elbow injury. Durant did throw at the team’s mini-camp in Florida a couple of months ago. 

Since then, Durant feels he’s only become stronger. 

“You won’t be able to get over that until you take a hit really and that’s something you won’t be able to do until the first pre-season game,” he said.

“As of now, it’s just focusing on my throws. Learning the system.”

The morning session was a good chance for a number of the players on both sides of the ball to see what they’ve been learning in the classroom and in their play books on the field. 

Both the offence and the defence are learning new systems and or ideas this year. During the first few days of camp, learning will be the focus of many of the players. 

“You got to learn the personalities of the coaches. What they expect of you. You know what you expect of yourself in it. But, it’s more getting a feel of your coaches and what they expect of you,” said defensive lineman Tearrius George. 

News and Notes

Defensive lineman Levi Steinhauer did not participate on the first morning of training camp. He’s listed as day-to-day but Chamblin said the injury is nothing serious. 

Receiver Jamal Richardson lined up with the offence on Sunday morning. He passed his physical prior to the opening of camp and Chamblin expects the veteran to be full speed right away. 

The Riders announced their guest coaches for training camp, among them is former B.C. Lions offensive lineman Angus Reid. Matt Applebaum, Dwayne Cameron and Dave Jackson are the other guest coaches. 

For some observations from the Green Zone’s Jamie Nye, click here.

JGasson@rawlco.com

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