Riders’ Chris Jones looking for personality, character in combine participants
You could be the most athletic football player at the draft, but if you don’t fit with the Riders’ philosophy, general manager and head coach Chris Jones just might pass you over.
Over the last two days, for the top-ranked university level football players at the CFL Combine have jumped, sprinted and showcased their physical football skills for representatives of the league’s nine teams. The players have also been interviewed by scouts, general managers and coaches.
“It’s good to get in the interviews and get to know them personality-wise to see whether or not they’re going to be a fit for what you’re looking for,” Jones said after the Saturday morning testing. “Certainly when we get them in the one-on-ones in a little while we’ll be able to evaluate them as football players.”
During the afternoon one-on-one testing, Jones could be seen right in the mix on the field watching intently as the defensive and offensive linemen went head to head. Though he looked in his element, he said his favourite part of the combine came the day before.