The Saskatchewan Roughriders wrapped up rookie training camp on Friday morning at Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan campus.
The Riders started the morning running through their offensive and defensive playbooks. Halfway through the workout, head coach Corey Mace stopped the practice to introduce a compete period.
Players moved outside the north end zone where receivers and defenders competed one-on-one in a five-play showdown with push-ups on the line. The two most notable plays were a corner route in the end zone to receiver Daniel Wiebe, which was a brilliant reception; however, his teammates ruled him out of bounds. On the final play, linebacker Braxton Hill dropped in coverage and jumped an out-pattern, intercepting the ball and returning it for a touchdown. However, the offence won three of five reps, forcing the defence to drop for 20 push-ups.
Individually, the player to watch on day three was Antoine Brooks Jr. The Maryland graduate spent most of last season on the practice roster with the Roughriders as a defensive back. However, throughout camp, the Riders have moved him around the defence from halfback to linebacker. That versatility caught Mace's eye.
“The more you can do, the more you put yourself in favour to help the team. From a schematic standpoint, having guys that can move around a little bit is good for disguising and getting guys out of a jam," Mace said.
Brooks Jr. has displayed his versatility throughout his career. After injuring his wrist and ankle, he moved from quarterback to linebacker in college. The transition from offence to defence has given him an advantage in the secondary.
“It helps me read quarterbacks. That’s what makes me good at springing and jumping to the ball. I know what quarterbacks are thinking when they look that way," Brooks Jr. said.
Other notes from camp:
- Punters Joe Couch and Ben Hadley were busy throughout the session, punting the ball and working on holding for field goals.
- Several veteran Roughriders’ players were in the stands; Habakkuk Baldonado, DaMarcus Fields, and C.J. Reavis were interested observers.
- Special teams coordinator Kent Maugeri worked great with kick returners, emphasizing his desire to have the ball caught on the fly.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are off on Saturday while paring their roster to 85 players. Then main training camp opens on Sunday in Saskatoon.
