REGINA — Juan Joseph has already started adjusting to the Canadian football game.
The fourth quarterback on the Saskatchewan Roughriders depth chart asked reporters after Wednesday's opening day of rookie camp at Mosaic Stadium where to stand before the cameras, microphones and recorders. Then the rookie, who is only 21, answered every inquiry from the media in the scrum. Only in Saskatchewan would the fourth-string QB draw this much attention.
"I've just come here to compete and whatever might happen I leave in God's hands,'' said Joseph. "Wherever they put me in is fine.''
Where that may be will be determined by how quickly Joseph can adjust to the differences between Canadian and American football.
"The biggest thing is getting used to the ball,'' Joseph said. "It's quite a bit larger than the one I was used to. The field is also a lot different than I'm used to.''
Joseph also has to adjust to being fourth on the depth chart, which is different from his spot in college.
He was 26-7 as the starter with the Millsaps College Majors, an NCAA Division III program located in Jackson, Miss.
In 2008, he guided the Majors to the best record in school history at 11-0 and the team was ranked third nationally by D3football.com. He threw for 3,363 yards and broke his own school records for touchdown passes (32), completions (301) and attempts (445). He was intercepted just six times while rushing for a team-high 412 yards and four touchdowns.
Joseph signed with the Edmonton Eskimos during the offseason but was traded to the Roughriders on May 15 for popular defensive end Kitwana Jones.
"I feel a little bit of pressure because I heard that Kitwana was a good player and it's too bad that he's not here,'' said Joseph. "I'm real smart, so once I figure out how the offence works, then I will be able to contribute a lot to the team.''
Joseph is still adjusting to a game that is different from the one that he grew up playing in Jefferson, La., before moving to Jackson.
"Hopefully, it won't take that long,'' said Joseph, who is 6-foot-2 and 188 pounds. "I already had a better grip on the ball (Wednesday) and now I just have to get a better understanding of the field.''
Ken Miller, the Riders' head coach, said Joseph looked nervous Wednesday and it showed with his early pass attempts. Joseph improved as the session progressed.
"He has to overcome those things before a lot of time goes by,'' Miller said when asked about Joseph's adjustments. "We'll just have to use good judgment in determining that.''
Darian Durant, Steven Jyles and Dalton Bell, are first, second and third, respectively, on the depth chart. Joseph finds himself in a competition to move up. He's also doing that with three other quarterbacks who appeared to have a good rapport on the field Wednesday.
"That's just part of football,'' Joseph said when asked about getting along with his new teammates. "A lot of these guys are really old and they are talking about their NFL experience. I'm just 21 and I feel like a youngster.''
NOTES: Former Roughriders quarterback Drew Tate signed with the Calgary Stampeders on Wednesday. Tate spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons in Saskatchewan, mostly on the Riders' practice roster. The Stampeders also announced the signing of offensive lineman John Hashem. Hashem, a University of Regina Rams product, was the Stamps' third-round pick (24th overall) in this year's CFL draft . . . Rookie camp continues today and Friday at 9:30 a.m. . . . Veterans report Saturday and main camp opens Sunday at Mosaic Stadium . . . Former Riders quarterback Marcus Crandell made his first appearance Wednesday as a guest coach. Crandell was released last August after four seasons with the Riders and is helping coach the quarterbacks . . . A total of 40 players — four quarterbacks, 24 Americans, nine Canadians and three from junior programs in Regina and Saskatoon — are taking part in rookie camp.
mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com
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