REGINA -- Casey McGahee looks fast standing still.
But he’s even faster while returning kicks and punts at Saskatchewan Roughriders’ main training camp. The 5-foot-9 and 185-pound wide receiver and returner has impressed more than a few onlookers after fielding a punt. With just one step, McGahee looks to be at full speed and looking to make tacklers miss.
But he’s even faster while returning kicks and punts at Saskatchewan Roughriders’ main training camp. The 5-foot-9 and 185-pound wide receiver and returner has impressed more than a few onlookers after fielding a punt. With just one step, McGahee looks to be at full speed and looking to make tacklers miss.
“It’s a God-given talent,’’ McGahee said Thursday after the fifth day of the Riders’ main camp at Mosaic Stadium. “I never ran track or anything like that because I played baseball. It just came naturally.’’
McGahee, 25, dressed for two games in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In Week 19, McGahee had seven punt returns for 95 yards against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He showed off his speed when he returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown as the Blue Bombers beat the Tiger-Cats 44-30.
That performance wasn’t enough to earn McGahee a spot on the playing roster. He was returned to the practice roster and joined the Riders in the offseason.
“Everything happens for a reason,’’ said McGahee, who spent four seasons at Florida Atlantic University as a receiver, returner and defensive back. “I’m here in Saskatchewan where they want me.’’
Riders head coach Ken Miller chuckled when asked for an up-close perspective on McGahee’s speed.
“He’s faster up close because he has an extra burst that most human beings don’t have,’’ said Miller.
The Riders are hoping that McGahee can add some excitement and speed to their special teams. Weston Dressler handled the bulk of the return duties in 2008 en route to winning the CFL’s rookie-of-the-year. While he’s a sure-handed returner, the Riders want Dressler to concentrate on being a receiver.
That’s why they are auditioning players like McGahee, Brandon Childress, Johnny Quinn, Byron Ross and Eric Morris for the returner’s job.
“If the situation is necessary, we will use Weston,’’ said Kavis Reed, who is in charge of the Riders’ special teams. “I’m a firm believer that a returner should be a returner. If you ask a guy to do two things, one goes lacking. Weston is an outstanding receiver and let’s leave him at that.’’
That doesn’t rule out McGahee seeing playing time at wide receiver. Riders head coach Ken Miller said he would like to see McGahee play wide receiver just to help with the CFL’s roster limitations.
“We really want him to be an accomplished receiver but he has some growth to do in that area,’’ said Miller. “We might looked at him as designated import on offence as a supportive receiver while filling the return position.’’
There isn’t much doubt in Reed’s mind that the McGahee can be an impact returner. He couldn’t hurt, either. Dressler had the Riders’ longest punt return of 31 yards and the longest kickoff return of 41 yards. The Roughriders were also seventh in the league in kickoff return yards (1,375) and fifth in punt return yards (787).
“You can’t coach speed,’’ said Reed. “Our responsibility to time the blocks and make certain they are secured at the right point. He’s going to get on the blockers a lot faster than most. It will be an absolute treat to watch him run returns.’’
McGahee is also looking forward to the opportunity.
McGahee is also looking forward to the opportunity.
“I love returning punts and kicks,’’ said McGahee, whose third cousin is Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee. “I expect it’s going to be very exciting this year, especially on special teams. Hopefully, we’ll have one of the best special teams in the league.’’
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