You can bet the farm that reigning CFL rookie-of-the-year Weston Dressler will be slotted back into the starting lineup of the Saskatchewan Roughriders this season. Where he’ll be positioned is a more risky wager — and that’s the whole idea.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post
REGINA -- You can bet the farm that reigning CFL rookie-of-the-year Weston Dressler will be slotted back into the starting lineup of the Saskatchewan Roughriders this season.
Where he’ll be positioned is a more risky wager — and that’s the whole idea.
Where he’ll be positioned is a more risky wager — and that’s the whole idea.
With the signing of former all-star slotback Jason Clermont, teamed with prospective all-star Andy Fantuz, the speedy Dressler is expected to complement their robust inside game by rotating all over the field in an effort to free him up and create mismatches.
“When we decide where our receivers play, we take the player who we feel is one of the most adjustable players and put him in the boundary slot,” explained Riders head coach Ken Miller.
“When we decide where our receivers play, we take the player who we feel is one of the most adjustable players and put him in the boundary slot,” explained Riders head coach Ken Miller.
“Then we move them back and forth across the field, exchange them in and out with the boundary (wide) receiver. That’s what Weston does really well so that’s probably where he will fit into our lineup. We can adjust our formations so he can play any of the positions on the field as well to give us a vertical stretch. He’ll be a versatile player for us.”
Dressler emerged as the Riders’ secret weapon last season when their receiving corps was decimated with injuries, but they couldn’t keep the secret for long. Hence the need for a little extra creativity.
“We try to find ways to get him the ball all the time and vary that,” noted Miller. “After the first two or three games, we didn’t sneak up on anybody with him last year.”
In spite of that fact, Dressler was a clear-cut choice as the league’s top rookie after leading the team with 56 catches for 1,128 yards and six touchdowns.
In spite of that fact, Dressler was a clear-cut choice as the league’s top rookie after leading the team with 56 catches for 1,128 yards and six touchdowns.
Now, the question is: What does he do for an encore?
“Last year was last year,” said Dressler. “I’m just looking forward to trying to improve as a player and do everything I can to help the team win. We’re gonna have a lot of different things we can do with the guys we have and that’s going to be an advantage we’ll have against defences. We’re just trying to get used to everyone and work together to try to be successful every play.”
Dressler insisted he isn’t concerned about where he lines up this season, be it the slot, the outside — even the backfield. He’s happy as long as he’s on the field and has a chance to contribute.
As for the slotback position, offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice noted that Dressler and Fantuz were productive starters last season, so it’s up to everyone else — including Clermont — to prove themselves worthy of the same opportunity.
“We feel (Dressler and Fantuz) are two of the most tremendous receivers in the league,” offered LaPolice, whose offence favours five-receiver sets. “We have a talented receiving corps. There’s a competition for that one last slot position. Everybody has to compete.”
Even the incumbents.
Even the incumbents.
“Weston Dressler has to compete for his starting job; Andy Fantuz does,” added LaPolice. “That’s not fair to other players if we just say these guys walk in as starters. One thing we tell all our players is there’s no entitlement. You have to earn everything you do.”
The Riders plan to minimize Dressler’s work on special teams in hopes of keeping him fresh and healthy. Dressler was the team’s primary return man early last season, but the wear and tear eventually caught up to him. He missed three full games due to injuries and saw limited action on special teams late in the campaign.
“That’s a coach’s decision,” said the 5-foot-7, 179-pounder. “I think (returning kicks) is a very exciting part of the game and I love doing it. But we obviously have some athletes here that are capable of doing that. If it’s going to make the team better, that’s what we should do.”
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