By Ian Hamilton, Leader-
CALGARY — One of these things is not like the others.
CALGARY — One of these things is not like the others.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ starting receiving corps includes one (1) import in Gerran Walker and four (4) non-imports in Rob Bagg, Chris Getzlaf, Andy Fantuz and Adam Nicolson.
Walker may be an outsider, but the other receivers — dubbed the Canadian Air Force by some — are a welcoming bunch.
Walker may be an outsider, but the other receivers — dubbed the Canadian Air Force by some — are a welcoming bunch.
“We’re all a group,” Fantuz, asked jokingly if a Canadian clique existed among the receiving corps, said Thursday at a media event in advance of Sunday’s Grey Cup between the Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes. “We don’t isolate him like that at all.”
“No, we don’t do that,” Bagg added with a grin. “Not yet, anyway.”
Walker, a 26-year-old product of Atlanta, confirmed the inclusive nature of his teammates.
Walker, a 26-year-old product of Atlanta, confirmed the inclusive nature of his teammates.
“We do a lot of things together,” he said. “I don’t feel left out or anything.”
Having one import among the starting receivers sets the Roughriders apart from the CFL’s other seven teams. By the end of the 2009 regular season, each of the other squads was using at least two Americans (and usually more) to catch passes.
Having one import among the starting receivers sets the Roughriders apart from the CFL’s other seven teams. By the end of the 2009 regular season, each of the other squads was using at least two Americans (and usually more) to catch passes.
“I coach athletes and right now our best athletes are Canadian athletes at that particular position,” said Roughriders head coach Ken Miller, whose club dressed two other Canadians (Jason Clermont and David McKoy) and an import (Jason Armstead, the team’s main kick returner) as backups for Sunday’s West Division final against the Calgary Stampeders. “It’s a situation that’s unique because of the depth that we happen to have at that position.
“Most people in the CFL have preconceived notions about athletes and the perception that perhaps imports are better players,” Miller added. “It just so happens I don’t share that bias.”
The Roughriders have had other import receivers on the field this season, but Weston Dressler (broken fibula, dislocated ankle) and Johnny Quinn (knee) suffered season-ending injuries and Chris Jones didn’t do enough during his stint to keep his position.
That left Walker and the Canadians to carry the load. There again, the Roughriders are following a different path than other teams, because Walker is often a last resort in the passing attack.
The second-year wideout finished fifth on the Roughriders in the regular season with 401 yards on 36 catches, a yardage total that left him 37th in the league’s receiving derby.
The second-year wideout finished fifth on the Roughriders in the regular season with 401 yards on 36 catches, a yardage total that left him 37th in the league’s receiving derby.
He had five receptions or more in only three regular-season games and surpassed the 40-yard mark in only two outings. He also had just one catch for 10 yards in Sunday’s 27-17 victory over Calgary in the West final.
“We’ve had opportunities where we could have had more success — if I had caught a pass or made a different read or (quarterback Darian Durant) had put the ball in a certain place — but I’ve had my opportunities and I’m pretty happy with that part of it,” Walker said.
“A lot of things depend on what the other team brings to the table, but I feel comfortable and confident.”
“He’s definitely a key part of our receiving corps,” noted Fantuz. “You hear a lot of media exposure for the Canadian receivers, but whether it’s Walker or Johnny Quinn or Dressler, those guys are key components in our group. Sometimes they may get overlooked, but we wouldn’t be here without them.”
That said, Walker knows which group comprises the straw that’s stirring the Roughriders’ drink at the moment, and he’s comfortable deferring to the Canadian contingent.
“He’s definitely a key part of our receiving corps,” noted Fantuz. “You hear a lot of media exposure for the Canadian receivers, but whether it’s Walker or Johnny Quinn or Dressler, those guys are key components in our group. Sometimes they may get overlooked, but we wouldn’t be here without them.”
That said, Walker knows which group comprises the straw that’s stirring the Roughriders’ drink at the moment, and he’s comfortable deferring to the Canadian contingent.
“It just so happens that we’re here at a time when the Roughriders did a good job of getting that home-grown talent and keeping it in Saskatchewan,” Walker said. “They’re doing a great job.”
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