Could the Saskatchewan Roughriders coaches experiment with moving tackle Marcus Adams to the end position during training camp? Adams had 33 tackles and one sack in 2009.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files
REGINA — The ends will justify the means for the Saskatchewan Roughriders during training camp.
The CFL team is searching for two defensive ends to replace Stevie Baggs and John Chick, who signed during the off-season with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts, respectively.
As a result, the battle will be joined when camp opens.
"We're going to compete there," Roughriders defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry says. "Nobody is an incumbent. Nobody has the edge. It's going to be a full-blown competition to find guys to play those positions."
Baggs was named a West Division all-star last season after tying for the CFL lead with 12 sacks and adding 55 defensive tackles, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
Chick was named a division and CFL all-star and was voted the league's most outstanding defensive player following a season in which teams devised game plans specifically to defend him. He finished the season with 32 tackles, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Etcheverry says the loss of the duo is "significant" to the Roughriders' defence, but he suggests finding replacements won't add stress to his life.
"Every year, we as coaches are doing our best work if we're ready to coach whoever comes off the bus," the veteran coach says. "In part, that gives rise to (players like) Stevie Baggs and John Chick."
Someone is going to have to produce sacks for the Roughriders in 2010. The team finished third in the CFL with 39 sacks last season, but only six of those came from returning defensive linemen.
To replace the ends, the team has assembled a group of players with varying levels of experience.
Joe Sykes spent the entire season with the Roughriders, but didn't register a defensive tackle or sack in the five games he was on the roster. Regina product Michael Stadnyk, whom the Roughriders selected in the 2008 Canadian college draft, was on the roster six times and finished the season with one defensive tackle.
Kitwana Jones, who had 17 sacks for the Roughriders from 2005 through '08, played eight games with Saskatchewan last season after being released by the Edmonton Eskimos — but mainly on special teams.
Willie Evans joined Saskatchewan's practice roster in mid-October, but didn't play. Imports Brent Hawkins and Ikenna Ike signed during the off-season, and Shomari Williams (who also can play linebacker) was the first overall pick in the 2010 Canadian college draft.
The Roughriders also may sign another end before camp opens, and changes may be in the offing during camp as well.
The Roughriders also may sign another end before camp opens, and changes may be in the offing during camp as well.
"Nothing is going to be off the table as a possibility," Etcheverry says cryptically. "That includes moving guys to that position, including maybe guys who many (people) may not think of (as ends)."
The Roughriders are flush with veterans at tackle, with import Marcus Adams (33 tackles, one sack in 2009) and non-imports Luc Mullinder (20 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery) and Keith Shologan (27 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble returns in his first full season as a starter).
Import Josh Miller was in camp for much of the '09 season but didn't dress for any games. Vaalyn Jackson, another import, had a brief stay on the practice roster last season and was re-signed during the off-season.
It's expected the Roughriders also will add a couple of defensive tackles before camp opens.
"A guy who has been here has the inside track because he has been exposed to our language," Etcheverry says of the D-line battle. "At the same time, if you're one of the guys who wasn't here, you can't dwell on it. You have to come in, have a positive attitude and believe when it's all said and done that you're going to be better than the competition."
"A guy who has been here has the inside track because he has been exposed to our language," Etcheverry says of the D-line battle. "At the same time, if you're one of the guys who wasn't here, you can't dwell on it. You have to come in, have a positive attitude and believe when it's all said and done that you're going to be better than the competition."
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