Andy Fantuz, wide receiver.
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post files
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders deployed arguably the best crew of Canadian receivers in the CFL in 2009.
Those pass-catchers may get the opportunity in 2010 to repeat that performance — or they may not.
Those pass-catchers may get the opportunity in 2010 to repeat that performance — or they may not.
“We know we have options; that’s the biggest thing,” Roughriders offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry says when asked about the team’s depth at non-import receiver. “Whether we play with four (Canadians), three, two or one, we have a lot of options there.
“The thing is, we have enough to be able to play three or as many as four. I think it’s going to be somewhere around two or three.”
Saskatchewan started four non-import receivers down the stretch in 2009, so someone may not get to reprise the role he played last season — and that will create competition among the Canucks.
“It depends on the quality of imports that we have coming in,” Berry says. “Offensively, we have room to move. But we do have enough Canadians to field a good football team with three or potentially four Canadians.”
Rob Bagg (59 catches, 807 yards, five touchdowns in 2009) had a breakout season at wide receiver, Chris Getzlaf (41 receptions, 531 yards, six TDs) was a revelation at slotback, and Andy Fantuz (67 catches, 882 yards, four TDs in 13 games) was again a force inside.
Jason Clermont (23 catches, 317 yards) didn’t get a lot of opportunities last season, but Berry says he’d “like to be able to get Jason involved a little more.” As well, David McKoy is finally healthy and may get a shot.
Jason Clermont (23 catches, 317 yards) didn’t get a lot of opportunities last season, but Berry says he’d “like to be able to get Jason involved a little more.” As well, David McKoy is finally healthy and may get a shot.
“We’ve got good depth there,” Berry says. “I like what I see.”
In terms of import receivers, the Roughriders in the off-season released Jason Armstead, Chris Jones, Eric Morris and Johnny Quinn and bid farewell to Gerran Walker (who signed as a free agent with the Toronto Argonauts). That left just one import receiver — slotback Weston Dressler (62 catches, 941 yards, four TDs in 14 games) — on the roster who played with the Roughriders in ’09.
In terms of import receivers, the Roughriders in the off-season released Jason Armstead, Chris Jones, Eric Morris and Johnny Quinn and bid farewell to Gerran Walker (who signed as a free agent with the Toronto Argonauts). That left just one import receiver — slotback Weston Dressler (62 catches, 941 yards, four TDs in 14 games) — on the roster who played with the Roughriders in ’09.
Because Dressler is still recovering from a broken leg suffered late last season, he’s expected to miss the first week of training camp. However, it’s believed he’ll be ready for the regular season.
The only other American receiver now on the roster who was in Saskatchewan last season is Jeremy Gilchrist, who was signed as a potential return man. He didn’t dress for a game in ’09.
In desperate need of import receivers, the Roughriders went shopping in the off-season.
In desperate need of import receivers, the Roughriders went shopping in the off-season.
Among those brought in is Prechae Rodriguez, who was acquired from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for non-import receiver Adam Nicolson.
The 6-foot-5, 208-pound Rodriguez caught 70 passes for 1,099 yards and seven TDs in 14 games in 2008, when he lost to Dressler in balloting for the CFL’s most outstanding rookie award. Last season, injuries limited Rodriguez to 12 games, during which he made 45 catches for 495 yards and three scores.
Berry says Rodriguez offers the club “a different element” because of his size and speed on the outside.
“As Hamilton proved, you can put the ball up in the air and he’s going to go get it,” Berry says. “That’s a strength that a 6-foot-5 guy has . . . We’re looking to get him back to the level he was at.”
Berry uses the word “interesting” to describe import Aaron Fairooz, a 6-foot-6, 210-pounder who tried out for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers when Berry was their head coach.
At 6-foot-0, Cary Koch is the tallest of the other import receivers expected in camp. Dwayne Eley (5-foot-10), Aaron Waldie (5-foot-9) and Aaron Love (5-foot-8) round out the hopefuls.
“With the guys we have, we have great quality there,” Berry says. “If somebody comes in who’s better, we’re going to be OK. If we don’t find somebody like that, we’ll go with what we’ve got — which isn’t bad, because there’s some good talent there.”Read more:
At 6-foot-0, Cary Koch is the tallest of the other import receivers expected in camp. Dwayne Eley (5-foot-10), Aaron Waldie (5-foot-9) and Aaron Love (5-foot-8) round out the hopefuls.
“With the guys we have, we have great quality there,” Berry says. “If somebody comes in who’s better, we’re going to be OK. If we don’t find somebody like that, we’ll go with what we’ve got — which isn’t bad, because there’s some good talent there.”Read more:
No comments:
Post a Comment