Saskatchewan Roughriders middle linebacker Barrin Simpson practicing at the University of Regina on Thursday.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post
REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders middle linebacker Barrin Simpson appears to be getting better with age.
In his head coach's eyes, even one month has made a difference.
"Early on (this season), he was adequate," Saskatchewan bench boss Ken Miller said Thursday. "Last week (in a game against the Calgary Stampeders), he was better.
"He's becoming reacquainted with the defence he operated in in 2001. As he has become more accustomed and really fit into our scheme, he has done better and better. I think that we'll see his level of play continue to rise."
Simpson, 32, is in his first season with the Roughriders but his 10th in the CFL. As a rookie in 2001 with the B.C. Lions, his defensive co-ordinator was Gary Etcheverry — who now holds the same job with the Roughriders.
Etcheverry doesn't think a lot has changed with one of his star pupils.
"I considered him back in '01 a student of the game, but now he has really honed his studying techniques and he knows what he's looking at when he's studying video," Etcheverry said. "As a preparation week unfolds, he really knows how to go about his business."
"I considered him back in '01 a student of the game, but now he has really honed his studying techniques and he knows what he's looking at when he's studying video," Etcheverry said. "As a preparation week unfolds, he really knows how to go about his business."
"Ten years in the league, I definitely know what to expect, how to study film, how to break down opposing offences and what to look for when they come out on the field," said Simpson, who played five seasons with B.C. and four with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
"When a team comes out in a formation, I know the top three plays that they like to do out of that formation so it makes me that much more in tune and that much more faster to get into plays."
Simpson was the CFL's rookie of the year in '01 after registering 115 defensive tackles. He was named a West Division and a CFL all-star that season — his first of six career appearances on a division all-star team and on the league's dream team.
He entered Week 5 with a Roughriders-leading 19 defensive tackles, which tied him for eighth in the league. He's obviously still effective, roaming sideline to sideline to make tackles.
"I still feel fast, still doing the same things I've always done," said Simpson, a noted workout fanatic. "There's no difference in playing for me, but the recovery time is a lot different than it was five years ago."
"In his 10th year, a guy's not going to get faster," Etcheverry noted when asked if Simpson had lost a step. "But an old comment I heard — and I've shared it with him — is a guy says, 'Has he lost a step?' and I always say, 'A veteran knows where to step.' He definitely falls into that category."
Simpson is among the elder statesmen in terms of CFL middle linebackers. Shea Emry of the Montreal Alouettes is 24, Calgary's Juwan Simpson is 26, Jason Pottinger of the Toronto Argonauts, Maurice Lloyd of the Edmonton Eskimos and Joe Lobendahn of the Blue Bombers are each 27, and B.C.'s Anton McKenzie is 29.
Only Otis Floyd of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats — who played with Barrin Simpson in B.C. in 2004 and '05 — is older. He's 34.
"At least Otis is the oldest," said a chuckling Simpson, whose squad plays the Tiger-Cats on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium. "I'm still 25."
In Simpson's mind, he and Floyd have been able to survive in the league — when younger players haven't — largely because of the work they do during the weeks before games.
"That's been our niche: Being prepared," Simpson said. "The old saying is, 'If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail.' We know how to prepare, we know what we're doing, we know how to study film and we know how to practise. It all runs together."
"That's been our niche: Being prepared," Simpson said. "The old saying is, 'If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail.' We know how to prepare, we know what we're doing, we know how to study film and we know how to practise. It all runs together."
Miller admitted the Roughriders may have to make a decision at linebacker if Rey Williams — who signed an option-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the off-season — doesn't stick in the NFL and returns to Saskatchewan. In the meantime, the Roughriders will continue to rely on a player who doesn't act his age.
"Barrin has shown us that he's really athletic, he still has great quickness and he's able to capitalize on the experience that he has," Miller said. "I don't see his age being a detriment right now."
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