The Saskatchewan Roughriders' Rob Bagg, a product of Queen's University, is averaging 14.7 yards per reception and is 13th in the league in receiving yards.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post
EDMONTON — It’s not visible but there is a chip under Rob Bagg’s shoulder pads.
It’s there because the personable second-year receiver with the Saskatchewan Roughriders wants to show each team in the CFL what they missed when they could have drafted him 2007.
It’s there because the personable second-year receiver with the Saskatchewan Roughriders wants to show each team in the CFL what they missed when they could have drafted him 2007.
“It was a driving force when I came right out of college,’’ the Queen’s University graduate said in advance of Saturday's game (4 p.m., TSN) at Commonwealth Stadium against the Edmonton Eskimos. “I’m like a lot of Canadian players here who were undrafted out of college and have something to prove. There are bigger things that I worry about but there is the underlying theme that you want to show everyone around the league that you were just as good or should have been picked ahead of a few people.’’
The Riders considered Bagg to be among the top receivers in the class of 2007. They felt the same about University of Guelph’s David McKoy, whom they picked in the second round (ninth overall). The Riders didn’t want to use any of their remaining four picks on another receiver so, like every other team in the CFL, they passed on Bagg. Bagg, a native of Kingston, Ont., still remembers the disappointment of not being drafted.
“I’ve blocked most of it out of my mind,’’ Bagg said with a smile. “I was pretty upset. I had spent the day with my family and it didn’t happen.’’
A couple days later Bagg received a phone call from Riders general manager Eric Tillman about signing as a free agent.
“That meant I didn’t mope around too long,’’ said Bagg.
Bagg also made a decision then that would later stun the Riders’ brass. The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Bagg made the team out of the 2007 training camp but decided to return to Queen’s for a fifth season. That was a decision Bagg reached after being overlooked in the draft.
“I wanted to return to Queen’s and show everyone the mistake they had made,’’ Bagg said.
That decision ended up costing Bagg a chance at sharing in the Riders’ 23-19 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Grey Cup game.
That decision ended up costing Bagg a chance at sharing in the Riders’ 23-19 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Grey Cup game.
“The only questionable judgment he has made in the last five years was to come back the year the Riders won the Grey Cup,’’ said Pat Sheahan, Bagg’s head coach with the Queen’s Golden Gaels. “We were glad that he came back but in the big picture to have gone to the dance with the Riders would have been a special time. Still, all of the good things that are happening to him as an athlete are a tribute to the kind of person he is and how hard he works. I love it when a plan comes together and the story ends up good.’’
Bagg re-signed with the Riders in 2008 and has emerged as a solid and, at times, spectacular member of the receiving corps. In 2008, Bagg had 22 receptions for 371 yards without scoring a touchdown. This season, he has 37 receptions for 544 yards and three touchdowns. Bagg also has two one-handed grabs among those 37 receptions.
“All of Rob’s catches are his best because they have all extended our drives,’’ said Riders slotback Jason Clermont, who feels that Bagg has played well enough to earn consideration as one of the league’s top Canadians. “He gets pretty excited when he comes back into the huddle. He gets the team jacked up.’’
Bagg’s favourite reception came against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Aug. 16. Seconds after hauling in a 17-yard pass from quarterback Darian Durant, Bagg was hammered by Hamilton’s Jeff Bradley. Bagg maintained possession despite the violent collision between the players.
“Every time that I touch the ball I get excited,’’ said Bagg, who jumped to his feet after the play.
“Every time that I touch the ball I get excited,’’ said Bagg, who jumped to his feet after the play.
“The hit against Hamilton is my favourite because we were driving back against them. That was a lot of fun.’’
It has been a great deal of fun for Bagg, and it helps that Bagg, 24, fits in so well with the other young receivers on the Riders like Weston Dressler, Johnny Quinn and Chris Getzlaf.
“Last year there was a lot of young receivers on the team,’’ said Bagg. “We lived together, so we hung around each other quite a bit. They are all good guys and we would be friends with them whether we played football or not.’’
The relationship extends to Durant. Bagg usually plays the wide side of the field, which is among the most challenging throws for even the strongest-armed pivot to complete. Bagg is averaging 14.7 yards per reception and is 13th in the league in receiving yards.
“Rob and I have been working really hard at developing a relationship that I can go out there at any time,’’ said Durant. “When you have a guy out there as talented as Rob, you want to give him the ball.’’
Durant still finds it unbelievable that Bagg was overlooked on draft day.
“He’s a tremendous talent and his work effort is off the charts,’’ said Durant. “He’s a wonderful guy and that makes you want to get closer to him and help him succeed. If I can do anything to help make him a better football player I will do it because I know how much he loves the game.’’
Regardless of his early success, Bagg is striving to improve.
Regardless of his early success, Bagg is striving to improve.
“I’m happy with the way things are going but in no way am I satisfied,’’ said Bagg. “Every time we make a play is another opportunity for another play. Whenever one guy gets a touch, it’s a chance for another player to get one. That’s the way we look at it and it’s just worked out that I’m getting a lot of them.’’
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