Stevie Baggs story in Arizona
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
ROB BAGG BACK WITH THE RIDERS
REGINA — A broken collarbone was a break of another sort for Rob Bagg.
Despite suffering the painful injury on the Saskatchewan Roughriders' final offensive play of the 2009 Grey Cup, the 25-year-old wide receiver has turned an adverse situation into a positive.
"(The collarbone) feels great,'' Bagg said on Wednesday after the CFL's Roughriders announced that he had signed a contract extension calling for two years plus an option. "It kind of worked out as a blessing, at least the way I'm looking at it, because I worked out solely with my legs for two months before I could use my upper body. The bone has healed nicely and my upper-body strength is back to where it was last year.
"(The collarbone) feels great,'' Bagg said on Wednesday after the CFL's Roughriders announced that he had signed a contract extension calling for two years plus an option. "It kind of worked out as a blessing, at least the way I'm looking at it, because I worked out solely with my legs for two months before I could use my upper body. The bone has healed nicely and my upper-body strength is back to where it was last year.
"My upper-body strength feels good and I'm faster than I was last year. The more I play football, the more I realize that it's all about speed, so the faster you can get, the better.''
Bagg's assessment of his increased speed is not based on the clock, being that he has not been timed lately in the 40-yard dash.
Bagg's assessment of his increased speed is not based on the clock, being that he has not been timed lately in the 40-yard dash.
"It's more just a feeling of confidence, feeling like you have that burst off the line,'' he said.
Bagg burst into prominence in 2009 as a CFL sophomore, catching 59 passes for 807 yards and five touchdowns in 18 regular-season games. He was also named the Roughriders' outstanding Canadian.
Bagg burst into prominence in 2009 as a CFL sophomore, catching 59 passes for 807 yards and five touchdowns in 18 regular-season games. He was also named the Roughriders' outstanding Canadian.
The only downside was the latter stages of the Grey Cup. Shortly after Bagg was injured, the Montreal Alouettes marched into position to attempt a game-winning field goal. Damon Duval's initial kick from 43 yards was wide, triggering a momentary celebration by the Roughriders, but the West Division champions were called for too many men on the field. Duval's second attempt, from 10 yards closer, split the uprights and gave Montreal a 28-27 victory.
"I wouldn't say it was any worse for me than anyone else,'' Bagg said. "Obviously, it was a day that I don't want to forget, because I think there's things we can learn from it. We have to play a full 60 minutes and close the door when we have the opportunity. I'm definitely looking forward to getting another opportunity at that, hopefully this year, and finishing the deal.''
That is one reason why it was important for Bagg to finish the deal that was announced Wednesday. The Queen's University product was entering his option year before receiving the contract extension.
That is one reason why it was important for Bagg to finish the deal that was announced Wednesday. The Queen's University product was entering his option year before receiving the contract extension.
"I just wanted to make sure that I was going to be part of the Rider picture for the next three years,'' Bagg said. "I feel really optimistic about the type of team we're going to have. The Riders are a first-class organization and I just wanted to ensure that I was going to be a part of that for a few more years.''
Bagg will be part of an offence that should have an array of weapons. The receiving corps includes proven performers such as Bagg, Weston Dressler, Andy Fantuz, Jason Clermont, Chris Getzlaf and Prechae Rodriguez. They will work with quarterback Darian Durant, who recently signed a contract extension after being named a West Division all-star in 2009 — his first full season as a starter.
"I think we have the type of personalities among those guys (in the receiving corps) that we understand that individual success is going to come with team success,'' Bagg said. "I don't think we're going to have anybody who is demanding to touch the ball more. Darian spreads the ball around naturally. I think everyone's going to be put in position to make plays and that's all you can ask for.''
That said, he wouldn't mind adding another trip to the Grey Cup to the list.
"I don't think that there's any reason why we can't be back there this year,'' Bagg said. "The way that the Riders run an organization, I think that we should be good every single year.''
"I don't think that there's any reason why we can't be back there this year,'' Bagg said. "The way that the Riders run an organization, I think that we should be good every single year.''
BAGG SIGNS EXTENSION
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today non-import wide receiver Rob Bagg has signed a two-year plus an option contract extension with the team. Financial details of the signing were not released.
Bagg is heading into his third season with the Riders after originally signing with the team as a free agent in May, 2007. The Queen's product has tallied 81 receptions for 1,178 yards and five touchdowns in 34 regular season games played for the Green and White.
In 2009, Bagg established himself as one of the CFL's top Canadian receivers as he finished the year with 59 receptions for 807 yards and five touchdowns in 18 regular season games. Bagg was set to head into his option year with the Riders this season.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
GEORGE REED TO BE HONOURED
By Rob Vanstone Sat, Apr 10 2010 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings
Saskatchewan Roughriders legend George Reed will be honoured May 12 by receiving a Distinguished Canadian Award.The presentation will be made by the Seniors University Group and Seniors Education Centre, which is presenting the Distinguished Canadian Award for the 26th time.Reed will also be the guest speaker at the award dinner.Doors open at 5:30 p.m., at the Delta Hotel. Supper will be served at 6 p.m.Tickets are available for $60 each or $450 for a corporate table of eight until May 5. To order tickets, call 585-5816.
Saskatchewan Roughriders legend George Reed will be honoured May 12 by receiving a Distinguished Canadian Award.The presentation will be made by the Seniors University Group and Seniors Education Centre, which is presenting the Distinguished Canadian Award for the 26th time.Reed will also be the guest speaker at the award dinner.Doors open at 5:30 p.m., at the Delta Hotel. Supper will be served at 6 p.m.Tickets are available for $60 each or $450 for a corporate table of eight until May 5. To order tickets, call 585-5816.
RIDER QUARTERBACKS ARE GREEN
Of the Saskatchewan Roughriders four quarterbacks, Darian Durant is the only one with Canadian Football League experience.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post files
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post files
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ quarterbacks are, appropriately enough, predominantly green in terms of development.
Of the four signal-callers who are under contract to the Riders, three have yet to play a down in the Canadian Football League. The signings of two of them — Cole Bergquist and Kent Smith — were confirmed Friday.
Darian Durant is the only Roughriders quarterback with any playing experience at the pro level. He was named a West Division all-star in 2009, his first full season as a starter. Not yet 28, he will likely be the youngest starting quarterback in the West this season.
Durant was the Riders’ quarterback of record in all 20 regular-season and playoff games in 2009. In so doing, he became the first Riders passer since Kent Austin (circa 1992) to start every game.
To a degree, the Roughriders’ brass is gambling that Durant will enjoy another injury-free season. But that is a tall order in a pass-oriented league in which the quarterback is routinely targeted by carnivorous pass rushers.
Durant is also one of the CFL’s elite running quarterbacks. He carried the football 60 times in 2009, averaging an eye-popping 8.4 yards per rush. Tack on 561 passing attempts and Durant was exposed to danger 621 times in the regular season. The figure, which does not include option plays that also leave the quarterback susceptible to injury, increases to 684 once two post-season games are factored into the equation.
As a result of Durant’s durability, understudies Steven Jyles and Dalton Bell were virtually welded to the sideline in 2009. Jyles, who is entering his fifth CFL season, signed as a free agent with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the hopes of receiving more playing time. Bell, last season’s third-stringer, was recently traded to the Toronto Argonauts.
Bergquist and Graham Harrell were also part of the Roughriders’ quarterbacking picture last season, which they spent on the practice roster. Harrell arrived in July, amid much fanfare, after enjoying a sensational college career at Texas Tech. Bergquist was also an accomplished collegian, albeit with considerably less exposure while piloting the offence at Montana. He landed in Saskatchewan two weeks before Harrell was introduced.
The only new arrival for 2010 is likely to be Smith — a 6-foot-5, 215-pound southpaw who was a two-year starter at Central Michigan. He had NFL stints with the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans before playing arena football last season with the Peoria Pirates.
Given the Roughriders’ makeup at football’s most crucial position, it is reasonable to wonder whether the dearth of experience will prove to be a liability.
The quick fix would be to place a telephone call to Kerry Joseph, who quarterbacked the Roughriders to the 2007 Grey Cup title two days after being named the league’s most outstanding player. Joseph, 36, was recently released by the Argonauts after two frustrating seasons with the Double Blue.
The Roughriders do not appear to be inclined to revisit the not-too-distant past — not at this juncture, anyway. Their preference is to groom young quarterbacks, even if some excruciating growing pains result.
Harrell’s presence is a huge factor. How often do the Roughriders land a quarterback with his credentials? For starters, his 134 touchdown passes are an all-time NCAA record. In 2008, he finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting, shared The Sporting News’ national player-of-the-year award with Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) and Colt McCoy (Texas), and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the NCAA’s outstanding senior quarterback.
The Riders simply had to find a way to move Harrell up the depth chart. Although they had hoped to re-sign Jyles, his departure and that of Bell clear the way for Harrell to at least don a green and white uniform this season. The same applies to Bergquist, whom the Riders view as an intriguing prospect due to his running and passing ability.
There is an element of risk in dressing an inexperienced No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback. However, players of that description have been known to come out of nowhere and make an imprint.
As a classic case in point, we present Darian Durant.
As a classic case in point, we present Darian Durant.
rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post
Thursday, April 1, 2010
10 QUESTIONS WITH TAD KORNEGEY
Riderville.com staff
The season of 2009 was a breakout one for Defensive Back turned Linebacker Tad Kornegay. The Fordham product set career highs in tackles (74), interceptions (3) and fumble recoveries (3).
The season of 2009 was a breakout one for Defensive Back turned Linebacker Tad Kornegay. The Fordham product set career highs in tackles (74), interceptions (3) and fumble recoveries (3).
After arriving in Saskatchewan from Hamilton in 2007, Kornegay quickly proved to be a versatile defensive back. Having the ability to line up and play at any of the five positions in the secondary.
His move to Linebacker came in 2009 under new defensive coordinator Gary Etcheverry. It was in this system as a full time starter that Tad was able to utilize his quickness, ball skills and sure tackling on his way to becoming a fan favourite and CFL Western Division All-Star.
We had a chance to catch up with the Riders All-Star and social media guru to ask him a few questions.
Where have you been spending the off-season?Majority of it in New Jersey, but I've been traveling a lot.
What have you been up to this off-season?I'm a personal Trainer at a gym called Test Sports Club. I have regular clients but I specialize in training guys getting ready for the NFL Combine or their NFL Pro-Days.
What was the first thing you did when the season ended?Bought a Car. It was Much needed.
What are you looking forward to most about getting back to playing?Finishing what we started last year. And seeing what defensive scheme Coach Etch comes up with this year.
What your favourite thing about being a Roughrider?The fans are insane like me! I fit in well here. There's no atmosphere like Rider Nation.
How do you feel about all the changes that have taken place in Riderville?All you can do is
accept them, believe in them, and wish for the best to come from it. I think it's a good look for our program.
What’s your favourite or best memory from college football?When i had 6 interceptions in 2 games. Yes i said 6! Thats not a typo. HahaWhat’s on your ipod right now?I'm a music Guru so everything!…But im loving Drake's Song called "Over" right now.
What’s the last movie you saw?Avatar. I'm slacking on movie attendance right now.What’s one thing that Rider nation doesn’t know about you?They pretty much know everything as long as they follow me on Twitter and Facebook. Rider Nation only. No Coaches. You will be blocked! haha.
In his five year CFL career, Tad had amassed an impressive 177 tackles, 46 special teams tackles, two quarterback sacks, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
In his five year CFL career, Tad had amassed an impressive 177 tackles, 46 special teams tackles, two quarterback sacks, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
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