Rams’ Richards pleased with four-down debut

Addison Richards proved to be a reliable target at the 2015 East-West Shrine Game.

The University of Regina Rams wide receiver caught both passes that were thrown his way Saturday in St. Petersburg, Fla., registering gains of 11 and eight yards.

“As a receiver, whenever the ball comes your way, you just want to make a play on it and try to get whatever yards you can, and that’s what I did,’’ said Richards, who was the second-leading receiver on the West team, which lost 19-3 to the East.

“On special teams, I think I showed that I was physical and that I am fast enough. Overall, I am happy with how it went.’’

Richards was one of two CIS players who received invitations to the 90th annual showcase of elite graduating college football players. Western University defensive lineman Daryl Waud was the other Canadian participant.

Like Waud, Richards had to get accustomed to playing four-down football on a narrower field.

“It was different,’’ Richards said with a chuckle. “When it was third down, I was thinking, ‘Oh, wait. We’ve got one more down.’

“I was one of the cover guys on the punt team and, just for a split-second, I thought, ‘I have to give five yards.’ Then I remembered, ‘Nope, I don’t have to.’ ’’

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Richards is the ninth-ranked prospect for the 2015 CFL draft, as determined by the league’s scouting bureau. He set U of R Rams singleseason records for catches (55) and receiving yards (918) in 2014.

In order to carry the success into the pro level, Richards wants to work on several facets of his game, such as his route-running and quickness.

“I have a definite idea of what I have to work on going forward,’’ he said. “Obviously, the scouts were all over the place (at the Shrine Game), and there’s beat writers who write about every single period of practice, which is kind of crazy that they’re analyzing it that much.

“There was a general consensus of things that I have to work on, so I’ll go back to the drawing board and plan and get to work Monday morning.’’