LEADING THE OFFENCE
Burris says Glenn should start at QB
Henry Burris doesn’t envision a quarterback controversy within the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ ranks.
Even with the off-season addition of ex-NFLer Vince Young, Burris feels Kevin Glenn is the team’s only option to start at quarterback.
“If Vince Young is starting Week 1, then it’s not very good for (head coach and general manager) Chris Jones,” Burris said from his Ottawa home. “Kevin Glenn will start in Saskatchewan and I will say that right now.
“Kevin is a guy who has won wherever he’s been — some of the worst teams that he’s played for to some of the best. The guy continues to do that and (Glenn) is their best chance to win.”
Burris, who retired Jan. 24 after an 18-year CFL career, is in the Queen City on Friday as the guest speaker at the Regina Thunder Dinner of Champions at the Delta Regina.
The trade of veteran quarterback Darian Durant to the Montreal Alouettes on Jan. 13 is why the Riders are heading to camp with Glenn and Young as the headliners, along with Brandon Bridge, Bryan Bennett and newly signed Maty Mauk.
Glenn, who turns 38 on June 12, signed with the Riders on Jan. 22 and is preparing for his third stint with the Green and White. On March 9, the Riders announced the signing of Young.
Young, 34, hasn’t played in a regular-season game since 2011, when he was with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. He retired from professional football in 2014 after being released by the Cleveland Browns.
Fast forward to 2017 and Young is on the comeback trail. His onfield introduction to the CFL took place during Saskatchewan’s minicamp in Vero Beach, Fla.
Burris feels the experience gained by the former University of Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Titans star during mini-camp will be invaluable during the training camp, which kicks off Sunday in Saskatoon.
“Mini-camp gave him an idea of how serious football is up here or how serious it’s going to be and how good of shape that he’s going to have to be coming in,” Burris said. “The bullets haven’t even started to fire yet.
“(At mini-camp), there weren’t any defensive linemen, there weren’t any pads and the heat wasn’t a factor, like it will be in Saskatoon. There are a lot of elements in his mind that he doesn’t have a clear-cut idea of what it will be like, but he has a better example of what it could possibly be like.”
Burris played until age 41 and knows how much effort is required to be in football shape. While Burris was playing in actual games, Young was reportedly playing flag football.
“The clock is ticking for him because he’s in his early 30s and he has only so many years to make it happen,” Burris said.
Preparing for whatever happens with the Riders is another aspect to which Young will have to adapt.
“He’s going to have to get ready for the buzz that will happen around him before and after the ball has been snapped with an extra player on both sides of the ball,” Burris said. “He needs to stay humble, be a sponge and always continue to work hard. He has to spend more time in the film and weight room than any of the other guys.”
Spending time with Glenn is also advisable.
“It’s a huge bonus for him to have a guy like Kevin Glenn because technically (Young is) a rookie again,” Burris said. “Just like any rookie, having a veteran in front of him to teach him the ins and outs of the game is something any young guy needs.”
Burris feels it will be a credit to Young’s preparation and effort during training camp if he’s on Saskatchewan’s roster for Week 1. If not, it will be another example of how competitive the CFL is.
“It shows there are great players up here and it’s not a pushover league,” Burris said. “I’ve played in both leagues and I know the calibre of athletes on both sides. It will continue to prove that this is a bona fide league. We understand the dollars aren’t the same, but it doesn’t take away from the product on the field.”