RECEIVER IN FINE FORM
Roosevelt over knee injury
HAMILTON Some anniversaries are worth noting and others are worth ignoring.
Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback Naaman Roosevelt prefers the latter when it came to the recent one-year anniversary of a knee injury that sidelined him for the final seven games of the 2016 CFL season.
Roosevelt suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during the Riders’ 17-10 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sept. 10, 2016. He was injured during a game in which he led the Riders with seven receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown.
Fast forward to 2017 and Roosevelt has fully recovered from offseason surgery and is once again the Riders’ leading receiver.
“I feel good,” Roosevelt said in advance of Friday’s game against the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats. “I’m trying to stay healthy and I’ve done a good job of taking care of my body.”
Roosevelt was rolling in 2016 before being injured. In 11 regularseason games, he led the Riders in catches (76) and receiving yards (1,095).
He was on pace to surpass Saskatchewan’s single-season records for catches (123, by Don Narcisse in 1995) and receiving yards (1,715, Joey Walters, 1981). Roosevelt still finished the season as the Riders’ leading receiver.
In 2017, Roosevelt has picked up where he left off. He leads the Riders in catches (57) and receiving yards (840) and is second on the team in touchdown receptions (six).
On Saturday in Winnipeg, Roosevelt had a team-high 102 yards on four receptions, one of which was a 75-yard touchdown.
Roosevelt’s production is a result of his commitment to rehabilitating his injured joint during the off-season.
“It took a while to get back to being strong again,” Roosevelt said. “I’ve been healthy this whole season and I’m just trying to stay that way.”
A difference between this season and 2016 is there isn’t as much pressure on Roosevelt to be the Riders’ leading receiver. The additions of wide receiver Duron Carter and slotback Bakari Grant have added depth.
“I feel like our confidence level has grown as the year has gone on,” Roosevelt said.
“We had a little bit of confidence last year when things were going our way. This year, we just have so many things going our way and it’s just a bunch of people out there making plays. I feel that it has been an exciting year.”
Carter has added to that excitement with his production and personality. He leads the CFL with eight touchdown catches and is among the league’s most outspoken players. Roosevelt has no issue with ceding the spotlight to Carter.
“I just want to go out there, make plays, and help my team win,” Roosevelt said.
Who will start at quarterback is to be determined Friday, with Kevin Glenn’s status still in doubt. Glenn suffered a bruised right hand in Saturday’s 48-28 loss to the Blue Bombers.
Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, suggested whether Glenn plays will be up to the 38-year-old quarterback.
“He has to tell me that he’s ready to (play) and that he’s ready to throw,” Jones said. “Right now we’re waiting to see if that will happen.”
If Glenn isn’t available, Brandon Bridge would get the starting nod. Vernon Adams Jr. could also see some repetitions at quarterback.
Bridge said he watched Glenn during Thursday’s walk-through, noting the veteran pivot looked “pretty good” throwing with a glove on his injured hand.
“If the coaches do call on me, I’m prepared and ready,” Bridge said. “We’re all still waiting on what Kevin Glenn says.”
Roosevelt is prepared regardless of who is under centre. He has developed chemistry with Glenn and also has a good rapport with Bridge.
“Brandon and I have a good relationship and we talk all of the time,” Roosevelt said. “He has been taking first-team reps with us and I think we’ll be good.”
Roosevelt is also looking forward to playing the Tiger-Cats because he’s expecting a large group of supporters in Hamilton. Roosevelt hails from Buffalo, N.Y., which is 100 kilometres southeast of Hamilton.
“I’m excited for my family to see me play this year,” Roosevelt said. “My mom came to the Hamilton game (in Regina), but it will be good to see my family.”