Offence needs to get back in the game
Former Riders coach first heard name when he was with Packers back in 2001
Corey Chamblin knew of TORONTO Kevin Glenn before the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ quarterback became a familiar name in the CFL.
Chamblin — Saskatchewan’s head coach from 2012 to the midpoint of 2015 — first heard of Glenn in 2001 while Chamblin was a defensive back with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.
Chamblin said Sam Young, a teammate with the Packers, kept talking about Glenn and how the Illinois State University quarterback was headed to the Roughriders. Young and Glenn were teammates at Illinois.
“I remember thinking: ‘Who the heck is Kevin Glenn?’ and I didn’t give it any more thought,’’ Chamblin said. “Still, I’ve known about Kevin Glenn since 2001 and even before coming to the CFL.’’
Fast-forward to 2017 and Glenn is in his third stint with the Riders, while Chamblin is the Toronto Argonauts’ defensive co-ordinator. The two are to meet on Saturday at BMO Field.
Chamblin isn’t surprised that Glenn is still in the CFL — 17 years after first hearing of the recordsetting collegiate quarterback.
“Kevin has had a super-quick release for years,’’ Chamblin said. “Even years ago, Kevin couldn’t run so he has never lost a step. He still has that super-quick release and he’s super smart. I definitely know he will continue to play and, if his body holds up, he can do it.’’
Chamblin and general manager Brendan Taman were fired on Aug. 31, 2015 after the Riders lost their opening nine regular-season games. Chamblin, who led the Riders to a 45-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2013 Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium, had been out of football since being fired by the Riders.
He returned to the CFL during the off-season after Marc Trestman was hired as Toronto’s head coach. The Argonauts, who missed the playoffs in 2016, are enjoying a resurgence under Trestman. They carry a 7-7 record into Saturday’s game against the 7-6 Riders.
Toronto can clinch a playoff berth with a win.
Part of the reason for Toronto’s improvement is the performance of the defence. Some of the credit goes to Chamblin, who has returned to his coaching roots on the defensive side of the ball.
“The culture has been set from the top,’’ Chamblin said. “Even though Marc is an offensive head coach, he is super huge on everyone running to the ball on offence and defence and that’s his mentality. It’s easier to have guys run to the ball when the head coach is backing you because he sees the same thing.’’
Chamblin has been studying more than the play of the 38-yearold Glenn. Chamblin has also been impressed with the performance of Saskatchewan’s receivers.
“They have receivers who are tall and huge,’’ Chamblin said. “Naaman (Roosevelt) has really grown a lot since we brought him in from Buffalo a few years back. It’s just growth with those guys and they have a good crew back there.’’
Chamblin praised the play of the Riders’ offensive line and the addition of former NFL running back Trent Richardson. Richardson, the third-overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, is to make his first CFL start against the Argonauts.
“He’s another big back and another headache,’’ Chamblin said. “Now you have to play the run on first downs so it will be a test for us to stop him.’’