LOOKING FOR WIN NO. 2
Riders ready to take on Alouettes
MONTREAL Major Culbert will need an introduction before the Saskatchewan Roughriders play the Montreal Alouettes on Friday at Percival Molson Stadium.
Culbert is listed as the Riders’ starting defensive halfback after only joining the CFL team on Monday. It helps that Culbert is familiar with the Riders’ defensive scheme after playing with the Toronto Argonauts in 2013.
Toronto’s defensive co-ordinator at the time was Chris Jones, who is the Riders’ head coach, general manager and vice-president of football operations in addition to moonlighting as the defensive co-ordinator. “Chris is a great guy and I reached out to him to see if he would give me another shot,’’ the 28-year-old Culbert said after the team arrived Thursday.
Jones suggested that Culbert attend a tryout camp in Las Vegas and invited him to the team’s minicamp in Vero Beach, Fla. Culbert then returned to his Los Angeles home and waited for a call.
The call came on the weekend and the Riders announced Culbert’s signing on Monday. The media release also indicated that the Riders had cut veteran defensive back Brandon McDonald, who was burned twice for long touchdowns by Brad Sinopoli in the Riders’ 3029 win over the Ottawa Redblacks on July 22.
The similarities between the defensive system that Jones operated with the Argonauts and now with the Riders have eased Culbert’s transition into a starting role.
“It has the same terminology in what he likes to get done on defence,’’ said Culbert, who has been out of football since his stint with the Argonauts. “I’m in great shape and there wasn’t a day that I don’t work out.’’
It will be an adjustment for Culbert because he hasn’t played a game since Nov. 1, 2013, when he registered six defensive tackles in Toronto’s 23-20 loss to the Alouettes. It was Culbert’s third and final game with Toronto.
Despite the long break between games, Culbert is ready to face the Alouettes. “I’ve been watching all of the CFL games, just hoping for a shot,’’ Culbert said.
Culbert’s signing marked a reunion with Riders quarterback Mitchell Gale, who is slated to make his second CFL start with Darian Durant on the sideline with a sprained left ankle.
Gale and Culbert were teammates at Abilene Christian University in 2009 and again in 2013 with the Argonauts. Gale was one of Toronto’s backup quarterbacks during the 2013 season. “He has been in the system before, but he’s not going to get the nod because of that. He has definitely earned the right to start,’’ Gale said.
NOTES: Injuries have taken their toll on the Riders’ offensive line. Guard Brendon LaBatte (head) and tackle Xavier Fulton (shoulder) were added to the six-game injured list on Thursday. They join guard Chris Best (undisclosed), who has been on the six-game injured list since the season started. The only offensive lineman to start all four games this season is right tackle Thaddeus Coleman. Listed as Friday’s starters are tackles Marcus Hall and Coleman, guards Kennedy Estelle and Josiah St. John and centre Andrew Jones … Defensive back Buddy Jackson and specialteamer Graig Newman were also placed on the six-game injured list with undisclosed injuries.