Excitement builds over quality of receivers
Kevin Glenn used one word to describe the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ receiving corps.
“Awesome,” the veteran quarterback said during the recent CFL Week festivities in Regina.
“With this receiving corps, everyone can’t play at the same time, so there may be some guys who are considered backups, but they would be starters on another team,” Glenn added. “It’s like a kid in a candy store for a quarterback when you get those kind of guys. They are guys who go after the ball when it’s in the air. They’re aggressive. I’ve played with some of them, so I know what kind of ability they have and how they can make special plays on the field.”
The number of receivers (14) bodes well for the Riders in 2017, especially compared to 2016 when Naaman Roosevelt was the lone international threat among the receivers. Roosevelt was the team’s leading receiver with 76 receptions for 1,095 yards, despite missing the final seven games of the regular season with a knee injury.
Roosevelt, who signed a twoyear contract extension with the Riders on Nov. 3, is already looking forward to the 2017 season.
“I talked to (head coach and general manager) Chris Jones and he was excited about bringing some guys in for competition,’’ said Roosevelt, one of 10 international receivers on the Riders’ roster. “He’s brought in talent and everyone needs talent.”
The international holdovers from 2016 are Ricky Collins Jr., Joe Craig, Armanti Edwards and Caleb Holley. Joining them are Duron Carter, Bakari Grant, Chad Owens, Kadron Boone and Thomas Mayo. The returning nationals are Rob Bagg, Nic Demski and Joshua Stafford.
Mitchell Baines, who led U Sports in catches (65) and receiving yards (984) in 2016 with Ottawa, was recently signed by the Riders.
“There will be a lot of competition (at training camp) and a lot of work, which I have been putting in this whole off-season just to get out there,” Roosevelt said.
The Riders have a mix of veteran receivers and those looking to make their mark at the professional level.
Carter, who is among the league’s most-skilled receivers, is six-footfive and adds size to the receiving corps.
Grant is a six-year CFL veteran who had 44 receptions for 625 yards in 10 regular-season games with the Calgary Stampeders in 2016.
Owens, who is expected to serve as the Riders’ primary returner, can also contribute as a receiver. He had 58 receptions for 808 yards and five touchdowns with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2016, despite being limited to 12 games by injury.
“Looking at all of the names, I have a tremendous amount of respect for those guys and I’m excited to play with them,” said Bagg, who had 57 catches for 658 yards and a team high four touchdowns last season.
“On the other side, you’re trying to figure out how you’re going to get the football yourself. When I’ve been in Saskatchewan and our receiving corps has been among one of the better ones in the league, it’s because we distribute the ball relatively evenly. You’re always going to have some guys who get the ball more, but everyone eats and everyone is involved and we play well for each other.’’