DEFENSIVE END JEFFERSON FLYING HIGH IN TRAINING CAMP
Murray McCormick’s musings from Day 3 of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ training camp at the University of Saskatchewan:
■ Willie Jefferson has picked up where he left off in 2016, when the lanky defensive end was one of the Riders’ top defensive players after signing with the Green and White following an unsuccessful NFL tryout. Jefferson had eight tackles and three sacks in five regular-season games last year. Jefferson has been a force at training camp. He has stretched his six-foot-five frame to knock down passes and used his speed and agility to pressure quarterbacks. Jefferson’s best CFL season was in 2015, when he had 23 defensive tackles, six sacks and three forced fumbles with the Edmonton Eskimos. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he surpassed those totals in 2017.
■ Rookie quarterback Maty
Mauk earned the dubious distinction of being the first player cut when he was released Monday by the Roughriders. Mauk was in tough from the beginning of training camp. His signing was announced on May 25, which didn’t allow him much time to prepare for training camp. His lack of preparation was noticeable Sunday and he didn’t improve on Monday. The Riders then cut ties with Mauk, leaving them with Kevin Glenn, Bryan Bennett, Vince Young and Brandon Bridge as quarterbacks. The release of Mauk means more repetitions for each of the other quarterbacks, which can be a good thing.
■ Receiver Duron Carter earned
Murray’s Monster after switching roles during Tuesday’s practice. Carter connected with fellow receiver Jenson Stoshak on a 45-yard touchdown pass. After a lateral from quarterback Glenn, Carter rolled out to his right on the option play and hit a wide-open Stoshak in the numbers. The play showed off Carter’s versatility as a passer and an ability to deliver a spiral while wearing gloves.
■ The Riders welcomed offensive lineman Derek Dennis and Peter Dyakowski and slotback Bakari Grant on Tuesday. Dennis, the team’s prized free-agent signing, had been on the suspended list since the opening of training camp. Dennis and Grant were testifying at the preliminary hearing for the suspect charged in the murder of Mylan Hicks, who was killed outside a Calgary nightclub on Sept. 25. Grant was also on the suspended list due to the preliminary hearing. The Riders acquired Dyakowski from the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday for receiver Armanti Edwards. Dyakowski arrived in Saskatoon on Monday night and was at practice Tuesday. The offensive line has been a work in progress without Dennis and Dyakowski. Dennis was the starting left tackle, while Dyakowski took reps at left and right guard. The 33-year-old Dyakowski provides the Riders with depth and insurance along the offensive line.
■ Saskatchewan’s final pre-season game, against the host B.C. Lions on June 16, is to be televised by TSN. That is one of four pre-season games TSN will show. The pre-season schedule kicks off June 8 when the Ottawa Redblacks play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
■ Glenn was on a hot streak Tuesday after connecting on back-to-back touchdown passes to Naaman Roosevelt and Stoshak. Glenn has increased the gap between him and the other quarterbacks during training camp, leaving little doubt that the veteran should be the starter when the regular season begins.
■ Offensive tackle Thaddeus Coleman didn’t hold back after tailback Greg Morris broke free on a touchdown run. Coleman’s voice could be heard throughout the stadium as he celebrated the romp.
■ With regular long-snapper Jorgen Hus recovering from off-season wrist surgery, the Riders have been conducting auditions with backups to fill his role. Veteran guard Brendon LaBatte was among the prospects and didn’t have any issues delivering the ball on a series of place-kicks.