Bouka is learning new position
Elie Bouka isn’t just adjusting to the CFL after more than a twoyear absence from the Canadian game.
He’s also adapting to a new position with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who announced his signing on Wednesday.
The Riders selected Bouka in the third round (24th overall) of the 2016 CFL draft even though he had already signed a free-agent contract with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.
“I was a corner in the NFL and I will be a safety in the CFL, so my vision will have to be a lot bigger,’’ Bouka said after Thursday’s closed practice at Mosaic Stadium.
“There is great talent here and the guys are moving at a high level. It will be what it is, but learning a new position will be the biggest thing that I have to learn right now.’’
The learning curve shouldn’t be too steep for Bouka, who spent four seasons with the University of Calgary Dinos.
“He’s a tremendous athlete and he can play multiple positions,’’ said Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager.
“He can cover. He’s an extremely intelligent young man and he has like a photographic memory. He can spit stuff back to you immediately and he’s going to be a fun one.’’
It’s unlikely the Riders would have had a shot at drafting Bouka if not for an injury.
In 2015, he missed his final year of Canada West eligibility after suffering a ruptured Achilles. The injury was one of the reasons why he dropped in the CFL draft.
Bouka was impressive enough on film that the Cardinals signed him as a free agent. A hamstring injury led to him spending the 2016 NFL season on injured reserve.
He then suffered a sprained ankle early in the Cardinals’ 2017 training camp. The Cardinals released him on Aug. 1 after agreeing to an injury settlement.
“It was a good learning experience,’’ said the six-foot-one, 205-pound Bouka. “I was lining up to be on the 53-man roster and I was taking first- and second-team reps. Then I got hurt on the first day of training camp and that’s the unfortunate part of an ankle sprain. I learned a lot and they were ready to take me back and I will try to go back afterwards.’’
Bouka has dreamt of playing in the NFL even though he grew up in Laval, Que.
“From the age of six I’ve been talking about playing in the NFL,’’ Bouka said. “People thought I was crazy when I was younger. It was a goal that I thought that I could attain and the way it happened was pretty unbelievable. I had a torn Achilles and the Cardinals did their research and reached out. It was an unbelievable experience.’’
Since being released by the Cardinals, Bouka reportedly worked out with the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. He signed with the Riders because he needs to play football.
“I’ve heard a lot about coach Jones and what this defence does,’’ Bouka said. “He has sent a lot of guys back (to the NFL). I want to come here, learn a lot from him, learn from the system, hopefully dominate, and go back to the NFL because that’s my goal.’’
Bouka is expected to be on the active roster Sunday when the Riders play host to the Calgary Stampeders. He will see repetitions on special teams, but not likely on defence until he has been with the team longer.