Pre-season game will put QB trio under microscope
Watford, Williams and Daniels have opportunity to step into No. 3 slot
Chris Jones isn’t looking for big things from the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ quarterbacks in Sunday’s pre-season game against the host Edmonton Eskimos.
The Roughriders’ head coach and general manager will be watching how each quarterback deals with the myriad smaller details that are part of running a CFL offence.
Jones’s checklist runs the gamut from the quarterback’s command of the offence to avoiding delayof-game penalties to preventing interceptions.
“They have to take care of the football and also get us in and out of the huddle,’’ Jones said during the Riders’ training camp.
“If they can do that with their limited number of opportunities, then maybe he has a chance.’’
Jones is expected to reveal his quarterback plans on Saturday.
Veterans Zach Collaros and Brandon Bridge aren’t expected to see much action at Commonwealth Stadium because the Riders are already familiar with what they have to offer.
The pre-season game is primarily an opportunity for backups David Watford, Marquise Williams and B.J. Daniels to step up.
“We’ve got two pre-season games and we have five guys that we’re trying to evaluate,’’ Jones said.
“They have to take advantage of their opportunity.’’
All of the quarterbacks have had opportunities during training camp and those performances will be included in the overall evaluation.
“The biggest thing with actual game experience is it’s live bullets,’’ quarterbacks coach Steve Walsh said.
“You’re going to take hits. You’re going to have guys that are reaching for the football and hitting your arm. You’re going to have bad plays and good plays that you have to respond to. Can you keep your composure and your poise through everything ? Can you slow the game down and go out and execute?”
Each of the quarterback prospects is looking forward to facing those challenges.
“You have to be able to take care of the ball and handle the game,’’ Daniels said.
“It’s just making sure that I’m consistent and taking care of the little things. If I do that, I will be OK.’’
Williams is heading into his second CFL pre-season game. In 2017, he played in the fourth quarter of a 25-25 tie with the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers, completing five of six passes for 38 yards.
“I’ll do whatever the coach tells me to do,’’ Williams said. “I won’t try to do anything spectacular, because I leave that to the other guys. If it’s a pass play, I’ll get the ball into the receiver’s hands and let him make a play. It’s all about not trying anything too fancy as a quarterback. I just want to have fun and enjoy the opportunity because they rarely come.’’
Jones has stressed there is an open competition for the starting quarterback’s position. Having said that, Collaros and Bridge have practised regularly with the starters. Williams, Daniels and Watford have primarily worked with prospects and are essentially competing to be third on the depth chart.
“I’m competing against myself every single day and that’s the only thing I can do at this point,’’ Daniels said. “I’m not worrying about outside factors or other people right now. I’m just trying to get into the motion, get the ball, and take care of it.’’
Watford closed out the last two months of the 2017 season on the Riders’ practice roster.
The short stint with the CFL team was a benefit.
“I was lost when I first got here because I didn’t know what was going on,’’ Watford said. “Now it’s starting to slow down and I’m thankful for that opportunity.’’
Walsh said that Sunday’s game will play a role in determining which of the quarterbacking prospects makes the active roster.
“We’re all being evaluated every day that we’re on the field,’’ Walsh said. “Sometimes you’re being evaluated for things off the field as well. It will be really exciting for everybody when we get the reps. Then they are a step closer to making the team or whatever happens next for them.’’