New Riders’ QB prospect also a defensive back
SASKATOON The Saskatchewan Roughriders have giveth and taketh one away at the quarterback position. Sort of.
After the Riders released international pivot Marquise Williams on Monday, former Auburn Tigers quarterback Nick Marshall — who is trying out for the Roughriders at cornerback — took reps at the QB spot during Tuesday ’s training camp session at the University of Saskatchewan.
Rather than donning the black jersey that quarterbacks wear, Marshall was still wearing his green No. 24 when he took snaps behind centre.
“He (Marshall) led the nation (NCAA) in rushing, so we’ll just take a look at him,” said Riders head coach and GM Chris Jones, who has several players in camp who can play both sides of the ball.
As far as Jones is concerned, any versatility helps, even if it means playing different positions on either offence or defence.
“Versatile players, on a small roster, help you breathe a little bit easier when you have an injury to a position,” noted Jones, who cited Marshall, Duron Carter and Christion Jones as players who can line up on both sides of the ball.
Carter has played both receiver and defensive back in the same game for the Riders. Jones is a kick returner, running back and defensive back.
Carter was wearing his white jersey from offence early in Tuesday ’s session when he picked off a pass from Zach Collaros. Later, Carter donned a solid green shirt over top so it wasn’t quite so confusing and unfair.
Saskatoon Hilltops linebacker Cody Peters is getting an extended look at Rider training camp — at the safety position.
“He plays very fast,” Jones noted. “He comes at you. He’s not afraid to move up on the play.
“Certainly he’s a type where body-type wise we can use him.”
While Peters has stuck around, Hilltops defensive back Colton Holmes is no longer at camp.
On Tuesday, the Roughriders activated national kicker Tyler Crapigna, national long snapper Jorgen Hus and national fullback Spencer Moore.
Hus is a Saskatoon product. It was the team’s first practice since releasing quarterback Marquise Williams, international defensive back Sam Williams, international running back Josh McPhearson and international defensive lineman Justin Horton on Monday.
Time ran out on Williams, who watched David Watford and B.J. Daniels move past him on the depth chart.
“He had been here a year and we certainly appreciate him,” Jones said of Williams. “We love him and he’s a good guy, but we can’t play everybody. It was not only a game evaluation but a camp evaluation.”
Not that any of the QBs looked particularly great in Edmonton on Sunday.
“None of them played great,” Jones said. “You certainly can’t throw it (right) to the opponents. When we’re backed up two scores, we can’t put the ball on the ground. We’ve got work to do there with those young quarterbacks. If it’d be easy, everybody would be doing it.”
Speaking of QBs, a few eyes were opened when a rushing defender, Rudy Johnson, clipped the throwing arm of projected No. 1 pivot Collaros while scrimmaging late Tuesday morning.
When somebody bumps into a quarterback, inadvertently or not, that’s a definite no-no in camp.
“You can’t do that,” Jones said. “It’s professional football. It’s inexcusable. I’ve got to coach it better and we’ve got to execute that part of our practice better.”
Receivers definitely had a case of the dropsies during Tuesday’s practice. Veterans and rookies alike were guilty.
Some of the drops were on catchable balls; others were errant throws. Strong wind played a little havoc, too.
“The first time they get a wind like that, they have to understand it,” Jones said.
“We get wind at our place (Mosaic Stadium). Winnipeg gets wind at their place. Certainly Hamilton is probably the biggest indicator of the wind; to have to learn how to play going with it and going against it.
“It was certainly good to get it in.”
Instead of Murray’s Monster, we give you Darren’s Dynamo for the day:
Running back Zac Stacy looked really good during Tuesday’s session.
He got a lot of touches and made things happen.