Bagg acting as mentor to younger Riders receivers
Veteran willing to fulfil any role, but believes he can still make big plays
REGINA Rob Bagg was pleased to step onto Investors Group Field for his first play as a member of the 2018 Saskatchewan Roughriders — but there was a hitch.
In the first quarter against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sept. 8, Bagg was lined up with a group of receivers as the Roughriders prepared to attempt a hitch screen pass to Kyran Moore.
The pass was caught — but by Winnipeg ’s Anthony Gaitor, who read the telegraphed play, jumped the route, intercepted Zach Collaros, and sprinted 55 yards for a Blue Bombers touchdown.
“What a way to start,” Bagg, an 11th-year Roughrider, said with a chuckle on Wednesday.
“I got into my man and I was locking him up when I heard the crowd roar. As I turned back and I saw (Gaitor) returning it for a touchdown, I thought, ‘That was a hell of a start and I hope that I get one more play.’
“Fortunately, I got in for a couple more plays and made some big blocks and we won a big game there. That was a good day.”
The Riders went on to win 32-27 and extend their winning streak to four games. Bagg also dressed for Saskatchewan’s subsequent game — Saturday’s 30-25 loss to the visiting Ottawa Redblacks. As was the case in Winnipeg, though, Bagg wasn’t targeted for a pass.
Bagg is OK with his role — whatever that might be — as the Roughriders prepare for Saturday’s road game against the Toronto Argonauts.
“I’m having a good time and it’s good to be back playing with the guys and I’m trying to be a small part of our success here,” he said. “To be 4-and-1 in the weeks that I’ve been back here ... I feel that we’re doing some good things. We just have to rebound and regroup after the game against Ottawa and continue to improve as a team.”
Bagg attended training camp with the Roughriders, only to be slowed by an ankle injury and was released on June 10.
Despite the disappointment, Bagg continued to work out and ended up re-signing with the Riders on Aug. 15. He didn’t dress for the next three games, but has been on the active roster for the past two contests.
“I’ve worked pretty hard and I really do justify the work I put in because I feel like I can make some plays,” Bagg said. “Hopefully, one day I’ll get that opportunity. Until then, I will be supportive as I can. I’m just thankful and grateful to be playing on a good football team.”
Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, feels that Bagg has contributed to the Riders in a manner that transcend statistics.
“He has a significant role in that he has been a mentor and leader in our locker-room and our meeting room with our young receivers,” Jones said. “We have a really good core of young receivers and it’s good to have Rob letting them know exactly how things should be done with work habits, et cetera.”
Even though Bagg has yet to be targeted for a pass, “Rob knows what his role is and he’s going to be a pro regardless of what we ask him to do,” Jones said.
Bagg has caught 364 passes for 4,705 yards and 24 touchdowns in 141 regular-season games, dating back to 2008. Although he has yet to add to those totals, he accepts that helping younger receivers learn the nuances of the CFL comes with being part of a successful team.
“Whenever a new player comes in, we understand that we really can’t be as good as we want to be unless they understand what they have to do, and I feel that part comes naturally,” Bagg said.
“As far as being a full-time coach, I’m not really excited about that prospect yet. Being a mentor is cool. If people watch practice, I’m still running pretty good out there and I’m definitely excited about getting some playing time down the road.”
Note: Jones said that linebacker/ defensive back Matt Elam (hamstring) won’t play Saturday. With Elam sidelined, it’s expected Crezdon Butler will start at cornerback. Elam has 22 defensive tackles, two sacks and an interception in six games.