Simon set to make debut
After 14 CFL seasons, Geroy Simon is set to experience something new.
The former Winnipeg Blue Bombers and B.C. Lions receiver will come out of a dressing room at Mosaic Stadium, trot onto Taylor Field ... and likely hear cheers.
“I hope (the reception) will be warm,” Simon said Wednesday, after the Saskatchewan Roughriders — the veteran slotback’s new team — completed their preparations for tonight’s pre-season game against the Calgary Stampeders.
“I’ve had so many not-so-warm receptions coming here as an opponent, but now I’m a member of the Riders and I know the way (the fans) cheer for their team. I’m really excited to be here and to be a part of this team.”
“... NOW I’M A MEMBER OF THE RIDERS AND I KNOW THE WAY (THE FANS) CHEER FOR THEIR TEAM. I’M REALLY EXCITED TO BE HERE AND TO BE A PART OF THIS TEAM.”
GEROY SIMON
Simon spent his first two CFL seasons with Winnipeg before trying his luck in the NFL. In October of 2001, he signed with B.C. and remained with the Lions for 12 seasons.
He finished the 2012 campaign as the CFL’s career leader in regular-season receiving yards with 15,787, having caught 989 passes and 100 touchdown tosses over 223 career games.
But Lions general manager Wally Buono wanted Simon to accept a reduced role at a reduced salary in 2013. When the sides couldn’t reach an agreement in either area, Buono put Simon on the trading block — and the Roughriders pounced.
Saskatchewan sent practice-roster receiver Justin Harper and a third-round pick in the 2014 CFL draft to the Lions for Simon on Jan. 24. Now, five months later, the 37-year-old receiver is to make his home debut.
Asked Wednesday if he felt like a rookie, he demurred.
“Nah, not quite like a rookie,” replied Simon, who didn’t play in the Roughriders’ pre-season opener Friday against the host Edmonton Eskimos. “This is all new to me, but I feel comfortable, I feel prepared and ready to start this thing off.”
So is Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant, who’s eager to see Simon in green and white in a game for the first time.
“He’s a guy that has been terrorizing us since my career began,” Durant said, “so I’m just looking forward to having him on our side — and he’s going to be a big impact on our offence.”
Durant and Simon admitted they have to work on their timing and chemistry, but both suggested the process has gone well during the Roughriders’ mini-camp in Florida in April and during training camp in Saskatoon.
However, talking about plays and practising against Saskatchewan’s defence can only go so far in that process. Going at game speed against Calgary’s starting defence will give a better indication of where the tandem is at.
Roughriders head coach Corey Chamblin, meanwhile, suggested Simon is like a rookie because he’s on a new team, he’s in his first year in Saskatchewan and he has yet to play a game with the Roughriders. As a result, he has work to do.
“He needs to get his timing down with his teammates and make sure he’s good with all the waggles and all the cadences and all those things,” Chamblin said. “I think after a while the more he does it in a game, then it will become more like he’s a veteran again.
“But there’s some things that he still has to learn, including the system, to see where he is. I expect him to learn those things. I’m not expecting a 100-plus-yard game from him (tonight). I’m expecting him to be solid and to make some strides there.’’
The game tonight also could be Simon’s first chance to prove that he still has gas in the tank, but he isn’t feeling any stress to prove himself to his new teammates, the team’s fans or others in the CFL.
“Not that it’s any pressure, but I want to go out and play well,” he said. “That’s my expectations.
“That’s what I prepare for in the off-seasons and in training camp. I prepare to come out here and play at a high level. If I don’t play at a high level, there’s no need in me being here.”
Simon noted he wanted to come to Saskatchewan because of the atmosphere created by the fans’ feelings toward the players, so he hopes to feel the love tonight when he takes the field for the first time as a Roughrider.
It’s not the first time he has debuted with a new team, having gone through a similar situation in 2001 when he played his first game with the Lions. But Simon believes tonight’s contest will be different.
“Coming here, it’s going to be special,” he said. “My first game in B.C., there was like 12,000 fans. I think there will be a few more here (tonight).”