Riders decide quickly when evaluating QBs
Harsh reality of camp is mistakes mean one player’s cut, other steps in
Time is valuable when it comes to evaluating quarterbacking prospects.
Jacob Huesman had eight days to show the Saskatchewan Roughriders what he was capable of during their CFL training camp in Saskatoon. However, Huesman struggled during Saturday’s Green and White game, completing only two of five pass attempts and losing a fumble.
On Monday, Huesman was released and was promptly replaced by Phillip Sims.
“One thing we don’t like to see is guys making mistakes over and over again,’’ Riders quarterbacks coach Jarious Jackson said after Monday’s practice at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.
“You feel bad for Jacob because I’m pretty sure that football is his life. Maybe down the road he will get an opportunity with another team and take full advantage of the chance. We just didn’t have the time right now and we have to move forward with the guys who we feel have a better understanding of the offence.”
It remains to be seen how deep Sims’ understanding of the offence is, considering that he was just added to the roster. The Riders feel comfortable with Sims, who had NFL stints with the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks before making his way to the CFL.
Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, said he talked to Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians before signing Sims.
“Bruce said he was tremendously intelligent, which is saying something because Bruce doesn’t compliment anyone,’’ Jones said. “It will be interesting to see what he brings to the football team.’’
The 23-year-old Sims brings size, at 6-foot-4 and 224 pounds.
“He’s a big dude,’’ Jackson said. “You look at the NFL now and the quarterbacks are like defensive linemen. They are just huge. (Sims) can sling the ball and he has a live arm. It’s about getting the things down between the ears.’’
The Riders recently acquired the rights to Sims from the Calgary Stampeders in a swap of negotiation-list players. Sims brings with him some NFL experience and a well-travelled resume from university.
He first attended the University of Alabama and dressed for the Crimson Tide’s 21-0 win over the Louisiana State Tigers in the 2012 Bowl Championship Series final. Sims transferred to Virginia in May of 2012 and later that year appeared in 12 games, throwing for 1,263 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions.
After being ruled academically ineligible at Virginia, Sims transferred to Winston-Salem State, but had to sit out the 2013 season due to the NCAA’s transfer rules. He dressed for 11 games in 2014, completing 118 of 198 passes for 1,560 yards and 15 touchdowns with only four interceptions.
“I actually had the journeyman label when I was in college, which is different,’’ Sims said. “Most guys don’t get that tag until they are in their third or fourth year of professional football and they have played for 10 teams.’’
Sims, who was waived by the Seahawks on April 16, didn’t know what to expect when he made the trip to Saskatchewan.
“It’s like I’m learning a whole new sport,’’ Sims said. “It’s very different with the rules, the motion, the shifts, the 12 guys and the wide field.
“(Monday) was like a whirlwind. It was like everything was moving side to side and north to south. I had stop myself, calm down and slow down because when things speed up around you, you speed up and you can’t do that as a quarterback.’’
The signing of Sims leaves with the Riders with five quarterbacks in camp. Darian Durant, Brett Smith, B.J. Coleman and Sims are under contract.
Nick Bynkoski of Acadia is part of the CIS quarterback internship program.
He’s a big dude. You look at the NFL now and quarterbacks are like defensive linemen. It’s about getting the things down between the ears.