Willy, ex-coach Barrett maintain ties
REGINA — Rookie quarterback Drew Willy wasn’t unfamiliar with the Saskatchewan Roughriders when he arrived in Regina.
Willy learned of the CFL team from former head coach Danny Barrett, who spent seven seasons as the Riders’ head coach before being fired after the 2006 season. Barrett then joined the University of Buffalo where he was the quarterbacks coach from 2007 through 2009. Willy, second on the Riders’ quarterback depth chart behind starter Darian Durant, worked with Barrett in his final two seasons with the Bulls.
“He told me that he used to be the head coach here back in the day,’’ said Willy, who was a four-year starter with Buffalo at quarterback from 2005 through 2008. “Before I came up here, I asked him a lot of questions. He has helped me through a lot of things and he’s always checking up on me.’’
Willy is in regular contact with Barrett, who is heading into his second season as the running backs coach with the University of Central Florida Knights.
“We built a really good relationship and I trust him a lot,’’ Willy said.
“He told me some things to work on during the offseason just to deal with the CFL game. He’s always there for advice.’’
Barrett’s experience wasn’t limited to coaching in the CFL. He played in the CFL for 15 seasons as a quarterback with the Calgary Stampeders, Toronto Argonauts, B.C. Lions and Ottawa Rough Riders. Barrett shared some of those experiences with Willy at Buffalo and offered more advice after training camp ended about being the backup quarterback.
“We always talked about competition at Buffalo,’’ Willy said. “He told me to keep working hard, study the playbook and be there mentally and physically. He said to do everything I could to be a good backup to Darian. If anything happens to Darian, I should be ready to go and to prepare like a starter.’’
Willy graduated as Buffalo’s most prolific passer. He established school records for career passing yards (8,748) and touchdowns (52) and completion percentage (64.2). In the final 20 games of his college career, Willy threw 36 touchdown passes and only six interceptions.
He wasn’t drafted by any NFL teams. He had stints with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers and New York Jets and the UFL’s Las Vegas Locomotives before signing with the Riders .
Willy, 25, earned the backup role after a strong preseason. He hasn’t attempted a pass yet in a regular-season game, but has converted all three short-yardage he has attempted.
“Any experience is good experience,’’ Willy said. “I’ve always felt being good in that short yardage is very important. Hopefully we can keep getting those first downs and keeping our offence on the field.’’ There were few offensive highlights in the Roughriders’ 17-1 win over the Edmonton Eskimos on Sunday.
There was one play early in the fourth quarter that contributed to some head scratching. It started when Eskimos returner Yamon Figurs misplayed a 71-yard punt from kicker Chris Milo. Figurs touched the ball at Edmonton’s 10-yard line and eventually retrieved it in the end zone, which led to many wondering why a safety wasn’t awarded to the Roughriders. Adding to the confusion was Edmonton’s Clinton Keith being penalized for an illegal block while Figurs was trying to corral the loose ball.
Tom Higgins, the CFL’s director of officiating, helped explain what led to Edmonton scrimmaging on its own five. No safety was awarded to the Riders because Figurs didn’t have possession of the football before entering the end zone.
The Roughriders were left with two options because the play ended in the end zone with a penalty. Head coach Corey Chamblin could have taken the single point and Edmonton would scrimmage the ball on its 35. The Riders could accept the penalty, which is assessed at Edmonton’s 10-yard line because the infraction took place in the end zone. An illegal block is a 10-yard penalty and it was reduced to half the distance to the goalline. Thus Edmonton ended up with the ball on its fiveyard line.
The play was reviewed at the CFL’s command centre in Toronto under a new rule introduced this season. The rule stipulates that all scoring plays are subject to review and the ruling on the field was confirmed. NOTES: Former Riders running back Wes Cates is the recipient of the 2011 Presidents’ Ring award. The award, voted on by the players and presented to Cates by president and CEO Jim Hopson on Sunday, recognizes the exceptional motivational and leadership skills on and off the field and the player’s commitment to community and charity events. Cates spent five seasons with the Riders. His contract wasn’t renewed after the 2011 season and he still makes his home in Regina … Tuesday’s practice was open to the public. Today’s and Thursday’s sessions will be closed.