Big battles being waged in trenches at mini-camp

Mutterings, meanderings and musings from Day 2 of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ mini-camp at Historic Dodgertown:

IN THE TRENCHES

The mini-camp warriors are in the trenches where the offensive and defensive linemen butt heads on a regular basis through the 4 ½ -hour sessions. Contact is made on each line rush, whether it’s a punch to the chest or a swim move around an offensive lineman.

Coaches and trainers pay a lot of attention to making sure the big men take numerous water breaks.

It’s fun to watch the big guys going against each other.

MURRAY’S MONSTERS

On offence, quarterback Jake Heaps made huge strides after looking uncomfortable and uncertain about the playbook on Day 1.

On Wednesday, he looked poised while making reads. He also interacted more with the other quarterbacks and was even seen instructing receivers on which patterns to run.

On defence, Tobi Antigha started mini-camp as a defensive lineman. He’s since seen action at linebacker and on special teams.

He could be another project for head coach Chris Jones because Antigha played receiver in college. Jones likes versatile players and Antigha fits that description.

YOUNG ON THE MOVE

Vince Young showed some of his mobility during a skeleton drill. The six-foot-five, 232-pound quarterback jogged through the middle of the defence after all the receivers were covered. He dwarfed the smaller defenders, who then all slapped hands with the former NFL and Texas Longhorns star quarterback after the play was completed.

HOT HANDS

Receiver Desmond Reece, a product of the Tuskegee University of Golden Tigers, has exhibited breakaway speed and sure hands. At five-foot-10 and 172 pounds, Reece is on the smallish side. He makes up for that with his ability to find open space.