RIDERS’ CAMP
Not all fun and games for team veterans
Chad Owens and Bakari Grant share a love-hate relationship with training camp.
The veteran slotbacks enjoy the start of training camp because it’s another opportunity to play the game they love.
They also hate the pain and working through the two-a-days that are an integral, unavoidable part of Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp.
“You love training camp because all off-season you’ve been grinding and now you’re back with your guys,” Owens said. “Some are old and some are new and you get to start training for a new mission.
“Training camp is still a grind, but we’re all in it and we’re all in it together. At the same time, you’re all hurting.”
Grant, 30, spent most of the CFL off-season preparing for training camp. He did that knowing no matter how hard he worked out, there would still be discomfort when he stepped on the field.
“There is no way you can prepare for training camp and you can train as hard as you like,” Grant said. “It’s just a matter of getting over the mental side and understanding that everyone else is hurting, too.”
Over eight CFL training camps, Grant has learned there is more to the process than simply preparing himself for the regular season.
“A lot of it is informing the new guys on how things go and how they operate,” said Grant, a second-year Rider. “I had a talk with the guys about that training camp mentality. They are tired and they are hurting, but they can’t feel sorry for themselves. You came up here to make the team and you can’t do that by watching. You have to get involved.”
Owens, 36, is at his 10th CFL training camp. Through that period he has always assisted the newer players adapting to the Canadian game.
“I will give them some points and help them out because I’m not one of those veterans that is only looking out for himself,” Owens said. “Part of the reason why I’m here is to help the younger guys along, because you’re only as good as your weakest link. If someone can step in knowing they know everything they can, whether it’s from a coach or a tip from myself, we all win.”
Even though they are helping out younger players, veterans are still concerned about their own job. Grant said he never gets comfortable at training camp even though he was third on the team in receiving yards (1,033) and tied for third in touchdown catches (five) during the 2017 season.
“Just like a first-year player, I have to prove myself every day,” Grant said. “As an eight-year veteran, I have to prove when I come in that I still have it. The young guys have the film, but they have to prove they have the body and the explosiveness (during training camp). There is that constant competition.”
Owens opened training camp among the starting five receivers. It’s in contrast to 2017 when he was signed to primarily serve as the Riders’ returner. Those plans were shelved after he was sidelined for an extended period by the lingering effects of a broken foot he suffered in 2016.
When Owens did make his debut with the Roughriders, it was as a receiver — a role in which he was productive, despite the extended hiatus.
This year, Owens is among the fittest players on the roster, despite being the Riders’ oldest player. He hasn’t even considered slowing down as a means of saving himself for the regular season.
“I don’t know how to do that and it’s not in my DNA,” Owens said. “I’m a hard worker and this is my 14th year as a pro. You don’t get that by feeling like I’m taking a day off or I’ve earned the right to chill. I’m going to trust my coaches to take care of me. When I’m out there, I’m out there.
“It’s important and I’m going to do everything in my power to do what is right.”
I had a talk with the guys about that training camp mentality. They are tired and they are hurting, but they can’t feel sorry for themselves.