It appears that the first domino in the Roughriders offseason could soon fall.
Riders head coach Craig Dickenson made his weekly appearance on the SportsCage on Monday with Michael Ball. Dickenson confirmed the team has spoken with three candidates about the team’s vacant offensive coordinator position. Two more interviews are set to take place during the beginning of this week.
The Riders head coach is hoping to begin the process of choosing the new coordinator later this week.
When interviewing prospective candidates, Dickenson feels it’s a great opportunity for himself to learn more about the offensive philosophies from other teams across the league.
“I just think when you operate in a bubble you don’t get a perspective on what other people do or what organizations do. ”
Joining Dickenson accessing the possible coordinator candidates last week were general manager, Jeremy O’Day, assistant general manager Kyle Carson and other members of the coaching that were in town.
Each candidate had the same guidelines heading into the respective interviews, but the Riders head coach noted that each conservation takes a life of their own. Dickenson says that there was one main thing that they’re looking for from each candidate.
“You just want to know a general philosophy that they have and what an offence is going to look like under their direction. ”
One person that had an interview with the Roughriders recently was Calgary Stampeders quarterbacks coach Marc Mueller. The Regina native left a good impression on Dickenson.
“He’s got a very high football IQ, you can just see it right away when you start visiting with him.”
——
Receiver is one position that could see some changes in 2023, with several players set to become free agents as well, Kian Schaffer-Baker can look around at possible NFL options. It was reported that Schaffer-Baker has already worked out with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Dickenson thinks the 24 year old took another step in 2022 especially in the yards after catch department.
“We brought him into the backfield and handed him the ball a couple of times. He grew, he went from a 7/10 to a 8.5/10 in year two, we’re hoping he can take another step in year three.”
Schaffer-Baker’s is under contract with the Riders for 2023 if no NFL options arise this winter.
—
Reflecting on a disappointing season, the Great Falls, Montana native knows there are areas that he can improve on in 2023.
Delivering the team’s objective to the players earlier in the week is something that Dickenson wants to work on.
He said that this is something that came up a lot during the exit meetings and feels that establishing the goals at the beginning of the week will help the players do a better job of preparations during practice.
” Having some key points early in the week, each week, we’re going to do this, that and the other thing, and also having in general, this what Rider football is all about and making sure guys compete to that level and guys hold up to that standard.”
