With two days remaining before the Saskatchewan Roughriders host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the team’s home opener, the mystique around the Roughriders starting quarterback continues to linger.
If anything, the intrigue intensified on Wednesday.
After a closed practice, Head Coach Craig Dickenson kept his cards close to his vest. He didn’t reveal who would be team’s quarterback on Friday.
Dickenson also didn’t specify on how much Harris practiced on Wednesday, but isn’t too concerned if Harris doesn’t see too much work ahead of the team’s Week 2 matchup against Winnipeg.
“He (Harris) needs the timing with his guys that’s for sure, but I don’t think he needs the reps that a younger quarterback would.”
Following Wednesday’s practice, the Roughriders injury report listed Harris as questionable with a hip injury.
Mason Fine spoke to media following practice and he is confident if he’s forced into action on Friday.
“I felt good this week, throwing the ball well, seeing the defence, it’s really good against our defence, they can make some plays, you know I’m going to go back and watch the practice and learn from it and get better for this upcoming Friday.”
Fine also believes that he is developing chemistry with the rest of the offence since the beginning of training camp.
“I even got better than where I was yesterday, so I’m going to learn from today and get better.”
The North Texas product added that there hasn’t been much discussion about the team’s plans this week at quarterback.
“We’ve been going through our routines with Coach (Kelly) Jeffrey, going over the game plan and going over the script in practice and running those plays and executing those and just trying to get better everyday during practice. ”
Even with a crowded quarterbacking room in Saskatchewan with the Roughriders carrying four quarterbacks at the moment, (Harris, Fine, Shea Patterson and Jake Dolegala) Fine feels that the entire group have worked together in the early portion of the season.
“We’re all friends, we try and help one another and we’re all in it together cause at the end of the day, we’re here for the team and try to win games and bringing back a championship.”
The 2022 season for the Roughriders ended with Fine as the team’s starting quarterback, as he started in place of Cody Fajardo for the team’s final two regular season games against the Calgary Stampeders. Fine had 364 passing yards and a touchdown during his two-game as the Saskatchewan starting quarterback.
After getting a taste as the starter last year, Fine will try and continue with his improvement.
“Every year I like to get a little bit better and I felt like coming in here I was one step of where I was last year, and I think I’ve showed to the coaches but more importantly my teammates and I ready to step when my number is called.”
Practice Notebook
- The Riders will be without receiver Derel Walker on Friday. He is out with a knee injury, Dickenson says the team is currently gathering information on the prognosis of Walker’s injury.
- Defensive Back Nic Marshall is listed as doubtful with a shoulder injury.
- Linebacker Derrick Moncrief will miss Friday’s home opener against Winnipeg, but could draw back into the lineup next week.
- Kaare Vedvik will miss his second game with a hip injury, Adam Korsak will be the team’s punter against Winnipeg.
