The weather forced the Saskatchewan Roughriders indoors on Day 6 of training camp. Still, it did little to slow the intensity of competition as the Green and White continued preparations for their first preseason game.
With snow covering the turf and creating unsafe field conditions, the Roughriders moved practice into the Physical Activities Complex (PAC) at the University of Saskatchewan on Friday.
The unusual setting gave the day a different feel from the moment players walked into the gym. Before practice officially began, several players drifted toward the basketball hoops scattered around the facility, launching shots and joking around while waiting for meetings and walkthroughs to begin. Head coach Corey Mace admitted football players may want to stick to football.
“Absolutely not. Not one person,” Mace laughed when asked if anyone showed basketball potential.
“We are really bad at basketball. At least we can’t shoot. I assume we could foul, maybe play a little defence. But other than that, pass the ball.”
Despite the venue change, the Roughriders still managed to get valuable work done through a detailed walkthrough session featuring all three phases of the game.
“It’s like anything, right? That’s just how games go,” Mace said. “Sometimes you’ve got to plan, you’ve got to alter and execute.”
“Today, unfortunately for us, the field wasn’t, I thought, a safe enough condition for us to get out there and have a full practice. Luckily for us, we had this accessible for us to get some good work in.”
The offence was led primarily by quarterback Jack Coan, working behind an offensive line featuring Darius Washington, Erik Anderson, Thomas Perry, Jex Janvier and Spencer Brown.
Mario Anderson Jr. handled the majority of the running back reps while Benjamin Walz, Siosi Mariner, Shemar McBean, Daniel Wiebe and D’Sean Mimbs rotated through receiver positions.
Defensively, the front included Liam Hoskins, Kendy Charles, Davin Vann and Justin Weaver, while Tyron Vrede, Osasere Odemwingie and Melique Straker handled linebacker duties. The secondary featured Kerfalla Exume, Juwuane Hughes, Carson Sombach, Garnett Hollis Jr. and Seyi Oladipo Jr.
One player continuing to generate attention throughout camp is linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr.
The third-year Roughriders LB once again stood out during Saturday’s indoor session, even if his basketball shooting luck didn’t cooperate. Miller was selected by his defensive teammates to participate in a three-point shooting challenge against the offence. Despite showing arguably the smoothest shooting form in the competition, nearly every one of his shots rattled out.
The offence eventually claimed a narrow 3-2 victory.
Miller’s confidence on the football field, however, continues to grow as he enters his third CFL season.
“I’m familiar with the team, I’m familiar with the players that’re here, especially the whole organization and staff,” Miller said. “All I can say is I can just thank God that I’m able to be here.”
Veteran observers around camp have noted Miller appears to be playing faster and more instinctively this year, something the linebacker agrees comes naturally with experience.
“Once you’re familiar with all the plays and the calls and, of course, the game, everything is slower,” Miller explained. “You know what’s going to happen, you know how it happens, and you can only just have fun at that point.”
That comfort level could become important quickly with preseason action now approaching. When asked what fans should expect once game action begins, Miller kept his answer short and confident.
“You just see.”
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will head to Calgary on Sunday before Monday’s preseason opener versus the Stampeders. You can catch the game live on the Rider Broadcast Network starting Monday at 10 a.m.
