REGINA — Saskatoon Roughriders receiver D’Sean Mimbs has taken becoming a regular in the Green and White line-up to heart this season.
For some players that might mean going out and doing all they can to pull off spectacular plays every time they’re on the field. But that isn’t what always wins football games — and Mimbs is doing what he can to fill important roles when he’s not the target of the football.
That means putting his body on the line as a blocker and creating openings for his teammates, making for a much more physical and hard-hitting game for the 25-year-old Regina product. But if it means he’s on the field playing games that matter in the near future, so be it.
“I haven't been getting as many looks as I was last year receiving-wise, but the blocking's there, and I'm making plays and not messing up any plays, so it's good,” Mimbs said shortly after practice on Wednesday. “I’m out there with [rookie] Abdul [Janneh Jr.], so it’s a big blocking position. Compared to last year I’ve come in and put on some weight so I can make a lot of good plays.”
It certainly doesn’t hurt that contact is in his genes. The son of former all-star Roughriders running back Robert Mimbs, D’Sean isn’t afraid to put his 6-foot, 188-pound frame to good use if it means the likes of Janneh can find open running room and put up big YAC yards.
“It just makes you prepare harder than ever,” Mimbs said. “I go home and study the plays, making sure that I'm getting all the details right, blocking blocks and all that stuff. I think it's been going well, so I'm not too stressed about anything.”
Mimbs spent a good part of last season on the practice roster, but saw the field in four games and had a single catch for five yards. He outdid that in a single preseason game on Saturday during Saskatchewan’s 31-27 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Saskatoon, hauling in a pair of catches for 21 yards while being targeted four times.
Even without a ton of playing time, Mimbs still brings a veteran presence to the line-up and has done what he can to help newcomers learn the Riders’ ropes.
“A lot of the newer guys that came in this year, they noticed that I know all the plays, so they kind of ask me too about what they're doing or on the field,” Mimbs said. “I don't know, it's just kind of cool. It's been helping me a lot more too. Being able to explain it to them has helped me understand it.”
Mimbs and the Roughriders wrapped training camp with pre-season practice Friday at Mosaic Stadium before heading off on a Week 1 bye.
Saskatchewan’s home opener is set for Saturday, June 13 when they host the Calgary Stampeders, with kick-off set for 5 p.m. on the Rider Broadcast Network.
