Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Marcus Sayles goes into Friday’s game against the B.C. Lions with a fair bit of attention on him.
For one thing, Sayles is playing against his former team, with whom he played 49 games from 2021 to 2023 before he joined the Riders. The 31-year-old also could start at a new position; he’s lined up at halfback this week at practice aside from his usual corner spot.
And then there’s the fact he and the Riders defence are preparing to try to slow down Lions’ Nathan Rourke, regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the CFL.
That’s all a lot. But Sayles is one of the leaders on the Saskatchewan defence. He has 46 tackles, five pass knockdowns, and a fumble recovery.
All that, to say nothing of his upbeat personality, made Sayles a perfect subject of our first reader-driven Q&A. We got some great questions from people who submitted them through the Riders All Access Report.
Those who had their queries chosen below will all be entered into a draw to win Riders tickets.
Here’s Sayles responding to your questions from Voice of the Roughriders Dave Thomas:
From Lois Peebles: When you were starting out in football, who was your favourite player to watch and who gave you inspiration to go pro?
I would say (former Detroit Lions receiver) Calvin Johnson. I had a Calvin Johnson poster when I was in elementary school. Him for sure.
Dave Thomas: Have you ever met Calvin Johnson?
I’ve never met Calvin Johnson. I wish I could, though. (Laughs.)
From Diller: I think I know the answer seeing as how you’re a defensive player, but what are your thoughts on receivers and running backs getting away with hands-to-the-face or face-masking penalties?
Honestly, it’s hard. Sometimes it’s part of the game. Sometimes you’re trying to do your job and sometimes your hand slips and it goes certain places. At the same time, it’s one of the rules. You’ve got to be better at staying in the discipline of the rules of the game.
From Shannon Hengen: How do the players on defence know what play they’re going to make? The quarterback on offence calls the play by number in the huddle, but the defence doesn’t huddle. If Mr. Sayles figures out for himself what to do after the ball is snapped, he has to be super smart, right?
Yeah, you could say that. Granted, it comes down to film study. Seeing our opponents, seeing our opponents. Seeing what they’re good at. Seeing what they like to do. Also, quarterback tendencies; see who he likes to throw the ball to, his best receivers. Things like that. Then, it’s pretty much letting your game take over.
Dave Thomas: Who makes the call on the field, or is there one?
Yeah, it starts with our safety. It goes down to our linebackers to make sure that everybody gets the communication across on board. And then we’re ready to go.
