Changes are a big part of the coaching occupation, especially in the football world. But last week’s moves from the Saskatchewan Roughriders have left former receivers coach Travis Moore confused, but ultimately disappointed that he won’t be returning to the Roughriders organization next year.
On Monday, Moore was a guest on the SportsCage with Michael Ball, where he said that he wasn’t provided an answer on why his contract wasn’t renewed.
“Nothing was told to me. ” He continued.
“I did my job, I think I did my job pretty well.”
Moore also noted that he didn’t really have a sit down conservation when he found that he wouldn’t be back with the Roughriders in 2023.
“I’m not going to get into why, cause I don’t know exactly why.”
The former Rider and Stampeder receiver says that he is now ready to move on with his career and feels that the change could be a blessing in disguise but was still not happy with the decision.
“Because you never got a reason why and you bust your butt and you doing everything for your guys. ”
Despite the dismissal, the former Riders receiver coach isn’t discouraged.
“My whole thing is that my services weren’t appreciated and it’s time to move on and that’s the way it is.”
During his playing days, Moore was one of the elite pass catchers in the CFL. The eleven year veteran surpassed the 1,000 receiving yards mark five times, he also had a pair of seasons where he compiled over 930 yards. He spent the final three years of his playing career in Saskatchewan.
Before joining the Riders as a coach, the former receiver spent time coaching in Hamilton (2009) , BC (2010-12) , Edmonton (2013), Ottawa (2014-2017).
Moore has formed a bond with the young receivers in green and white as he is planning to continue training with some of the Rider receivers throughout the upcoming offseason.
Approaching training with an old school mentality is a part of his workout philosophy.
“We’re running hard, I mean it’s running and waking up every morning and I’m talking about we’re starting six in the morning, we could be in the sand, we could be pulling sandbags, weight balls, running hills, and there’s guys that’s with you and there’s no holds barred. ”
One Roughriders receiver who enjoyed a great season in 2022 was Kian Schaffer-Baker. The Canadian receiver established new career highs in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
The former receivers coach thinks that the Rider receiver is just getting started.
“He’s a little sponge right now, he’s soaking everything, taking everything in, he’s still learning, he’s only scratching the surface of what your going to see from Bake (Schaffer-Baker).”
Moore added that Schaffer-Baker possesses all the tools that a receiver needs.
“He has size, speed, he can block, good hands, can catch out frame, he works hard. ”
After signing with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, Brayden Leinus rejoined the Roughriders in late August. It was a difficult year for the receiver after increasing his weight during the offseason as he attempting to make the Falcons as tight end.
Moore is looking forward to Lenius and Schaffer-Baker joining him during the offseason and preparing both players for next season.
Injuries definitely caused problems for the Riders receivers throughout the season. Duke Williams suffered through an ankle injury that ended his season in September and Shaq Evans was injured during Week 3 and was out of the lineup for nearly three months. The ex-Riders receivers coach says it was tough to get on track as a receiving core with the injuries.
“These guys are battling injuries, you have fractured ankles, ligament tears, torn ligaments in your ankle, people don’t understand what they’re fighting through and you missed those guys getting back on page with the quarterback who went through injuries, it was a lot of different things a lot of people don’t know what happened on the inside, you can only see the out product.”
What the future holds for Moore remains to be seen, after coaching in the CFL for over 12 seasons, he’s not too sure if he will continue on the coaching path, but said if coaching football isn’t part of his future, he will still continue training and working with prospective warriors of the gridiron.
“I’m not going to hold myself down, I’m going to wait and see, listen to everything, I’ll make a decision with my family and move forward.”
