Riders begin training camp following CBA uncertainty

The Saskatchewan Roughriders started the 2019 Canadian Football League (CFL) season by opening training camp at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon on Sunday.

The start of training camp was in doubt after some last-minute negotiating between the CFL and its players association on Saturday was able to finalize a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and avoid a work stoppage hours before camps were set to begin across the country.

The Roughriders were late to the field for their 9 a.m. start time as they were briefed about the fine details of the new CBA. The men leading the information session, Solomon Elimimian and Chad Rempel of the players association negotiating committee, boarded a plane Sunday morning to Vancouver to brief the B.C. Lions ahead of the ratification vote that is expected to take place in the next 24 hours.

After all the rumours about a strike, Riders receiver Namaan Roosevelt was pleased to put his support behind the new labour agreement.

“I feel like every thing is good now and I feel like everyone is excited to come out here and play,” he said.

“They got extended time for players that are injured — and they boosted the salary a little bit, which is pretty cool. I think that’s big for getting players up here.”

New man in charge

Training camp had a different tempo than previous years as players adjusted to the first training camp with new head coach Craig Dickenson leading drills. Dickenson was hired following Chris Jones’ departure to the Cleveland Browns in January after four years as head coach.

“I’m going to try to push these guys,” Dickenson said. “The balancing act is how far do you push them to the point where you start losing guys?”

Dickenson admitted learning more about his players throughout the week will go a long way in determining that balance.

“When I see the group start to slow, I’m going to either push them if they need it, or I’m going to pull back. I got to take that day-by-day,” he said.

Quarterback Zach Collaros appreciates the accountability Dickenson expects as he began his second training camp with the Roughriders.

“(Dickenson’s) thing is he’s going to treat us like men and we have to do what we have to do to make the football team,” Collaros said. “It feels a little bit different. For me, it has a lot to do with familiarity, being comfortable in the offence and being comfortable with my teammates.”

Notes

Notable players missing on the first day of camp were Dan Clark and 2019 first round CFL Draft selection Justin McInnis.

Clark is recovering from injuries sustained in a car crash, but he did take part in meetings prior to practice.

McInnis is nursing a hamstring injury. Fellow 2019 draft pick Brayden Lenius left practice with a leg injury after reaching for a pass.

Emmanuel Arceneaux surprised fans and coaches with his appearance on Sunday. Arceneaux was expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a torn ACL in September 2018.

Dickenson was impressed with the veteran’s performance, especially after a diving catch that got a roar from the crowd.

“That was awesome,” he said. “We might have to slow him down a little bit, but it was good seeing him moving around.”

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Wray Morrison.