Riders’ Watford still catching on to playing quarterback

David Watford enjoys throwing passes more than catching them.

The 25-year-old product of Hampton, Va., is entering his second full season as a quarterback with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He signed with the CFL team late in the 2017 season after spending the 2016 campaign on the practice squad of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.

Watford played quarterback through high school and university, but the Eagles moved him to receiver. He played that position for a whole season before returning to quarterback after joining the Roughriders.

“I feel like (having played quarterback) gave me a better understanding of the receiver position — what they go through, what they deal with and them reading coverages and the things that they see,” Watford said Friday after Day 6 of the Roughriders’ training camp at Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

“I feel like it helped me as a receiver playing quarterback, having that background and understanding coverages, what teams are trying to do and being able to use that to my advantage. I feel like it helped me in both ways.”

Watford had to go through a significant transition period after he was moved to receiver. The 6-foot-2, 212-pounder relied on his athleticism and his desire to play professional football to make the move — but he always wanted to play quarterback in the pros.

The Roughriders gave him that opportunity when they added him to their practice roster late in the 2017 season.

“I had to get used to it a little bit when I first came back (in 2017) and I had to get my feet wet and get used to playing quarterback again,” Watford said. “After that, it was like riding a bike.”

He earned a spot on Saskatchewan’s active roster last season and, as the team’s third-string QB, dressed for all 18 regular-season games. In limited action, he completed 15 of 32 pass attempts for 168 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions and rushed 18 times for 93 yards.

Brandon Bridge departed in free agency this off-season, so some might have expected Watford to be the logical choice to back up Zach Collaros in 2019. But the Roughriders signed veteran backup Cody Fajardo as a free agent, meaning Watford has competition for the No. 2 job in camp.

Even though it’s a battle, Watford said he likes the fact that the quarterbacks support each other on the field and in the meeting rooms. They’re pushing one another to be better — and that’s what he wants.

“My goals are still to work every day like I’m the starter and to learn as much as I can from Zach and from Cody,” Watford said. “Cody has years under his belt as a quarterback in this league, so I’m trying to soak everything up that I can from those two because those are two very intelligent, very smart guys. They know the game really well.

“I want to learn. I’m not going to ever be satisfied with, ‘I feel like I know enough or I’m doing enough.’ I always want to get better. I always want to learn more.”

Watford’s next opportunity to show he has progressed is set for Saturday, when the Roughriders are to hold a controlled scrimmage during their Green and White Day at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

“He’s developing leadership, I think he’s doing a pretty good job in terms of command of the huddle (and) he’s got a strong arm,” head coach Craig Dickenson said when asked to assess Watford’s performance in camp. “We’ll look at the mock game and give him a chance to show a little bit more.”

No matter what Watford shows Saturday, he’ll be doing it in a different number: Before camp began, he gave up the No. 9 jersey he wore previously so that Regina-born punter Jon Ryan could have it.

“J.R. is a Regina guy; he’s Saskatchewan through and through,” said Watford, who now sports No. 6. “He’s a hometown guy; you can’t go against that. But I like 6 too.”

Friday’s Notes: Receiver Paul McRoberts (illness) was one of the players who didn’t practise Friday due to injuries or ailments. McRoberts missed practice for a fourth straight day and Dickenson said the rookie’s illness was “a concern” … Centre Dan Clark has yet to practise due to the injuries he suffered in a single-vehicle accident on May 7. Dickenson said the veteran O-lineman is “itching to get back,” so the head coach isn’t worried that Clark’s return is in jeopardy … Dickenson said kicker Brett Lauther is a lock to handle those duties again this season — a fact proven by the fact that the Roughriders don’t have another kicker in camp. “Not every position is a free-for-all,” Dickenson admitted. “I know that’s sometimes coach-speak that every job is up for grabs. The truth is, not every job is up for grabs. Some jobs are already won.” Asked how many players have locked up spots, Dickenson said “four or five” — but he declined to identify them.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Wray Morrison