After years on practice rosters, Paul McRoberts looks to make jump to game day role

Paul McRoberts is growing tired of waiting his turn.

The 28-year-old was with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams from 2016-17 and has been with the Saskatchewan Roughriders since 2019.

But despite all that time on pro rosters, McRoberts has mostly been a practice roster player, only appearing in two regular season games (both in 2016 with the Rams).

“A guy like me who has been on the practice squad for a long time, you sort of fall (into the mindset) of, ‘Oh, I’m OK being on the practice squad,’ or, ‘Oh, as long as I’m playing ball,’ but I told myself I’m over that,” McRoberts told media over a Zoom call Wednesday. “I’m tired of being on the practice squad … I know I can help this team.

“I’m ready to give myself a real chance because I want to know what I can really do in the game and I know I still got it.”

And this year could be meaningful for Roberts, especially if he carves out a starter’s role.

The St. Louis-product wants his jersey to read “McRoberts Jr.” this season to honour his dad, Paul McRoberts Sr., who died due to a massive heart attack when the receiver was nine years old. He said his dad was the reason he was able to spend so long on the practice roster and not get discouraged.

“I did get to spend a little time with him and with that little time, it was amazing. I’m thankful for that little time I had. He was in the military so he was strict on me,” McRoberts said. “My dad told me to be strong and work hard. Putting “Jr.” on the back of my jersey is going to mean so much and I hope I’m able to do it. It would just mean a lot to me to represent him and play for him. He never got to see me play.”

An opportunity could await McRoberts early in the season to make an impact with the Riders. Slotback Jordan Williams-Lambert has been dealing with a hand and, more recently, a knee injury throughout camp. In his absence, McRoberts has been the one running with the starters.

“I feel like I’m locked in and ready for it. I didn’t expect Jordan to go down but knowing I was the next man up, I had to be ready so I did everything in my power to be sure I was ready to fill those shoes,” McRoberts said.

Now that he has a year of CFL experience, he feels like he can take the next step.

“My first year getting down here, I was learning new terminology and pick up the speed of the game and moving fast – I was moving slower than this year,” McRoberts said. “I feel like I’m picking up the offence pretty well and gelling with the team and doing the best I can. I’m having fun with it.”

Head coach Craig Dickenson says it’s nice to see a guy who works as hard as McRoberts get rewarded with opportunities to play.

“Those are good stories when you can have a guy that spends a year or two on the (practice roster) and then he works his way into the lineup and plays well, those are good stories,” Dickenson said. “Right now Paul has done that and he’s earned some opportunities and I think he’s made the most of that on the field.”

And for McRoberts, he views 2021 as a defining season in his football career.

“I’ve been playing football for a long time and I’m going to give it my all this season to know if I want to stick with playing football or if I’m done with it,” McRoberts said. “I know I’m still young but at the same time, I haven’t played in a long time. I’m going to give it my all this season and whatever happens, I’m going to go off of that. If I feel like I can’t do it no more and I gave it my all, then it’s fine.

“There was no doubt I was coming back (in 2021) because I have some unfinished business.”

Notes: Safety Mike Edem (groin), Williams-Lambert (knee), and wide receiver Justin McInnis (hamstring) all didn’t practice Wednesday … Offensive tackle Brett Boyko was given the day off … Offensive tackle Terran Vaughn practiced for the second straight day after dealing with a shoulder injury … Defensive back Elie Bouka is expected to arrive in Regina on Friday to begin his quarantine.