‘It’s a fresh start:’ Riders begin main camp

It was a sunshine-filled morning and the Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping for a brighter 2023.

Main training camp got underway on Sunday at Griffiths Stadium as veterans took to the field for the first time as the CFL team looks to bounce back after a disappointing 6-12 season in 2022.

“It feels great to be out here with the guys and start something special,” said centre Peter Godber, who was one of the many free agents brought in to help right the ship on the offensive side of the ball.

The captain of that ship is 36-year-old quarterback Trevor Harris, who signed with the Riders in the off-season.

“It was awesome. The energy was awesome, the defence was flying around and the offence was flying around. It’s always fun to get those first reps in with a new offence and a new scheme and getting the timing with the guys down,” Harris said. “You can see and feel the potential out there.

“We’ve got a tremendous group and I am excited.”

Harris is entering his 12th CFL season with his fifth different CFL team. He said the best way to win the locker room over in a new place is to just be yourself.

“I think a lot of times in leadership people try and emulate what Tom Brady does or try to emulate Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts – who the great leaders of today are – but really what it comes down to is being yourself,” Harris said. “If you’re not authentic, people see through that.”

Along with Harris and Godber, the Riders are welcoming a number of new faces on the offence. Receivers Jake Wieneke, Shawn Bane Jr., and Derel Walker all got their first training camp reps in with their new starter.

After the Riders surrendered 77 sacks last season, the offensive line is expected to get an overhaul. Right guard Evan Johnson was the lone holdover from the starters last season to remain in the starting lineup to start Day 1 of camp. Left tackle Jerald Hawkins, left guard Philip Blake, Godber at centre and right tackle Eric Lofton rounded out the group.

“I’ve been around this league for quite a while and this group has me fired up,” Harris said.

Head coach Craig Dickenson, who is in the final season of his contract, said it’s exciting to get things going with so many new faces.

“It’s a fresh start and I am looking forward to working with a lot of new faces in the coaching office and a lot of new players, so we are excited,” Dickenson said. “We wanted to push them a little but also be aware that they are just coming off of flights and driving so we didn’t want to go too hard. I thought Day 1 was fairly clean and a good effort.”

Day 2 of training camp begins at 9 a.m. Monday.

Notes:

• Linebacker Derrick Moncrief didn’t participate in practice due to a shoulder injury. Dickenson said there wasn’t a timeline for his return, but the coaches are hopeful to see Moncrief back for the June 11 season-opener in Edmonton against the Elks.
• Defensive back Rolan Milligan didn’t practise after being given the day off following a 30-hour drive for him to arrive to camp.
• Offensive tackle Jeremiah Poutasi and Jester Weah both were put on the suspended list after neither man reported to camp. Dickenson said the team will need to reach out to them to discuss their futures.
• Quarterback Jake Dolegala appeared to be the sharpest of the bunch on Day 1. He made a number of good tosses in succession, including back-to-back strikes to Isaiah McKoy and Kendall Watson.