Quarterback Jake Maier excited to join Riders, reunite with coaches
14h ago
"When I found out this opportunity was possible, it was a very easy decision for me."
The news keeps getting worse for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
With quarterback Darian Durant already out for the season, his insurance policy, Kevin Glenn, is also out for the foreseeable future.
“Kevin Glenn has a peck tear. It doesn’t require surgery. But, he will be on the six-game (injured list),” said head coach Corey Chamblin after Wednesday’s closed practice.
Just how long Glenn will be out of the line-up isn’t clear at this point. Chamblin did confirm that it will take a few weeks before Glenn could even throw again.
Glenn suffered the injury at the end of the third quarter against the Tiger-Cats on Sunday.
“(It happened) on the interception when he made the tackle. I think the guy’s heel went into his little peck muscle there and he ended up making a tear there,” he said.
Before the injury, Glenn was enjoying a rebound season of sorts with the Riders. Through five games, Glenn had thrown a league-leading 1,483 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Riders will be bringing in yet another quarterback to fill out the depth chart. At this point, it’s not known who that quarterback might be.
For the time being, the team will now turn to 23-year-old Brett Smith to be the team’s starting quarterback.
“I think every quarterback wants to come in and play. I can’t wait for the opportunity,” said Smith, who admitted that he felt awful for Glenn.
“There’s another side (of me) that was extremely excited to come in and have the opportunity to play.”
Smith learned on Monday that he would be starting for the Riders on Friday. Smith’s father is expected to be in the stands for the game.
Smith was thrown into the fire on Sunday afternoon after Glenn went down. He hopes it’s an experience that will leave him better prepared for Friday’s game.
“I think (Sunday) was just an opportunity, well I was thrown into the fire a little bit in front of our home crowd. I was able to see another defence. I think just getting some more experience under my belt. I only had a couple of series (before that),” he said.
Friday’s game won’t be an easy one for Smith. It’s going to be trial-by-fire for the former Wyoming quarterback. The Eskimos present quite the challenge with quite possibly the best defence in the league.
Smith knows Eskimos head coach Chris Jones is going to dial up the pressure to see if he’s ready to handle the big stage or not.
“I think they’re going to present a lot of different looks that will be difficult for us,” he said.
“Every team is unique with what they bring to the table. We’re not approaching this one any different.”
Glenn wasn’t the only major injury suffered on Sunday. Chamblin also announced that fullback Spencer Moore will be out for “several weeks” with a foot injury.
Rider Fans waiting for a leader
Rider fans don’t seem to know much about Smith ahead of his first CFL start.
“I’ve never even seen him play a down,” said Cheryl Church, who missed his brief appearance in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against Hamilton.
At the start of the season, most fans didn’t believe they’d ever see the third-string quarterback start a game in 2015.
“My heart is bleeding and it’s not bleeding green,” said Krista Streifel.
Down 0-5 entering Friday’s game, many fans don’t seem to have the patience for another shot at Tino Sunseri.
“Brett Smith is the guy I think right now. I think Tino (Sunseri) has had some chances,” said Ron Loos.
The Roughriders are searching for yet another quarterback which leaves fans wondering, who is left.
“What about Kerry Joseph? Is he still healthy?” joked Loos.
JGasson@rawlco.com
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