Holley looking to help fill hole left by Carter departure

After being taken off the roster in their last game, Caleb Holley feels like he’s ready to become an explosive player with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Holley, who is entering his third season with the Roughriders, will be one of the receivers tasked with filling the hole left by the recently released Duron Carter when the Riders welcome the Calgary Stampeders Sunday.

“It was a surprise to all of us but at the end of the day it’s a business,” Holley, who lived with Carter, said.

“Just got to continue to move on, I’ve got to pick up the slack, pick up where he left off, I’m ready to take that role and keep going.”

Holley was taken off the roster last time out in Edmonton to make room for Carter on the offensive side of the ball, with head coach Chris Jones noting that nothing’s guaranteed in football.

“You got to go out and earn it every single week, Caleb’s a very high character, hardworking young man and he’s just got to find that consistency,” Jones said. He said Holley has been a dynamic player for them in spurts but needs to be a more consistent blocker and pass catcher.

Holley said getting taken off the roster was a wake-up call for him.

“That just lets you know nobody is safe,” Holley said, adding blocking is something he has been working on during practice.

Holley feels like he hasn’t performed near his potential.

“I haven’t even hit 1,000 yards yet and I feel like I’m one of those 1,000-yard guys.”

Holley, who was the starting slotback in the Riders 34-22 loss to the Stamps earlier in the season, said the first meeting would’ve had a different result if they didn’t find themselves in a 24-point hole in the first quarter, noting two fumbles in their own territory cost them.

‘Physicality’ expected from Loucheiz Purifoy

On Aug. 6, Louchiez Purifoy was surprisingly released from the Ottawa Redblacks but it wouldn’t take long for him to find a new CFL home right here in Saskatchewan. The Riders quickly signed the 25-year-old defensive back to add to an already formidable defensive unit.

He said he was surprised to get released from Ottawa.

“You got to respect their business decision so just keep it going, treat it like a business cause that’s what it is.”

Jones said Purifoy has not only been fitting well into their defensive scheme but has also been a fit in the locker room as well.

That transition to a new locker room was made a bit easier due to Purifoy having a history with a few of the Riders already, including playing college football with Matt Elam and on the B.C. Lions with Mike Edem.

On the field, Purifoy said the defence plays a lot of man coverage which fits his playing style and Rider fans can expect a lot of physicality from their new defensive piece.

“A lot of just fast, physical football, help my team win,” Purifoy said.

He said the team needs to be disciplined if they want to beat a team like Calgary.

Kick off is at 5 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium Sunday.