Zimmermann takes another step with the Riders

The hurdles keep getting higher for Max Zimmermann.

First, the 25-year-old product of Berlin, Germany, had to prove himself at rookie camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in order to earn a spot at the CFL team’s training camp.

Then, Zimmermann had to show in the early stages of camp that he could keep up with players who have more experience than him in North American football.

Now, the receiver is going to get a chance to play in his first CFL game. It may be an exhibition contest, but Zimmermann is embracing the opportunity to play in Saskatchewan’s pre-season opener Friday against the host Calgary Stampeders.

“I hope I get a chance to show what I can do on the field — and learn,” Zimmermann said following a recent training-camp session at Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

“Every situation for me is new and it’s a new chance to learn, correct things and get better every day. I hope I can make plays and, if I make a mistake, I’m correcting it next time.”

The Roughriders selected Zimmermann in the first round (sixth overall) of the CFL’s inaugural European draft on April 11. The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder had played for the Potsdam Royals in Germany’s football league while also working as a teacher.

In mid-May, he put his teaching career on hold and journeyed to Saskatchewan in hopes of starting a life in pro football.

That desire explains his effort level during camp. Zimmermann drew attention from Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson for his toughness, which the German exhibited while playing through a sprained ankle.

Zimmermann downplayed that, suggesting he wasn’t any different than other players who were dealing with nagging injuries during camp. Still, it showed that Zimmermann felt the need to show his coaches and teammates his level of commitment.

“Of course I want to prove what I’m worth and that, for a German player, I’m still able to make plays in this league,” he said. “That’s why I’m working hard every day.”

Dickenson wants to see everyone on the roster work hard Friday. Asked what he’s hoping to see in Calgary, the head coach stressed that he wants to see the Roughriders compete.

“I want to see guys (get) in the huddle and out of the huddle; I don’t want to see a lot of time counts,” Dickenson said. “I want to see 12 (players) on the field when there’s supposed to be 12.

“We’re not playing to win, we’re playing to compete and to evaluate these guys and we want to see how our essentially 2’s and 3’s (on the depth chart) do against Calgary. We want to get a feel for our depth in this game.”

The Roughriders left a number of veteran players off the roster, including those who are locks to make the team and others who are nursing injuries.

The list of players who aren’t to dress for the game include offensive linemen Dan Clark and Brendon LaBatte, receivers Emmanuel Arceneaux, Shaq Evans and Naaman Roosevelt, running backs William Powell and Marcus Thigpen, defensive linemen Zack Evans, Charleston Hughes and Micah Johnson, defensive backs Crezdon Butler, Ed Gainey and Nick Marshall, linebacker Solomon Elimimian and kicker Brett Lauther.

Among those who are expected to play are the four quarterbacks vying for the second- and third-string jobs. Veterans Cody Fajardo and David Watford are expected to play in the first half, with rookies Isaac Harker and Ty Gangi to split the second half.

The game also will mark Dickenson’s debut as a CFL head coach. The longtime special-teams co-ordinator was promoted by the Roughriders to replace Chris Jones on Jan. 25, shortly after Jones jumped to the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

“I think I’ll be fine on that,” Dickenson said of working for the first time as a head coach. “What’s going to be an adjustment for me is wearing a headset. I haven’t done that for a long time.”

Dickenson noted that he and his assistants will put more emphasis on players’ showings in exhibition games than during training camp in the evaluation process — “I would say probably 60-40 (with the) pre-season game taking priority,” he said — so players should know they have to perform Friday.

For Zimmermann, the game simply will be his next opportunity to take a step toward a CFL career.

“There are surprises, of course — the competition level and how good guys are in their technique, especially the DBs,” he said of his adjustment to the league. “That’s all new for me. I expected something like this, but it’s still something different when you’re out there on the field.”

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Wray Morrison