Emmanuel Arceneaux embracing leadership role with Riders

Emmanuel Arceneaux might not be putting up the statistics he’s used to producing, but he’s making an impact for the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ receivers off the field.

Arceneaux, who is in the middle of his ninth CFL season, joined the Roughriders as a free agent this off-season. He was recovering from a torn ACL suffered on Aug. 25, 2018, while he was a member of the B.C. Lions.

He has recorded only 11 catches for 86 yards in 2019, but he has taken on a mentor role for a young Saskatchewan receiving corps that includes second-year receivers Shaq Evans and Kyran Moore.

“It was a big step into that role where it’s like you’re a coach on the field but also a player that (the coaches) expect to make x amount of plays,” Arceneaux said after practice Thursday at Mosaic Stadium.

“Playing at the status with the level of success that I’ve had and coming off the injury, I think this is one of the most humbling experiences knowing what I’m capable of statistically.

“I’m excited for the guys around me. I stay on them and let them know they’ve got to shoot for more. Win or loss, I stay on those guys all the time because I know what they’re capable of.”

The group will be looking to help the Green and White improve to 8-3 on the season when the Roughriders take on the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Banjo Bowl on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., with the Green Zone pre-game show to begin at noon.

Arceneaux has enjoyed a lot of success in the CFL, recording 567 catches for 8,255 yards and 55 touchdowns. He accumulated the vast majority of those statistics with the Lions.

“All of my years, it was Manny who was the guy that they tried to put pieces around,” Arceneaux said. “At the time I helped (Lions receiver Bryan) Burnham develop his game and look where it has taken off to.

“To come in and have guys that are already talented, they are just learning the aspect of what it is to be a pro. They already have all the tools, it’s just what goes into the preparation and that mindset of having the killer instinct.”

Arceneaux credited former Lions head coach Wally Buono for instilling in him how important having the right mindset is when playing professional football.

Arceneaux has also helped provide a spark for the team by introducing the Big Play Chain to the team during its 40-18 win over the Ottawa Redblacks on Aug. 24. After the game, many players said it was a good way to bring the locker room together.

Moore said the addition of Arceneaux to the locker room has helped him take steps in his development on the field.

“He’s like a coach on the field. He comes out there and helps me see things and talks to me about things I didn’t know coming into this year,” Moore said.

Moore said the biggest thing Arceneaux has taught him this season is about keeping his composure when things don’t go right.

“No matter how the game is going — whether it’s good or it’s bad — just keep my composure about everything and let everything handle itself,” Moore said.

Arceneaux will play in his first-ever Banjo Bowl on Saturday. He expects the Winnipeg fans to be out in full force for the rematch after the Roughriders won the Labour Day Classic 19-17 in Regina on Sunday.

“It’s going to be a hostile environment but if we go in and handle our business and play Saskatchewan football, I’m thinking everything will be OK and the fans won’t be a factor,” Arceneaux said.

Winnipeg has won four of the past six Banjo Bowl games.

Notes: Receiver Jordan Williams-Lambert has not rejoined the Roughriders. Head coach Craig Dickenson said Williams-Lambert’s rights reverted to the team after he cleared waivers in the NFL. Dickenson says the team has been in contact with Williams-Lambert, but he’s still pursuing NFL opportunities … Winnipeg defensive end Willie Jefferson was fined by the CFL for a high hit he delivered on Roughriders quarterback Cody Fajardo during the Labour Day Classic. Roughriders linebacker Cameron Judge was fined by the league for an illegal hit in the game against the Redblacks.