Positional clarity starting to present itself on Day 7 of Rider training camp

The Saskatchewan Roughriders were back on the field Monday as Week 2 of training camp began.

The Riders’ Green and White intrasquad game over the weekend didn’t go to plan as the game was called off due to smoke only 4 ½ minutes into the game.

The Riders seemed to have a heavy focus on running plays Monday with starting quarterback Trevor Harris. Shea Patterson and Jake Dolegala were neck and neck in pass completions as Dolegala has started to get more consistency in finding his intended pass target.

Newly signed punter Adam Korsak also arrived at camp Monday as the former Ray Guy Award winner suited up in the green and white for the first time.

So far Rider training camp has provided them with tons of competition for roster spots.

“Some of the young guys have started to push the veterans,” said head coach Craig Dickenson.

Dickenson also said some of the positional battles have started to separate themselves already.

Despite Saturday’s Green and White game being cut extremely short, receiver Derel Walker scored the only touchdown.

“It felt really good to get going, Trevor looks great out there, the O-line looks amazing, the defence is holding it up and special teams look great,” said Walker.

The Riders also have a familiar face back on the D-line as Micah Johnson is back with the Riders, marking his third stint in the green and white and Johnson looks happy to be back.

“It’s awesome, lots of familiar faces, familiarity with the coaches, familiarity with the players, it feels like home,” said Johnson. “I never wanted to leave in the first place, I had family issues and I felt like I needed to be closer to home and handle some things. There was no bad blood, the coaching staff wanted me back and I wanted to be back.”

Johnson was brought in to help a struggling defensive line and he believes the Riders have one of the best D-lines in the CFL if not the best one. He also reunites with former teammates Pete Robertson and Anthony Lanier II.

“Playing with your homeboys allows you to hold each other to a whole other level of accountability,” said Johnson.

As for Riders receiver Jake Herslow, he’ll undergo an MRI on his left knee on Wednesday. Herslow was seen with a brace on his left leg at the Green and White game.