Riders’ offensive guard Phillip Blake is ready for 9th CFL season

Philip Blake is enjoying the ninth CFL training camp of his career.

“It feels good to be back out here,” Blake said.

The 38-year-old offensive guard says his career is at a point where it’s a year-to-year decision to continue playing.

The Toronto, Ont. product decided to return to Saskatchewan in 2024 after signing a contract extension in January for his ninth CFL season.

This year is already off to a better start than the last when Blake suffered a torn pec in the preseason.

“It was tough. You prepare all offseason, and you get to the point where you feel good and prepared and when something like that happens, it’s unfortunate,” Blake said.

Blake is one of the returning starters to the Riders’ offensive line that includes centre Peter Godber and right guard Logan Ferland.

“Every player you play with — they have different strengths and weaknesses, and you cater to that with what you do,” Blake said.

Jermarcus Hardrick is looking forward to returning to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, with whom he played eight games in 2015. (CFL/Submitted)

Some of the new additions to the offensive line this season are Trevor Reid – a first-year CFLer looking to lock down the left tackle spot – and veteran Jermarcus Hardrick, who joined the Riders after winning two Grey Cups and appearing in two more with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“Jermarcus is a veteran of this league, and he knows what to do. Trevor is a young guy, so have to get him up to speed – get his eyes to be faster and stuff like that,” Blake said.

Running back A.J. Ouellette is thrilled to reunite with Blake this year. The two were teammates in Toronto with the Argonauts from 2021-22.

“It’s been great. He’s a little different – he had surgery to repair some hearing, so I don’t have to scream at him too much anymore,” Ouellette said. “He is great. A chill and laid-back guy until he’s between these white lines out here, and then he turns into a beast.

And even though Blake has been through the highs and lows of a CFL career – including winning the 2022 Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium with the Argos – he is still enjoying the grind of it all.

“It’s always fun. If I don’t have fun with it, I’m not going to continue to do it,” Blake said. “These young guys keep me young.”