Davis: A few Roughriders from Saskatchewan prepared to leave a lasting impression

Ajou, Clemons, Patterson, and Fagot are a few of the first-game surprises.
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Shea Patterson, the quarterback, seized the moment.
Running back Frankie Hickson, defensive back Deontai Williams, freshly drafted receiver Ajou Ajou, former NFL receiver KeeSean Johnson, and linebackers Rodney Clemons and Diego Fagot all did as well.

All of them are attempting to play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, who defeated the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers 25–12 on Monday to start their preseason. They needed to leave a lasting impression as rookies and journeymen in order to be included in the lineup for Saturday’s last preseason game against the host Edmonton Elks.

Shea Patterson, the quarterback, seized the moment.
Running back Frankie Hickson, defensive back Deontai Williams, freshly drafted receiver Ajou Ajou, former NFL receiver KeeSean Johnson, and linebackers Rodney Clemons and Diego Fagot all did as well.

All of them are attempting to play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, who defeated the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers 25–12 on Monday to start their preseason. They needed to leave a lasting impression as rookies and journeymen in order to be included in the lineup for Saturday’s last preseason game against the host Edmonton Elks.

Patterson threw pinpoint passes and capably conducted Saskatchewan’s new-look offence in a lengthy audition. A five-year veteran with his third CFL team, Patterson is looking to leapfrog Mason Fine as the backup to starting quarterback Trevor Harris.

 

Fine didn’t even throw a pass in his limited appearance Monday, but the fourth-year veteran will likely get a longer look in Edmonton.

 

The Roughriders gave playing time to five quarterbacks — an extremely rare accomplishment that doesn’t necessarily give them enough of an opportunity to show anything — against the Blue Bombers, who left most of their starters at home for the pre-season visit.

 

Although new Riders head coach Corey Mace didn’t completely define his team’s plans beforehand for its quarterback rotation, he admitted afterwards he made some in-game decisions that limited Fine’s time and allowed Patterson to play the important closing minutes, when quarterbacks need to be especially aware of clock management.

Antonio Pipkin, Saskatchewan’s short-yardage quarterback, also played a few snaps before Jack Coan, the lone new quarterback on the depth chart, took over. Three of the four seasoned pivots will be on the 46-man active roster, but Coan, a Notre Dame product witnessing his first CFL action, seems fairly at ease and may wind up on Saskatchewan’s practice roster. It makes sense that either Fine, Patterson, or Pipkin will be made available.

The Roughriders dressed 78 players and have another 10 sidelined by injuries. They may trim their lineup in the next few days but aren’t required to declare their protected list, with injured players and a 10-member practice roster, until a week before they open their regular season June 8 with a return trip to Edmonton.

 

With only two pre-season games and a relatively short training camp, CFL teams typically have predetermined most of their starters during the off-season. There’s little doubt the Roughriders have Harris etched as their starting quarterback and A.J. Ouellette at running back. The other guaranteed starters on offence are centre Peter Godber, right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick and three receivers — Shawn Bane Jr., Kian Schaffer-Baker and Sam Emilus.

 

Defensive tackles Anthony Lanier II and Micah Johnson anchor the defence, with middle linebacker Jameer Thurman, safety Jayden Dalke and halfback Rolan Milligan Jr. also entrenched as starters.

 

So there are some starting positions as yet unclaimed, particularly at left tackle, with some concern about kicker Brett Lauther. He crumpled to the turf Monday during a warmup kick and limped noticeably afterwards while favouring his left (plant) leg.

 

Mace, who doubles as defensive co-ordinator, and new offensive co-ordinator Marc Mueller are also installing their new game plans.

According to their first preseason game, Mueller’s offense appears to be far more varied than Saskatchewan’s recent attack, with an even distribution of running plays, and Mace’s defense is built around a hard-charging pass rush. deep passes and quick throws. There are usually a few surprises while they’re choosing which players fit in the best.