Expect to see a lot of new faces when the Saskatchewan Roughriders take to Mosaic Stadium for their final home game of the season.
The Riders returned to practice for the first time since trading two offensive starters. Quarterback Kevin Glenn and running back Jerome Messam were both traded last week.
Interim head coach Bob Dyce said this is a time to look at the future of the team.
“When you have these opportunities, you have to make the most of it because you don’t know when your next one is,” Dyce said. “Whether you’re a coach or a player, you give everything now. Like I tell the guys, your film is your resume.”
The Riders are in an unusual situation with three games still left to play, but nothing to play for.
With Glenn now behind centre in Montreal, the Riders will be using the rest of the season evaluate their younger quarterbacks. Dyce said rookie Brett Smith will start on Saturday against Edmonton, but Keith Price could see some reps as well in the coming weeks.
“The plan would be to obviously to take some looks at Keith,” Dyce said. “A lot of it depends on Keith and how fast he develops.”
Tyler Crapigna to make Riders, CFL debut
Kicker Paul McCallum, who was signed in July to replace Chris Milo, will be replaced by Canadian kicker Tyler Crapigna, who was acquired in the Messam trade.
“We go out with the intention of winning,” Dyce said. “Some guys are getting an opportunity to play and just like some guys get that opportunity in the middle of the season. So anyone who gets and opportunity, like Tyler Crapigna, I expect them to be pros and make the most of their opportunity.”
Crapigna has only been in Regina for about three days. He said he was surprised by the trade, but excited for the chance to play.
“I feel like it’s my job to lose now,” Crapigna said.
The 23-year-old kicker out of McMaster University has never attempted a field goal in the CFL.
“I’ve been in big games. I’ve been in front of big crowds,” Crapigna said. “Coming to a stadium like this where they’re selling out every game, it feels more at home.”
Former Alabama star quarterback returns to Riderville
Blake Sims is back for his second stint with the Riders in one season.
Sims, who was a standout quarterback at the University of Alabama, was signed in August and then released in September.
The Riders also added American defensive back Keith Lewis to the practice roster. The negotiation rights to Lewis were also acquired in the Messam trade with Calgary.
The 6-1, 190-pound Lewis most recently spent time with the NFL’s New York Jets, appearing in three preseason games. He also spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014.
Saskatchewan also released American quarterback Hutson Mason.
Source: www.cbc.ca/news