When the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night at Mosaic Stadium, not only did the team clinch first place in the Canadian Football League’s West Division, but they also secured the opportunity to deploy their lineup as they see fit.
One of the first moves evident on Day 1 of preparation before the Roughriders game in Friday was at quarterback where quarterback Jake Maier will start in place of Trevor Harris.
Maier, who was acquired and subsequently signed by the Riders from Calgary in the offseason, has suited up in all 16 games this season, starting one and appearing in two others. He's excited about the opportunity to start.
“It's been a great year for us. To be in a position where we are now, to grant some opportunities for guys on our team to show who they are and to continue to build momentum going into this playoff run, is something that you don't get every year in the CFL.”
QB1 may not be the only change on Friday, as running back A.J. Ouellette, receivers KeeSean Johnson and Dohnte Meyers, and centre Logan Ferland didn’t take starters reps. Maier, who started 46 games in his first five years in the CFL, believes those changes don’t indicate that they are going to take their foot off the gas.
“You can't approach it that way. I've said this in the past: anytime you get the opportunity to play in a professional football game, regardless of what it means to the standings, you have to show the organization that you belong, that you've earned the right to wear this uniform for this team. You've got to let it all hang out there like you are a starter, like you are a guy that plays every week.”
With the results from the final two weeks of the regular season not bearing any impact on the Riders' playoff seeding, head coach Corey Mace will need to balance rest versus rust when it comes to preparing his team for the West Final.
“I don’t know that there is a specific recipe for that. You’re looking at risk-reward, who is banged up and could use a little bit of time. Then there are those rhythm guys who need the reps.”
Maier is grateful for the reps that he will get to stay sharp in case he is pressed into action, like Toronto’s Nick Arbuckle was in last year’s East Final and Grey Cup after the Argos’ starter, Chad Kelly, was injured in the East Final.
“That's a circumstance that we obviously hope we never have to see. But he's a great example of that, a guy that's been in the league for a while, and when he got his opportunity, he was able to lead his team to a championship. Any opportunity I can get to get the live reps is something I'm always going to be grateful for.”
Regarding preparing to start, not a lot changes for the 28-year-old Maier.
“Be more vocal in the huddle and on the field, making sure you're communicating with the group you're going to have out there with you as much as you can. In the quarterback room, Tommy [Stevens], Jack [Coan], Trevor [Harris], and I are together as much as we can, talking things out and formulating the things we need to do to succeed. So, as far as that goes, that won't change.”
However, he admits that not having started since Week 4 against B.C., it may take a minute to get up to speed, but it won’t take long.
“There's nothing like game-like experience. It's hard to simulate that. A lot of prep goes into the film room, and the reps I get behind Trevor every day. To be able to get yourself back into that fire again and feel the real speed of a real game, that's always the challenge. I'm fortunate enough over the last five years where I've started plenty of football games and once play one happens it feels like another game.”
The Saskatchewan Roughriders play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night. You can hear the game on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network starting with the Countdown To Kickoff at 3 p.m.
