Temperatures were near three degrees celsius with light rain throughout the practice session.
Players were again in pads for the workout, which started by focusing on special teams and executing a number of cover and return drills.
During the team period, third-year Riders’ offensive lineman Zack Fry was elevated to the first-team offensive line, where he took the majority of snaps at centre.
Offensive lineman Sean McEwen, who signed as a free agent with the Green and White and was projected to be the starting centre, was not at practice and has been ruled out by head coach Corey Mace for a while.
The 24-year-old Fry trained in the offseason, playing all positions along the offensive line.
“It's huge to be able to play anywhere and it's huge if you can play anywhere because that means you know everything in the playbook. The biggest thing on O-line is playing everywhere and doing your job well.”
Fry, the Roughriders’ second-round pick, 16th overall in the 2022 draft, started eight games at left guard in 2024. He is now working to transition his game from guard to centre, which isn’t as complicated as it sounds.
“At centre you're making those calls telling everyone where to go. It's more of a mental aspect before that snap of the ball. Then nothing changes after that. Take that guy and try to push him as far as you can.”
Fry said there is a lot of veteran support around him when making those calls.
“I think anyone on that O-line can play centre because everyone knows what to do and where to go. If I have a little mental lapse, many of the guys will help me with where to go. I'm familiar with the playbook as well. I think the guys we got will be good and we all know where to go.”
Mace is confident Fry and other players on the current roster will step up.
“No question. We've got other guys with experience in this league snapping the ball. You know, we still are pretty happy with where we're at in that room.”
In addition to the mental aspect, Fry has to be ready to physically start the play with the snap of the ball, which he worked on in the offseason.
“It's a little tricky at first, but once you get into the rhythm, you feel how the snap feels.”
If things are going right and you feel good, Fry said it will be easy to tell.
“If we're scoring points, guys are getting blown off the ball, and Coach Ed isn't yelling.”
***
Coach Mace wasn’t yelling at Monday’s workout, but wasn’t entirely pleased with the session in the cold and rainy conditions.
“I didn't honestly think we had our best practice. But we talk about looking at this as an investment opportunity for us. All the important games we play are going to be this or worse. That was the main thing we're looking for. I didn't quite think we met the standard, but I know how the response will be with this group of guys.”
The standout plays from today:
On a first-down play in the team's period, receiver Tommy Nield waggled to the line of scrimmage. On the snap of the ball, he ran a quick out pattern and was hit in stride, allowing him to turn upfield and tight-rope the sidelines 45 yards for a touchdown.
Brett Lauther had a busy day. He was working with long snapper Jorgen Hus and holder Bailey Flint, kicking field goals into the wind in the south end zone. Lauther converted on most kicks, including one from 45 yards with the wind and rain hammering him in the face.
The offence then took a turn, moving into the wind. After an incomplete pass over the middle, the offence regrouped. Kian Schaffer-Baker made the most of his head start and made a quick outside-in move on a slant. Trevor Harris found him immediately and Schaffer-Baker took the reception to the end zone from 50 yards out.
When the offence switched ends, they picked up where they left off. Harris would fake a handoff shortly into the session, roll to his left, and find KeeSean Johnson alone deep down the sideline. Harris would drop it into the second-year receiver's arms for a 40-yard touchdown pass.
Jake Maier then took a turn under centre. On one of his first passes, he looked to the far side and spotted Schaffer-Baker on a fade route that was good for a first down.
Tommy Stevens came in to guide the offence next. He would hook up with Schaeffer-Baker over the middle for a nice catch in tight coverage. Later, Stevens would toss a ball for Brayden Misseri that the young Canadian receiver could extend for the catch at the five-yard line.
The defensive plays of the day included Antoine Brooks Jr. knocking down a Jack Coan pass over the middle intended for Dhel Duncan-Busby. That was followed by rookie defensive back Phalen Sanford intercepting Harris after Jaxon Ford tipped his pass in the end zone.
***
Roster notes from day nine:
- No.48 Jordan Herdman-Reed and No.58 Justin Herdman-Reed were back on the field.
- No.76 – Johnathan Stevens - DL did not practice.
- No.91 – Aaron Patrick - DL did not practice.
- No.50 – Seth Hundeby – LB limited in practice.
- No.69 – Jahmir Ross-Johnson – OL received treatment and returned to practice.
- No.85 – D’Sean Mimbs – REC left practice and did not return.
- No.53 – Philippe Gagnon - OL left practice and did not return.
On Tuesday morning, the Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp continues at Griffith Stadium in Saskatoon.
