Monday Morning Sentimonies: Main Camp

Hello football. Goodbye any conversation or personal relationship not based on football for the next 6 months. 

There is a real sense of optimism surround the Riders this year. Most likely due to the fact that for the first time in many years we enter the season looking to build on a strong foundation from last season, rather than try to desperately patch up a broken and generally pathetic foundation.

Of the 45 players that suited up in the 2024 West Final 34 are returning and only 6 of those gone were starters. That does not leave a lot of open spots for newcomers to crack the team. Good problem for O’Day and Mace to have, tough gig for the players. Anyone wanting a roster spot better show up Sunday ready to answer the call… unlike Zach Collaros.

Let’s take a look at some of the spots they may be up for grabs.

Back-up RB

For most of last season Thomas Bertrand-Hudon (aka le Camion Canadien) was our back-up RB and that likely continues. But one of the new American RBs will be making this team in some capacity. Given his CFL experience Khalan Laborn will have a leg up in the competition. Much as I would love to see what someone of Pennix’s size can do, big RBs don’t often pan out up here. Its often not the size of the RB but their motion that matters.

American WR

The departure of Sterns and Bane still being injured in the short term leave openings at WR. Johnson is going to have a big year and I remain a big believer in Meyers. That leaves at least one spot. My eye is on Wayne Ruby who had a strong rookie camp and Drae McCray who is a solid returner. I don’t think Alford is lock on this team anymore so if someone can be a strong returner and be more than an occasional emergency WR, they have a chance to unseat him.

Canadian WR

With Emilus and Baker entrenched as starters, depth at the position is a must. Duncan-Busby pencils in as one of those depth guys. That leaves old reliable Picton competing with Mimbs and Nield. I am an unabashed pro-Picton guy given his ability to know and back-up every position. But the bigger, younger Nield should push him hard in Camp.

O-Line

I know this Hardrick, Ferland and McEwen will be starting. Tate and Gagnon will start camp as the likely starters at the other 2 spots but I don’t think they are guaranteed anything. Fry could easily leapfrog Gagnon and maintain the starting spot he held at the end of last season. Brammer and Kemp (along with a chance of a returning Reid) could push Tate.

I will be watching to see the progress of Canadians like Daniel Johnson and Zerr. Based on how last season went its likely one or both of them will get called into action at some point.

D-line

I fully expect the starters to be Carney-Johnson-Rose-Ray with Baldonado, Korte-Moore, Dabire and Colonel Sanders as the back-ups. That means a newcomer is going to have to be damned impressive to be anything but a practice roster guy to start. But at 29, Carney is only starter under 30 so the search for the “next ones” remains important. In particular while we have a lot of good D-ends, we lack a dominant one. I think our strength is the interior of that line and it will make the job of the Ends’ easier but if an A-a-ron Patrick or Jordan Smith could step up that would be great. 

American Linebacker

We have great depth at Canadian LB (Allen, Herdmans, Straker, Exume, Oneyka) but while our starting Americans are rock solid (Avery, Thurman, Reavis), depth behind them is concerning. I expect a few DBs to get moved to LB in camp but currently our only other American LBs are Braxton Hill and Aubrey Miller. I think Miller has a real chance to take the next step. 

Punter

It’s the epic Flint vs. Couch battle. It will not be super exciting to watch and you may not care who wins but of all the battles occurring in camp this one is probably the most impactful.