The over 100 players that made up the Rider roster at minicamp 2016 came from far and wide. There was a solid contingent of Canadians, experienced CFL’ers (Dan LeFevour, Chevon Walker, Paris Cotton), invites from the Free Agent camp that preceded minicamp in Vero Beach, players with NFL experience, raw rookies, small school stars (Rasheed Williams from Albany State, Terrance Cobb from Cumberland College, Marte Sears from Faulkner) and big-time NCAA college stars (Shay Hodge from Ole Miss and Robert Sands from West Virginia). It didn’t matter what their background was, they all had the same opportunity to make their mark and garner an invite to Training Camp 2016 in Saskatoon.
The compete level was high at all positions as Head Coach Chris Jones and his staff got absolutely everything they could out of each and every player in camp. Just how many will be at Training Camp is anyone’s guess, but there is a definite possibility that at least one or two future Rider stars were at this camp.
A few things really were evident:
– This was a camp full of athletes at all positions.
– The defence will be long, fast and aggressive
– There were no passports at this camp. The Canadians did themselves very well against the highest level of American competition
– All of the QB’s in camp can throw the rock
– Darian Durant looked great and might be in the best shape of his career
– The battle at the two tackle positions will be a great battle at Training Camp
– The defence will be very physical and the offence very efficient
The next important date will be the CFL Draft on Tuesday, May 10th where the Riders will have the first overall pick then a pair of picks early in the 3rd round. Then it all begins in the final weekend of May with Coors Light Training Camp in Saskatoon.
Get ready Rider fans…it’s going to be a wild ride!!
