May 31, 2016

Coors Light Training Camp 2016- Offensive Line Breakdown

It has been wildly discussed across the Rider Nations that their beloved Green and White will live and die with the health of quarterback, Darian Durant. While this is somewhat true, it does put a lot of pressure on a veteran group of offensive linemen that want to make up for a difficult 3-15 season.

It was a tale of two seasons for the offensive line in 2015. They led the CFL in rushing yards, rushing yards per game and average gain per rush. On the other hand, they also tallied a CFL high 64 sacks for the season.

Those sack numbers are not all on the offensive line, but as a unit, they want to bounce back and be consistent both running and passing the football.

There are familiar faces along the line with all four of the five starters from last season returning. Consistency here will be key and the communication of Offensive Coordinator Stephen McAdoo, to Offensive Line Coach Mike Scheper, to the line itself will be important at the beginning of the season as the offence is being implemented. Veterans here are an asset.

For the sake of simplicity, this will be broken down into three groups: returning starters, Canadian interior linemen (centres and guards) and American tackles.

Returning Starters
LT – Xavier Fulton (5th SSK/5th CFL)
LG – Brendon LaBatte (5th SSK/9th CFL)
C – Dan Clark (5th SSK/5th CFL)
RG – Chris Best (10th SSK/10th CFL)

The four returning starters have more combined experience than the other 11 offensive linemen in camp combined. Change is nothing new to them as Mike Scheper is this core’s fourth offensive line coach in five seasons (2012 Kris Sweet, 2013-14 Doug Malone, 2015 Dan Dorazio).

Brendon LaBatte is on his way to a CFL Hall of Fame career. In 2015, he was named a CFL All-Star for the third year in a row– the fourth time in his career–and was also a West Division All-Star for the seventh straight season.

After Darian Durant, Chris Best is the elder statesman on the Riders and along with LaBatte, will be the anchors at guard and will smooth out bumps in the transition to yet another new offence.

Dan Clark returns for his second year at centre. 2015 was his first crack at the starting role at centre and his progression from the beginning of the season to the end was monumental. Not just physically handling the biggest players along the defensive line, but also making all of the line calls.

Rider fans received a gift before the beginning of Training Camp with the return of fan favourite, Xavier Fulton. He has been one of the most underrated left tackles in the CFL for many years and has solidified himself as one of the best tackles in the league.

Canadian Interior Linemen:
Andrew Jones (1st SSK/8th CFL)
Matt Vonk (3rd SSK/3rd CFL)
Aaron Picton (1st SSK/1st CFL)
Alex McKay (6th round/52nd overall 2016 CFL Draft, Manitoba)
Kadeem Adams (FA, Western)

CFL veteran, Andrew Jones was brought in for stability along the offensive line and will push for a starting spot. Matt Vonk has improved enough over the last few seasons to earn another contract with the Riders and should also push for a spot on the game day roster.

Three rookies round out the group; former University of Regina Ram, Aaron Picton (who rights were acquired from Calgary last season in exchange for Randy Richards), 2016 CFL Draft pick, Alex McKay and free agent pick up Kadeem Adams.

American tackles:
Jarriel King (1st SSK/4th CFL)
Thaddeus Coleman (Mississippi Valley)
Will Corbin (Appalachian State)
Kenny Estelle (West Alabama)

Jarriel King was picked up in the offseason in exchange for defensive tackle Andre Monroe. King is a pro football vet with a two seasons in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks before spending the past three with the Toronto Argos.

Thaddeus Coleman is a pro football vagabond, having spent time on 11 different NFL, CFL and Arena rosters in nine years played. He was with the Eskimos since 2013 before the Riders acquired him in exchange for two negotiation list players. Coleman started 21 games with Edmonton over the past three seasons.

Will Corbin and Kenny Estelle are in their rookie CFL season with the Riders.