Brendon LaBatte has a clear vision of his future with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.
It involves him lining up at left guard in 2017 — and beyond.
“I told Coach (Chris) Jones I’ve still got a lot of things that I aspire to do in this league that I haven’t done yet,” LaBatte said. “My motivation is to work with these young guys every day — and outwork them. That’s my approach day to day.”
LaBatte’s future has been a topic of discussion since he got hurt in a game July 16 against the B.C. Lions — Saskatchewan’s third contest of the 2016 regular season. He missed the final 15 games of the Roughriders’ campaign.
During a media conference Feb. 15, Jones was asked about LaBatte’s status. Jones said the guard had received some positive medical news, but the head coach/GM said the Roughriders planned to “reserve judgment until we actually see him.”
That prompted some observers to suggest that LaBatte’s return to the Roughriders in 2017 was in doubt. The 30-year-old Weyburn product doesn’t share those doubts.
“I know there’s all sorts of stuff being said, but it’s water off a duck’s back for me,” said LaBatte, who’s preparing for his sixth season with the Roughriders and his 10th in the CFL. “I’m just looking forward to getting back on the field.
“I plan to show people, not to talk about it. I’ll show up and be ready to go. That’s my attitude and that’s my intent.”
LaBatte was injured when he was trapped at the bottom of a pile on a screen pass. Initial testing suggested he had a concussion, but he recalls feeling more “frozen” than anything.
He admitted there subsequently was some dizziness and trouble with his vision, but he was never sure it was a concussion. Finally, on Dec. 9, he got some clarity.
During a visit with Dr. Andrew Cordover at the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center in Birmingham, Ala., LaBatte was diagnosed with a bruised nerve in his neck.
“When I went into the meeting, I wasn’t sure if they were going to say, ‘You’re done playing,’ so there were a lot of emotions going on,’’ LaBatte said. “But he sat me down and went through everything and essentially put his reputation on it.
“He gave me a bunch of probabilities and stats. He said I’m more likely to be killed in a car accident than I am to have this be a recurring deal. When you hear that, it really puts your mind at ease.
“I went in not knowing what to expect and came out with the picture never being more clear.”
Cordover walked LaBatte through the required rehabilitation and the long-term prognosis. When LaBatte said he hoped to play at least five more years, Cordover replied that the nerve — once healed — wouldn’t keep him from attaining that goal.
It certainly hasn’t been a problem since that meeting. Working under the tutelage of Roughriders strength and conditioning co-ordinator Clint Spencer, LaBatte has been happy with his progress.
“Working with Coach Clint, it has been all green lights,” said LaBatte, a seven-time division all-star and the 2013 winner of the award as the CFL’s most outstanding offensive lineman. “We’re doing everything all out and there’s nothing on my end that feels like it has hindered me this off-season.
“Even a lot of the rehab that we were doing trying to treat it has really helped out this off-season. I feel like I’m going to be a better player than I was at the start of last season because, physically, this is probably the best all-around that I’ve felt.”
The Roughriders certainly could use a healthy LaBatte in 2017.
With him and right guard Chris Best out of the lineup last season, Saskatchewan’s offensive line struggled in both the run game and pass protection.
Best announced his retirement on Thursday, so there will be auditions to fill that spot. If LaBatte returns — as he’s vowing to do — that will address a major need.
And getting on the field again will address a need for LaBatte.
“(2016) was the first year I really got dinged up and had to spend some time away from it,” he said. “It just kind of refocused and re-energized me in a lot of ways.
“In terms of the body, if you had to try to take a positive out of the negative, the knees have never felt better and the lower back has never felt better. I’m feeling good.”
