Roughriders receivers’ reliability is uninterrupted in a season filled with change
Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris didn’t even have to utter a syllable to honour the CFL team’s receiving corps on Friday.
Images of several Roughriders pass-catchers appeared on a customized shirt Harris wore while meeting the media in advance of Saturday’s Western Semi-Final against the B.C. Lions (4:30 p.m., Mosaic Stadium; tickets are available HERE).
“I just like to represent for the boys,” Harris said. “I got one made for the O-line and I wanted to have one made for the receivers — although, with the injuries and whatnot we’ve had this year, I probably need to make a new one.
“I’m thankful for my teammates and I just want to support them and let them know how I feel about them.
“I’ve got tons of love for them, so they get to see themselves on a T-shirt roughly once a week.”
In 2024, Saskatchewan started nine different receivers over the 17 regular-season games that had a bearing on the West Division standings.
Yet, the Roughriders were able to lead all playoff-bound CFL teams in passing first downs (252).
Among West teams that qualified for the post-season, Saskatchewan was first in touchdown passes (27), offensive points per game (25.2), offensive TDs (45) and pass efficiency (98.1).
“From Day 1 of training camp, my message was, ‘You’ve got to know the offence. You’ve got to know the concepts,’ ” Receivers Coach Marquay McDaniel said.
“To me, the talent is always there. It’s just guys getting in there and knowing what they’re doing and being comfortable with it.”
The comfort level was such that Harris, who on Wednesday was named the West’s All-CFL quarterback, led the league in efficiency rating (102.8).
Samuel Emilus, who had a career-high 87 catches for 1,064 yards, also made the divisional dream team.
Emilus started in the same position for the first 17 games before being rested in the regular-season finale.
Over the same 17-game span, there were a combined 22 changes at the other four receiving positions.
At one wide receiver spot, for example, Saskatchewan started KeeSean Johnson (Game #1), Mitch Picton (2-7), Ajou Ajou (8), Dohnte Meyers (9), Picton (10), Shawn Bane Jr. (11), Meyers (12), Bane Jr. (13-14) and Dhel Duncan-Busby (15-17).
Eight changes at one spot!
There were six transitions at one slotback position, which was manned by Jerreth Sterns (1-9), Bane Jr. (10), Kian Schaffer-Baker (11), Bane Jr. (12), Ajou (13-14), Bane Jr. (15) and Sterns (16-18).
At an accompanying slot position, there were four changes over 17 games as the Roughriders went from Schaffer-Baker (1-6) to Johnson (7-8) to Ajou (9) to Johnson (10-11) and back to Schaffer-Baker (12-17).
The remaining wide receiver spot — also with four changes — was occupied by Bane Jr. (1-3), Johnson (4), Bane Jr. (5-9), Meyers (10-11) and Johnson (12-17).
“Our coaches tell us to learn all positions from Day 1,” Johnson said. “You have to come in, take that into play, and hold yourself accountable to learn all the positions. I feel like that’s the easier way for you to get on the field.”
McDaniel was quick to concur.
“If you only know one spot, you’re limiting your chance of getting in the game,” he said. “If you know multiple spots, now you’ve got a chance to really get in there sooner than if you only knew one spot.
“Those guys are smart guys. They’re smart football guys. That’s Number 1. They want to play, so you’ve got to know what you’re doing if you want to play here.”
The acclimatization process was quick and effective in the case of Johnson. He made eight starts as a wideout and four more in the slot during his introductory CFL season.
In the latter role, he was able to take advantage of the waggle — a running, pre-snap start at the line of scrimmage. Wide receivers, by contrast, must be stationary when the ball is snapped.
Johnson was accustomed to the latter routine during his time in the NCAA and NFL. The waggle did not become a part of his repertoire until he debuted in the CFL.
“You’ve got to take whatever extra reps you can get with the quarterbacks and get used to the waggle,” Johnson said.
“There’s much more to do. You can always be better at something, so we work on those things every day at practice.”
That mindset helped Johnson catch 56 passes for 746 yards and five touchdowns over 12 regular-season games.
After sitting out the regular-season finale as a precaution, he is to return to action for Saturday’s home playoff game.
The Roughriders’ receivers will have plenty to say, at least in terms of performance, as to the outcome.
“I told those guys that, as far as one through five, I think they have more talent than the teams I played on in Calgary,” said McDaniel, a three-time 1,000-yard receiver as a Stampeder.
“With Sam and Kian, there’s no ratio. Talent-wise, they’re top guys in the whole league.”
The production extends far beyond Emilus and Schaffer-Baker, both of whom are Canadians.
“If you look at the American and Canadian side, we’ve got some depth and that’s huge to me,” McDaniel said.
“It’s a long season and you never know. If you can lose a guy and you can plug a guy right in and he’s productive, it makes your job easier.
“You’ve got to give credit to those guys for buying in from Day 1, understanding what the message is, and being ready when their number is called.”
