Roughriders training camp: Green and White Day set for Saskatoon
“If they haven’t had a chance to come out and catch practice, there’s been a lot of big plays happening out this way."
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Call it ‘pre-‘ pre-season preparation for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Riders will get to show their stuff once again in a controlled scrimmage setting, when the annual Green and White Day takes place Saturday afternoon at Saskatoon’s SMF Field as the team prepares for its upcoming pre-season games.
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For Rider fans, it’s a chance to get a glimpse of the Green and White squad ahead of its first pre-season match, May 24, against the Blue Bombers in Winnipeg.
And what can fans expect?
“Just a lot of energy, a lot of juice, something to cheer about,” says Riders head coach Corey Mace.
“If they haven’t had a chance to come out and catch practice, there’s been a lot of big plays happening out this way. It’s a chance for our fan base to get closer to the team, see them in live action and see how we’re going.”
Gates at SMF Field will open at 1 p.m.. The national anthem and a mini “Bring Em Out” team entrance will begin at 3:45 p.m. with the scrimmage set to begin at 4 p.m., followed by an autograph session along the SMF fence.
Prior to the game, Rider play-by-play announcer Dave Thomas will host a panel discussion, starting at 1:45 p.m., in the Gordie Howe Sports Complex main hall with Mace, president and CEO Craig Reynolds and vice-president of football operations/general manager Jeremy O’Day.
Off-field activities include performances from the Rider cheer team, the Rider Pep Band and Gainer the Gopher, along with face-painting, inflatables, music and games.
The Riders will hold the event after six days of main camp in Saskatoon, where wild-fire smoke rolled into town Thursday morning.
A year ago, the Riders proceeded with their Green and White Day despite smoke in the air, although they kept the scrimmage short and sweet.
Mace has been happy with all facets as camp has progressed this year.
“I’m really excited about how our offence is moving the ball and the run game,” said Mace, who enters his second season as head coach. “All of our quarterbacks are seeing it real nice and our receivers are running great routes. Defensively, (while) throwing a little more on their plate and how they’re handling that, it looks really good. The standard we have for causing and creating turnovers, those are still there.”
‘SKY’S THE LIMIT’’ FOR MAGICAL MILLIGAN
What can Rolan Milligan do for an encore?
Last season, the Riders star defensive back racked up eight interceptions, 71 defensive tackles and 20 special team stops.
“I can say anything I want (but) he’s got a standard for himself,” Mace says of Milligan. “It’s crazy or not, but he’s not complacent with what he’s done last year. He identified a few things he wanted to work on this off-season, and you’ve seen it translate already in camp. So for Ro, the sky’s the limit, man.
“He’s an incredible player, incredible leader — he even doesn’t have to say anything and guys will follow him. Those are the kind of guys you like.”
FORMER STANDOUT RB COACHING THEM UP
It looks like former CFL standout running back Andrew Harris hasn’t lost a step transitioning to the coaching ranks.
“No. 1 thing you can tell: He loves ball. He loves football,” assessed Mace. “That’s a big part. It’s just his knowledge of everything, not only the playbook and the scheme of what it’s like, but also being in the situation of being the ball carrier and how to train those guys’ eyes and what to look for. It’s been a really nice addition, man. He brings energy and juice for us. It’s been exactly what we expected.”
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