The starting quarterback position for the Saskatchewan Roughriders may be settled with Trevor Harris in the fold, but there is still plenty of competition behind him.
Mason Fine, Jake Dolegala, Shea Patterson and Levi Lewis are jockeying for positioning behind Harris.
Last season both Fine and Dolegala acquired some starting experience, with Dolegala pressed into duty against the Toronto Argonauts when the Roughriders were battling COVID. Fine started the last two games of the season against the Calgary Stampeders after the team decided to sit Cody Fajardo.
Riders Mason Fine
Fine says that his goal has always been to get one year better.
“Obviously my rookie year I came in here, year 2 you want to make that next step, year 3 now I want to learn as much as I can from these older guys and try and get one year better and try and be the best quarterback that I can be for this team. ”
Entering his second season with the Roughriders, Dolegala believes being more familiar with the Canadian game will help him. The Central Connecticut product felt last year during the pre-season his inexperience was evident.
“It was hesitation out there, wasn’t feeling fully like I had a full grasp of it.”
Both players are working with a new offensive coordinator this season, Kelly Jeffrey. The former running backs coach was promoted to offensive coordinator after the team relieved Jason Maas from his duties in November.
Fine wants to carry over the strong relationship he established with Jeffrey last year.
“I love playing for him, he likes to joke around. ”
The University of North Texas product is excited about the offensive scheme Jeffrey has constructed.
“Feel like we can be explosive and put some points up. ”
Dolegala believes the schemes this season are much easier for the players to digest.
“I think it’s hitting the guys brains a lot quicker.”
With Harris entrenched as the team’s starter, both quarterbacks know it’s vital to build a solid relationship with the Riders starting quarterback. The quarterback group got together before training camp for a chance to get to know each other better. Both players had nothing but high praise for Harris after their early encounters.
Everyone in the organization hopes that everything goes to plan with Harris as the team’s quarterback in 2023, but like all things in life, it’s important to have a good backup plan in place.
Training Camp Day 2 Notebook
— One of the highlights during practice was linebacker Kolby Harvell-Peel recording an interception off of Harris.
— Following tomorrow’s practice, the Roughriders will have to make some tough decisions as they try and get their roster down to 75 by midnight. Head coach Craig Dickenson hopes the rule can be changed in the future to allow some players a better opportunity at camp.
— After a couple of light days to start camp, the players will be wearing pads tomorrow, which should make for some heated battles under the blazing sun on Tuesday morning.
