The Saskatchewan Roughriders will begin the practice today with a new starting quarterback as they get set for a road clash this week against the BC Lions.
On Monday, during the “The Craig Dickenson Show” on the SportsCage with Michael Ball, the Riders head coach expressed confidence in Mason Fine.
Dickenson believes Fine has improved each year with the team and said the third-year quarterback won the backup position at training camp in Saskatoon.
“We’re thrilled to give him the keys and give him a chance to run the offence and I think he’s going to do well.”
Dickenson explained that the playbook will be adapted to the strengths of the North Texas product.
The Roughriders head coach said Fine’s strengths were his vision and the ability to throw the ball.
“The whole field is open to him when he’s back there and I think he’s got a little bit of a gunslinger mentality.”
Dickenson noted one thing the 26-year-old will have to do is throw the ball away instead of forcing play that could lead to a costly turnover.
Fine will get his third as a starting quarterback for the Roughriders. He replaced Cody Fajardo as the starting quarterback for the Roughriders in the team’s final two games last season, both against the Stampeders. Fine ended up with 364 passing yards and a touchdown, with Saskatchewan losing both contests to Calgary.
Trevor Harris is facing a lengthy recovery period after suffering a tibial plateau fracture. The quarterback was injured in Saturday’s loss to Calgary after he attempted to rush for a first down and was injured during the tackle. Harris was carted off the field and will require surgery.
One of the Best
Saturday night’s loss dampened the milestones achieved by the green and white side. Mario Alford brought the fans from their seats on a pair of occasions as he raced back two punt return touchdowns.
Alford now moves ahead of Corey Holmes for the all-time lead for return for touchdowns in Roughriders history (6).
Dickenson knew Saskatchewan was acquiring someone special when they picked up the returner from Montreal last year.
“All you had to do is look at the tape and you could se statistically he averaged about one touchdown every three games.”
The Roughriders head coach noted that he hated coaching against Alford and was thrilled when the green and the white acquired the returner, a move he gave credit to General Manager Jeremy O’Day.
Kicking Away
Brett Lauther’s inconsistent start to the 2023 season continued on Saturday, with the kicker going 1 for 2. Lauther missed from 54 yards.
Still, Dickenson has faith in Lauther. He doesn’t believe his injuries hasn’t factored too much into his performance so far.
“The reality is, his injury is not much. ”
The Roughriders head coach explained that the kicker has been dealing with a lingering hamstring issue. He added that if Saskatchewan were in a crucial game tomorrow, Lauther would be kicking for the green and white.
Dickenson explained that Lauther’s name appeared on the injury report because he didn’t practice the entire week and added that the team must approach with caution in the future.
On Saturday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will head west and visit the BC Lions for the first time this season. Countdown to Kickoff begins 620 CKRM coverage at 2:00, the opening kickoff is at 5:00.
