There is a buzz slowly starting to build in Rider Nation, as the team wrapped up the pre season with a win over the Edmonton Elks. After a few years of disappointing seasons, fans are starting to get excited again for what could be a good year.
Coaching and personnel changes in the off season have brought about good competition at key spots during training camp in Saskatoon, and through two pre season games. Now, its decision time for the green and white, who need to cut down their roster by midnight, June 1st.
The hottest competition seems to be behind Trevor Harris at quarterback. Nathan Fine and Shea Patterson played a lot of minutes against the Elks on Saturday.
Fine played almost all of the first half, going 9 for 11 and 75 yards, with a touchdown.
“Edmonton gave us some tough looks, got some pressure, you have to be able to get the ball out of your hands and put it into your playmakers’ hands. Make plays and execute to the best of my ability,” Fine said.
Shea Patterson went five for eight passing or 80 yards and ran once for 11 yards. Rookie QB Jack Coan completed one-of-three passes for three yards and Antonio Pipkin went zero-of-one in limited action.
Patterson, who completed three-of-three passes for 52 yards and one touchdown on Monday versus the Blue Bombers, has made his case to be No. 2 with a productive preseason.
“I wanted to accomplish being the quarterback this team needs to win. Do my job within the offence and get us out of bad situations if that happens, take care of the ball, move the chains,” Fine told 620 CKRM post-game.
This week leading up to the final roster cuts could be intense at practice. The Riders have returned to Regina, where the team will continue to practice at Mosaic Stadium each weekday starting at 9:30am.
The Riders have some time to continue their preparations for the season, with the team opening up the season on the road against Edmonton June 8th. The Riders will play Hamilton in steel town Sunday June 16th before the home opener at Mosaic Stadium against those same Ti-Cats on Sunday June 23rd.
–With files from Justin Dunk–
