With a crucial portion of the off-season set to begin, Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson was getting ready to return to the Queen City on Monday.
The football team will spend the rest of this week preparing themselves for free agency in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Before he left Montana, Dickenson made his weekly appearance on the SportsCage with Michael Ball.
Free Agency
Starting on Sunday, teams will have the opportunity to speak with free agents across the league.
Dickenson is expecting some changes from last season’s Saskatchewan roster.
“We could sign everybody if we want but at the same time is that the best interest of the team and is that the guys you want?
Over the next three to seven days, the Riders head coach thinks a flurry of activity will take place.
February 14 marks the official beginning of free agency.
Jeremy Clark
Last week, the Roughriders announced the signing of defensive back Jeremy Clark to a one-year contract extension. Dickenson says the former University of Michigan Wolverine brings some key traits to the green and white defence.
“He’s got some length to him, he’s got some toughness to him.”
The Riders head coach added that Clark is among the league’s elite.
“He’s shown that when he’s playing his best, he’s one of the better ones out there. ”
The secondary has been one area the Roughriders have focused on this off-season with the signings of Clark, Rolan Milligan and Nick Marshall.
The Riders head coach believes Clark is a piece of the puzzle for the Riders.
WR Vertical Playmaker
A piece missing from the Roughriders lineup last season was a deep threat at wide receiver. The Riders head coach says that is something the team is looking to address this off-season, but he’s not sure if that will happen in free agency.
He explains having a vertical playmaker can help the Saskatchewan offence.
“A guy that has enough speed that he can take the top off the coverage.”
Coaching Staff
The calendar will flip over to February in a couple of days and the Roughriders have a couple of vacant spots on their coaching staff. The team is still looking for a defensive line and a receivers coach.
Dickenson said the team will be speaking to three candidates for each position and hopes to have the coaching staff filled by the first week of February.
He noted it’s important to have the coaching staff set before the beginning of free agency.
