'It created an opportunity': Departure of 3 starting linebackers leaves hole for Riders' newcomers
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defence is still feeling the effects of losing three starting linebackers from 2019.
“I love all those guys, got good relationships with them, it’s part of the business,” Jason Shivers, the Riders’ defensive coordinator, said. “And it created an opportunity.”
Middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian retired, weak-side linebacker Cameron Judge signed with the Toronto Argonauts and strong-side linebacker Derrick Moncrief signed with the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL.
Seun Idowu is one of the players making the most of the circumstances. The Pitt Panthers’ alumnus has been getting a significant amount of repetitions at the middle linebacker position during training camp.
“When you get an opportunity like that you gotta step in and really just reach for those and try to fulfill those to the best of your ability,” Idowu said.
In 2019, the 24-year-old from Wexford, Penn. registered 15 tackles on defense. Idowu played behind Elimimian, a West Division all-star in 2019, and soaked up what he could from the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2014.
Idowu is also trying to learn as much as he can from Larry Dean. The linebacker was one of four players who tore his Achilles at pre-camp and was a three-time divisional CFL all-star. Dean was expected to start in the middle linebacker position this season.
“I’ve seen him play, love his playstyle love everything he does. Definitely a big fan of his, didn’t get a chance to really tell him that but he’ll probably see this,” said Idowu.
Micah Teitz has been seeing practice action on the weak side. Teitz, a Calgary product who also played with the University of Calgary Dinos, has been with the Riders since 2018 but made his first start on defence in October 2019.
Mike Edem, who has played safety with Saskatchewan since 2017, is currently getting repetitions in the strong-side linebacker position.
“The more you can do the longer you’ll last. Versatility is the key thing in this game and I pride myself in being versatile,” Edem said. “It’s team first, so anywhere the team needs me, that’s where I’m going to be and I’m going to give it my all.”
Edem has always been a vocal defensive captain. Shivers says he moved Edem into the strong-side linebacker position to inject more leadership and experience into the group.
“Felt good putting him there, that he could help lead that group, even with Larry Dean being there and being a vet,” Shivers said. “Just somebody that Larry could lean on and ask questions.”
LACEY SIDELINED UNDER COVID-19 PROTOCOL
Riders’ linebacker Deon Lacey didn’t practice on Tuesday; the 30-year-old is now on COVID-19 protocol, according to the Riders.
Lacey reported to Riders’ training camp a day late, on Sunday. Players were required to quarantine for a week before joining the team and to provide three negative COVID-19 tests before joining the team.
The linebacker practiced at training camp on Sunday and Monday. Following training on Tuesday, head coach Craig Dickenson said Lacey had to quarantine another day.
The Riders then issued a statement saying Lacey is now in COVID-19 protocol, but wouldn’t provide details on what that entailed.
Dickenson said Lacey would be back at practice as soon as possible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.