Riders look to piece offensive line together following release of Rodgers
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will have a new face at right tackle this week after the release of Na’Ty Rodgers on Monday.
“Two things: he wasn’t playing well enough and he was taking too many penalties and that’s something we’ve been adamant about from the get-go,” said head coach, Craig Dickenson on the decision to release Rodgers.
Na’Ty took two holding penalties and one objectionable conduct penalty against the Elks last week. However, he had started nine games with the team at right tackle, which means the spot is now up for grabs.
Dickenson said the spot will be given to Jamal Campbell or Andrew Lauderdale when initially asked on Tuesday.
Left tackle Terran Vaughn has yet to practice this week due to a lower hamstring injury but coach Dickenson is not counting him out yet.
“We feel like our offensive line could still play even if they don’t practice,” he said.
“It’s Campbell and Lauderdale or Campbell, Lauderdale, and Vaughn, depending on how Vaughn does. He’s still not out of the mix.”
Lauderdale has filled in at Vaughn’s position twice this season already.
“We practice together all the time so I’ve definitely learned from him. He’s definitely a good mentor to be behind. I feel comfortable going in this week,” said Lauderdale.
If Campbell were to get the start this week against B.C., it would be his first since signing with the Riders.
“I’m just looking at it as an opportunity. Every guy here we’re all prepared to step in when our name is called and pretty much that’s all that matters is performance and how you do when your name is called,” said Campbell.
However, the offensive line has been struggling all season with penalties and have allowed 32 sacks, which is a league worst.
“I don’t think any guy is looking at it and saying, ‘Wow, look at that, what happened?’ We already have that in our head and we do things on our own to keep each other accountable on stuff like that,” said Campbell.
On the defensive side of the ball, Dickenson said, “all signs point to (Pete) Robertson and (A.C.) Leonard being back in the lineup.”
However, Dickenson confirmed wide receiver Kyran Moore will need at least another week. Fans got their hopes up when he attended practice on Tuesday and was thought to be a potential starter this week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Being harassed at work? What to consider when deciding what to do next
If you've been the victim of workplace harassment, it can be difficult to feel you're not alone - and even more difficult to know where to go with a complaint.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Half of Canadians support TikTok ban, with U.S. concerns 'trickling' north: poll
A new poll indicates 51 per cent of Canadians support banning the social media app TikTok, after a U.S. bill aiming to do just that passed in the House of Representatives.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.