THE CANADIAN PRESS
There has been a very pleasant sight for head coach Ken Miller to enjoy at the Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp.
Slotback Weston Dressler, the CFL’s outstanding rookie in 2008, is back making catches and running crisp pass routes after suffering a broken leg and sprained ankle in a 32-22 win over the Toronto Argonauts on Oct. 10, 2009.
The injury forced Dressler to miss Saskatchewan’s late-season run to top spot in the West Division standings as well as the team’s heart-breaking 28-27 Grey Cup loss to the Montreal Alouettes.
"He’s running his routes very smoothly and just has those soft hands," Miller said. "Really, it’s given everybody a lift to have him running with the offence.
"We’re going to watch him very closely and not let him overdo it. We want him on the field as much as he can, but the most important thing is to make sure he is successful when the season starts."
The five-foot-seven, 179-pound Dressler has made an immediate impact with the Riders. He had 56 catches for 1,123 yards (20.1-yard average) and six TDs as a rookie, then had 62 receptions for 941 yards and four touchdowns before being injured last season.
It’s unsure whether Dressler, 24, will suit up Sunday when the Roughriders host the B.C. Lions in the first exhibition game for both teams. However, Dressler left little doubt as to whether he wants to play.
"I’m looking forward to Sunday’s game," said Dressler. "That’s why you play the game."
All eight CFL teams play their first exhibition games Sunday. In other games, the Toronto Argonauts host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Alouettes are in Winnipeg to face the Blue Bombers while the Edmonton Eskimos entertain the Calgary Stampeders.
While Dressler’s return is indeed a boon for the Riders’ offence, the club still has questions about its defence. With the departure of ends Stevie Baggs and John Chick — the CFL’s top defensive player last year — to the NFL and retirement of veteran defensive back Eddie Davis, Saskatchewan has some big holes to fill during the exhibition season.
But the Riders are anxious to lock up Dressler to a long-term deal. The native of Bismark, N.D., is entering his option year and would become a free agent in February 2011 if he didn’t re-sign with Saskatchewan.
"That is one of our top priorities to get him re-signed" Miller said. "Brendan (Riders GM Brendan Taman) has been talking to his agent.
"It’s something we’re really interested in getting done."
B.C. will be anxious to improve upon last year’s 8-10 record, the club’s first losing mark in head coach/GM Wally Buono’s seven seasons there. The Lions open camp with veteran Casey Printers at the helm after he re-joined the club late last season upon being released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
It was a busy off-season for the Lions, who lost tailback Martell Mallett — the CFL’s top rookie last year with 1,240 yards rushing — as well as fullback Rolly Lumbala and receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen to the NFL. Mallett signed with Philadelphia while Lumbala and Grice-Mullen went to Miami.
What’s more, veteran safety Barron Miles has retired and is now an assistant coach with the club. Miles had a CFL-high eight interceptions last year. The Lions also released such veterans as linebacker Javier Glatt and offensive tackle Jason Jimenez.
Here’s a look at the three other exhibition games.
Hamilton versus Toronto
The Argos play their first game under new head coach Jim Barker, who replaced the fired Bart Andrus. One of Barker’s first orders of business in rebuilding a club that went 3-15 last year was to release quarterbacks Kerry Joseph, Cody Pickett and Stephen Reaves. Toronto signed newcomers Cleo Lemon, Ken Dorsey, Dalton Bell and CIS career passing leader Danny Brannagan. All four are expected to play versus Hamilton. The Ticats, who were second in the East Division, have a solid 1-2 punch at quarterback with Kevin Glenn and Quinton Porter. Hamilton also has sophomore running back DeAndra’ Cobb and former Argo slotback Arland Bruce III. The club also picked up veteran receiver Maurice Mann from Edmonton.
Montreal versus Winnipeg
There’s a new look in Winnipeg with rookie head coach Paul LaPolice and former B.C. quarterback Buck Pierce. LaPolice served as an assistant with Saskatchewan last year and replaces the controversial Mike Kelly, who was fired after missing the playoffs with a 7-11 record. Pierce spent five seasons with B.C. and completed a stellar 65.2 per cent of his passes with 48 TDs against 31 interceptions. However, he battled an assortment of injuries before being released after the ’09 campaign. Marc Trestman, the league’s top coach last year, returns to Montreal and again has a veteran-laden squad. It includes CFL MVP Anthony Calvillo at quarterback and slotback Ben Cahoon, although the Alouettes lost starting centre Bryan Chiu to retirement.
Calgary versus Edmonton
Eskimos head coach Richie Hall returns for his second season but has also assumed the defensive co-ordinator’s job following the resignation of Jim Daley. The job is nothing new for Hall, who was Saskatchewan’s longtime defensive co-ordinator before heading to Edmonton. Ricky Ray returns at quarterback and the emergence of Arkee Whitlock at tailback helped eased the decision to release Canadian Jesse Lumsden. There are questions about Calgary with the departure of offensive co-ordinator George Cortez (Buffalo, NFL), receiver Jeremaine Copeland (trade, Toronto) and offensive linemen Dimitri Tsoumpas (Miami, NFL), Jeff Pilon and Jesse Newman (both retired).
