Keith Price ready for increased role with Riders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will have a new backup plan heading into their Labour Day match up with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

With the release of quarterback Tino Sunseri earlier this week, Keith Price moves up the depth chart to number two behind Brett Smith.

“I’ve been adjusting. The offence is coming to me. Obviously, there’s still a lot I need to learn,” said Price.

The move to release Sunseri in favour of younger players like Price and Blake Sims speaks to the overall shift within the team’s philosophy this week.

“Winning is our focus this year. As well we’re looking for the future,” said interim head coach Bob Dyce.

“At times, Tino has had plenty of opportunities to show where he stood in our depth chart. At this time, we just made a decision that going forward we’re going to go in a different direction.”

Price been with the club basically for the past year, after signing late in September last season. Price left in the off season and then returned soon after Darian Durant was injured in the season opening loss to Winnipeg.

So, even though Price has been with the team on-and-off for a while, he’s never actually had a chance to attend a training camp to really get a grasp on things.

“It is unusual. But, I’m playing the cards that I’m dealt right now. I’m always playing from behind,” he said.

“This week has been awesome. Just getting out there and getting reps with the ones. Understanding different protection and plays.”

This week has really been Price’s first chance to work with the starting offence, even if it was on a limited basis.

So far, Dyce has liked what he’s seen from Price.

“I’m really impressed with the Keith. The command he has, what we have to understand that Keith didn’t get very many reps of our offence and to see where he is at the end of day three’s practice. I’m very impressed with Keith,” he said.

Dyce does imagine they’ll be taking a look at Price in game action at one point or another this week. Now, they have to make sure he’s as ready as he can be for when that time comes.

Whenever that time comes, Price is excited for it.

“I’m hungry, I’m hungry. Every quarterback wants to play and if you don’t want to play, you probably don’t need to be here,” he said.

“Just the things I’ve been through the last couple of years. Me actually touching the field would be awesome.”

Just how long Price remains in the role is unknown. Veteran Kevin Glenn can begin practicing with the team again next week.