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Jaxon Ford turned some heads in the Saskatchewan Roughriders preseason game — and not just because he was in a new jersey number.
The Regina product had four tackles and a tackle-for-loss as a safety in the team’s 15-9 CFL preseason loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
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“It felt pretty good. I was prepared and it was day 18 of camp, so I was feeling pretty good,” Ford said.
It’s a new look for Ford this year as he switched from number 17 to 21 — the same number his grandfather Al wore when he played in the CFL for the Riders.
“It’s sweet. New number, new me,” Ford said. “It means a lot not only to me but the whole family. I remember he was very emotional about it and me too. It means a lot.”
Head coach Corey Mace also praised the third-year safety for how he played in the game.
“We should have changed his number maybe a couple of years ago. I didn’t have the pleasure of watching Al when he was out there and if he was anything like that but Jaxon looked like a different guy,” Mace said. “He played really well so really pleased with his effort there. He’s setting a new bar for himself and that’s the expectations we expect from him.”
Another player who helped his case to earn some more playing time was receiver/returner Drae McCray.
McCray handled all the kick return duties for the Riders in the first preseason game, which included a 51-yard kickoff return in the second quarter.
“It felt good just to be playing football again in general. It felt good to suit up and have fun,” McCray said.
He’s been able to pick the mind of veteran Mario Alford, who was the 2022 CFL’s most outstanding special-teams player.
“Mario has been great. On Saturday, he was helping me get lined up and teaching me, ‘Hey, if this situation comes, do this and that.’ He has been a great person to take me under his wing and teach me the nuances of the game and I am grateful he is here,” McCray said.
While there were some flashes, there is room for improvement ahead of Friday’s preseason rematch against the Bombers, this time at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 5 p.m.
“It wasn’t the efficiency or execution that you want in the end but it’s just a small thing here, a small thing there,” said quarterback Trevor Harris, who was 3-for-8 on passing for 38 yards.
“Dohnte (Meyers) gets tripped up on a dig route — I think the (defensive back) swiped his leg — (otherwise) he has a big one there. Then we had a couple batted balls down, some miscommunication but like I have been saying all camp — this is about as good as I have felt about a team coming out of training camp.”
The Riders are back home at Mosaic Stadium for the remainder of the camp after spending two weeks in Saskatoon.
But Mace said it has some pros and cons to wrap up camp in Regina.
“It’s good to get everybody into the flow of things in terms of how we operate when we are at our home facility. At the same time, it felt like we were midseason here and I think in the practice, some of us lost sight of what we are supposed to be doing out here during this time,” Mace said.
“We still have a week of camp. Yes, it’s good but if you don’t keep a close eye on it, you can get complacent being back in a place you’re comfortable in.”
News and notes
- Linebacker Jameer Thurman and C.J. Reavis along with safety Nelson Lokombo didn’t practice on Monday. Mace said none of the injuries are anything to be concerned but the focus is on getting them ready for Friday’s game and then Week 1 against the Ottawa Redblacks on June 5.
- Linebacker Antoine Brooks Jr. once again had a good day in camp, recording two interceptions. The second of those would have been returned for a pick-six.
- On offence, Harris was accurate down near the goal-line and hit both Sam Emilus and KeeSean Johnson for touchdown passes.
- Saskatchewan signed offensive lineman Jack Sherwin and global kicker Joe Couch. Couch was among the first cuts from training camp but has been brought back. The team released national kicker Brian Garrity.
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