Dressler, Demski working hard as Roughriders camp wraps up in Saskatoon
With a new season fast approaching, the Riders are working on consistency and solidity
For weeks, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have been working hard in Saskatoon.
Training camp at Griffiths Stadium has seen some injured players, including Weston Dressler, return on the field. For rookies like Nic Demski, it's been a time to prove his talent on the gridiron.
The 21-year-old receiver from Winnipeg was the team's first pick in the 2015 CFL Draft.
"You know it takes a lot of hours off the field, just as it does on the field," Demski said. "It is a big mental step, not just physical step going from the CIS to CFL."
Head coach Corey Chamblin has noticed it has not been an easy transition for Demski, despite his speed.
"He's done some things to impress me. He has also done some things to get on my bad side as well, by putting that ball on the ground," Chamblin said. "If he wants to be a part of this team, be part of the action, no matter how fast he runs, he better learn how to hold on to that ball."
'Get the rust off early'
Weston Dressler is excited to be back on the field with the Green and White.
The star receiver said he has recovered from an injury and is glad to be back at home. Dressler came back to the Roughriders mid-season last year after his NFL dreams were dashed.
Chamblin said Dressler won't be behind this year.
"Even though we have a new system, he'll start learning in training camp and he'll get the rust off of him earlier, rather than later, and he won't be behind the eight ball," Chamblin said.
Dressler agrees.
"I'll just be a lot more comfortable out there," he said. "Comfortable working with everyone and comfortable with the playbook. We're all getting to that point where we are getting more comfortable with everything and hopefully we just develop that chemistry as a group."
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will head home to Regina on Wednesday. The team takes on the Calgary Stampeders Friday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.
The Riders open the regular season at home against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday, June 27.