Riders Ready For Main Camp

One more sleep.  That's all that separates the misery of the off-season from the joys of a new year.  It's been over 210 days since the Riders last scrimmaged in a game and oh how things have happened since that fateful Saturday afternoon in November.

Unfortunately for the Green and White, most of the off-season news has been bad.  Despite signing hometown star Jason Clermont,the team has been followed by a black cloud at virtually every other turn.

The Tillman case, the departure of Richie Hall, the exodus of defensive players (Jones, Lloyd, McKenzie, Gordon...) are all stories the team would probably rather not put press releases out about.

But, all that is in the past and with the start of camp, hope springs eternal.  Coach Miller has a little bounce in his step.  D-Coordinator Etcheverry smiled briefly on Friday.  Alex Smith gave a wink and a nod.  Despite everything that's gone on off the field, this team looks as if they're ready to get down to business on it.

As the players try and construct a game on the field, the heavy construction to add new seats on the south side of the west stands is ongoing.  Just one sign that things are good in the land of the green.  But in many ways, the two acts are mirroring each other.

The Riders go into camp with some serious questions at the Quarterback & Linebacking positions.  Only time will tell if the team has the right answers for these spots, but it will take that time.  The Riders coaches, players and fans all need to show the patience of a surgeon on this one.  

The team is headed into camp with 68+ hopefuls and really only a few starters spots up for grabs.  Hopefully the key positions sort themselves out in a clear manner. Hopefully the skies stay clear for the next couple of weeks. 

We'll see in a few weeks first hand when the team hosts its pre-season game on the 23rd.  But until then, it'd be to quick to crown or clobber anyone at any position.