“I thought last year, that was a perfect kind of mantra for us to kind of, you know, set the foundation of what we’re trying to build here.”
As the CFL’s winter meetings wrapped up, all eyes turned to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. General manager Jeremy O’Day and head coach Corey Mace shed light on their plans for the upcoming season in a recent media availability.
### Setting the Scene
Last year was a whirlwind of change for the Roughriders. With a new head coach, fresh staff, and a flurry of activity in free agency, they were in a race against time to establish their identity. However, this year tells a different story. According to Mace, “It’s not exactly a situation you want to be in when you have to be super active in free agency.” The focus now shifts towards retaining key players and fostering team camaraderie.
### Building Blocks: Offensive Line Focus
One key area of attention for the Roughriders is strengthening their offensive line with Canadian talent. O’Day emphasized the importance of solidifying this unit due to past injury challenges. The question remains – will they pursue established O-line players aggressively during free agency?
“We’ll see … It’s a fresh start for him.”
### Quarterback Conundrum
With Jake Maier joining as backup quarterback behind Trevor Harris, speculation arises about his future role. Both O’Day and Mace remain non-committal about Maier being Harris’ eventual successor. Mace values having depth at the QB position while praising Maier’s skills and experience.
### Defensive Dynamo: Malik Carney
Expectations are high for defensive lineman Malik Carney after signing an extension following an injury-impacted season. Mace sees immense potential in Carney’s versatility on the field but emphasizes the need for improved durability through injury prevention strategies.
### Fitness Challenges: AJ Ouellette’s Journey
Running back AJ Ouellette faced fitness hurdles in 2024 which affected his game time. As he works towards peak physical condition for the upcoming season, both Mace and O’Day highlight his value to the team when fully fit.
In conclusion, with stability taking precedence over upheaval this year and strategic focuses on critical positions like offensive line improvements and player health management, it seems that the Saskatchewan Roughriders are gearing up for an exciting 2025 CFL season filled with promise and potential growth.
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