Ian Hamilton
The Leader-Post

REGINA -- For the Saskatchewan Roughriders' offensive linemen, the war in the trenches will begin with a major battle among themselves.

The Roughriders have 13 offensive linemen on the roster -- a number that will reach 14 if 2010 draft pick Patrick Neufeld signs before the CFL team's rookie camp -- and they'll be fighting for spots throughout training camp.

"Let the best man win," says Roughriders offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry who, as a former offensive line coach with the Montreal Alouettes, is eager to see the combatants go at it. "It always sorts itself out.

"It's nice going in with the idea that every spot is available. Nobody's going in saying, 'I've got a job.' You can't say that here."

That applies even to veterans Gene Makowsky (who's entering his 16th season with the Roughriders) and Jeremy O'Day (who's going into his 14th season in the CFL and 11th in Saskatchewan).

"They've got to come in and show their game is still where it used to be," Berry says of that duo. "If they're good, they're good."

Competition is expected all across the line during training camp.

O'Day has the inside track in the middle, with the unproven Jonathan St-Pierre the only other true centre in camp.

Marc Parenteau and Chris Best finished the 2009 season as the starting guards, but Makowsky started the campaign at guard before suffering a knee injury. After he returned from that injury, Makowsky was moved to left tackle.

Dan Clark and Nick Hutchins -- products of the Regina Thunder and University of Regina Rams, respectively -- spent the '09 season with the Roughriders and have that experience under their belts. They too could push for guard spots.

Add to the mix Kelly Bates, who signed a free-agent deal with the Roughriders in the off-season. The eight-year CFL veteran started at guard for the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The tackle spots also are up in the air -- and the import ratio will be a factor in the Roughriders' decision.

Joel Bell, who as a rookie was the starting right tackle for most of last season, is back. So is Belton Johnson, who missed most of the '09 season with leg and chest injuries after opening the campaign as the starting left tackle.

Throw in three-time CFL all-star Dan Goodspeed -- signed as a free agent in the off-season -- and the Roughriders have three import tackles who all have played in the league.

And then there's non-import Wayne Smith, who's back after missing the '09 campaign with a ruptured Achilles tendon. He was one of the Roughriders' starting tackles in '08 after playing guard previously.

Bell, Johnson and Smith may have an advantage in that they've worked with the Roughriders' veterans before, but Goodspeed played for Berry in Winnipeg and is familiar with his system.

Veteran Jordan Rempel and Neufeld will provide more non-import depth along the line during camp (although Neufeld is expected to return to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies for the 2010 season).

"We know we've got talent," Berry says of the O-line. "It's hard to say who's going to emerge as the most dominant guy. I can't put my finger on that yet. I just know I'm pleased as punch to have this many guys and to know that, on every snap, we've got guys who'll bust their ass because they're all worried that, 'I need my job. I want my job.' "

The players who win the jobs will comprise a unit that will try to help the offence improve on last season's numbers. Saskatchewan was fifth in the CFL in rushing (109.6 yards per game) and sixth in sacks allowed (41) in '09.

"If we go with the same offensive line as the (one that played in the 2009) Grey Cup, that'll be great because they're all good players," Berry says. "But if somebody comes in and beats out one of those guys, that'll be good, too, because we know he'll be a good player."


courtesy of www.leaderpost.com