Murray McCormick
The Leader-Post

REGINA -- There is no respite from the scrutiny at the Saskatchewan Roughriders' rookie camp.

Riders head coach Ken Miller told the first-year players and quarterbacks participating in this year's rookie camp that the evaluating isn't limited to what takes place on the turf at Mosaic Stadium.

"I told the players that they are being evaluated in everything that they do,'' Miller said after Wednesday's opening session of rookie camp. "It's from how they go through the food line to how they react to the support people and how they treat the bus drivers. They are being evaluated in every possible way.''

That evaluation extends to how the players react in meetings before and after their on-field sessions. The coaches note the type of questions that are asked during meetings and which players pick up on the systems the best.

"We watch for the ones who make the best suggestions or demonstrate leadership,'' said Miller. "Those are things in addition to their ability that go into our decisions.''

How the players perform on the field is the final piece to the overall evaluation.

"That's the name of the game because we have to have people who can finish and can close the deal,'' Miller said.

TOP PICK PERFORMS WELL

Shomari Williams, the first overall pick in the 2010 CFL draft, made his debut as a member of the Roughriders during Wednesday's rookie camp.

The defensive end was pleased to take to the field for the first time after being selected by the Riders on May 2.

"It has been a long road since the draft,'' said Williams. "It has been day after day of waiting to play football. It was good to get on the field. I felt it was a good first day and my goal is to get better at training camp every day.''

It also appeared that Williams made an early impression on Miller.

"We didn't have to coach him up too much other than in schemes,'' said Miller. "He just did what he does. He's very athletic and very quick.''

Williams seems to be taking the attention of being the first overall pick in stride.

"The only pressure is what I put on myself because I'm pretty hard on myself,'' said Williams, who shared in the 2009 Vanier Cup championship with the Queen's Golden Gaels. "I know being the first pick that I have to come out and produce but I don't worry about what everyone else is thinking.''

TURNING HEADS

Williams wasn't the only player who caught Miller's attention on Wednesday.

The Riders head coach was impressed with import defensive end Brent Hawkins and import receiver Aaron Fairooz.

"Fairooz is a big receiver who caught everything that was thrown his way,'' Miller said. "There may be others but those three really stood out.''

DINWIDDIE SURPRISES

Ryan Dinwiddie was surprised by his performance on the opening day of rookie camp.

Dinwiddie was making his first appearance at a CFL training camp since being released by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2009. Dinwiddie was cut before the Blue Bombers opened training camp.

"I thought I would be rustier than I was because I was throwing to rookie receivers who don't know the league,'' said Dinwiddie. "I had to get used to the speed because during the off-season you try to throw to as many guys as you can. It's obvious that you're throwing to guys who are a little less skilled than ones up here. I was a little rusty on the speed thing but I will catch up in a couple of days.''

NOTES: Import running back Lavarus Giles was the lone no-show on Wednesday. It's believed that Giles is delayed by a personal matter ... Of the 34 players listed on the Riders' rookie roster there are 26 imports and eight non-imports ... Veterans are to report Saturday and main camp begins Sunday at 8:15 a.m. ... Teams must reduce their rosters to 68 players and non-counters by 9:59 p.m. on Saturday. Non-counters include players selected in the 2010 CFL draft and two non-imports or players selected in a previous draft who have never attended a professional training camp in Canada or elsewhere and any junior player.