It was a busy final Friday before the Riders open the 2011 season at home on Sunday against the Edmonton Eskimos. There is a lot of stuff, so let's get at it:
- Receiver Cary Koch suffered severe damage to his left thumb on Thursday and was wearing a large cast on Friday. Head coach Greg Marshall wasn't sure if there was a break or ligament damage. Koch told Glenn Reid of CBC that the thumb was broken in three places and he would be out three to six weeks. That remains to be determined. What we do know is Ernie Wheelwright will take over for the injured Koch. Be neat to see what the 6-foot-5 receiver can do, but it's too bad about Koch. That means three of five starting receivers from parts of last season - Andy Fantuz, Koch and Bagg - won't be on the opening-day roster.
- Marshall officially hasn't decided on who will be the placekicker on Sunday. He said he would decide between Eddie Johnson and Chris Milo while working out the 46-man and ultimately 41-player active roster for Sunday. The ratio may have a lot to do with how it all shakes out. I'm betting Eddie Johnson handles all three duties on Sunday and he has already let the secret out.
- I would guess Jerrell Freeman is questionable for Sunday's game. He has some sort of upper body injury (Marshall's description, not mine) and didn't work out a lot with the first-team defence. Kye Stewart appears to be the man if Freeman hasn't recovered in time. Marshall is being cautious with Freeman, adding it's only one game in an 18-game season.
- I understand there are about 1,000 tickets remaining for Sunday's game. Not a sellout yet, but with the weather looking great, I expect it will be.
- Receiver Cary Koch suffered severe damage to his left thumb on Thursday and was wearing a large cast on Friday. Head coach Greg Marshall wasn't sure if there was a break or ligament damage. Koch told Glenn Reid of CBC that the thumb was broken in three places and he would be out three to six weeks. That remains to be determined. What we do know is Ernie Wheelwright will take over for the injured Koch. Be neat to see what the 6-foot-5 receiver can do, but it's too bad about Koch. That means three of five starting receivers from parts of last season - Andy Fantuz, Koch and Bagg - won't be on the opening-day roster.
- Marshall officially hasn't decided on who will be the placekicker on Sunday. He said he would decide between Eddie Johnson and Chris Milo while working out the 46-man and ultimately 41-player active roster for Sunday. The ratio may have a lot to do with how it all shakes out. I'm betting Eddie Johnson handles all three duties on Sunday and he has already let the secret out.
- I would guess Jerrell Freeman is questionable for Sunday's game. He has some sort of upper body injury (Marshall's description, not mine) and didn't work out a lot with the first-team defence. Kye Stewart appears to be the man if Freeman hasn't recovered in time. Marshall is being cautious with Freeman, adding it's only one game in an 18-game season.
- I understand there are about 1,000 tickets remaining for Sunday's game. Not a sellout yet, but with the weather looking great, I expect it will be.
