Considering how horrendous Saskatchewan’s 3-15 campaign was last season, it’s hard to believe the Roughriders actually led the CFL in rushing yards. But keep in mind, the two main guys who carried the mail for Saskatchewan in 2015 are gone. Now it’s up to Curtis Steele to propel the Riders ground attack.
“It’s very exciting but it comes with a lot of pressure too,” said Steele. “I got to be a leader out here on the field.”
The 2015 season wasn’t a whole lot of fun for the 29-year-old running back. Steele suffered a knee injury during the Toronto Argonauts training camp and only ended up playing the final six regular season games. But all of that is in the past. Steele is looking forward to a fresh start in Saskatchewan under the guidance of Riders head coach Chris Jones, a man Steele has known for approximately ten years.
“I’ve known him, gosh, since he was 19 years old,” said Jones. “He’s a real good kid, he’s a solid guy and he’s good in the locker room.”
“He followed me through my junior college and also NFL career,” Steele continued. “I tried out for (Toronto) and ever since then we’ve just been in touch.”
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Right now Steele is the Riders projected starting running back but the Franklin, Tenn. native is facing some stiff competition at training camp.
Prior to joining the Riders this off-season, Matt Walter spent his entire four year CFL career as a backup to Calgary Stampeders star running back Jon Cornish. Walter believes he’s ready to take the next step in his CFL career. The 26-year-old is fully prepared to compete with Steele for the starting running back job.
“I’m a fast hard hitting running back and I think I haven’t always had the opportunity to show that,” said Walter. “Thankfully playing against Jones for a number of years when he was in Toronto, I guess he’s seen it so that’s why he brought me on.”
Steele is aware that Walter is pushing for the Riders starting running back job, and frankly, he’s okay with it. As far as Steele is concerned, competition is a good thing.
“I’m the starter right now, but that don’t mean anything. I could have a bad day, he could come in and have a great day and I’ll be behind him,” said Steele. “That’s what we’re here for. To compete everyday, and not just in my position but across the board.”
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