McCray expected to replace Alford as Roughriders visit Lions on Saturday
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Alford sustained a hip injury in Saskatchewan's Week 6 loss against the Calgary Stampeders and isn't expected to be in the lineup this week when the Roughriders (4-1) visit the B.C. Lions (3-3) on Saturday (5 p.m., TSN, CTV) in Week 7 of the CFL season.
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'He went and got some final imaging (Tuesday), so we're just waiting on the results,' said Roughriders head coach Corey Mace. 'It's probably going to be tough for him to go this week.'
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That leaves 5-foot-9, 185-pound rookie Drae McCray as the next man up to serve as Saskatchewan's primary returner after an impressive pre-season earned him a spot on the practice roster behind Alford to start the season.
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'(Alford's) been playing out of his mind I thought to this point in the season,' said Mace. 'It just sucks.
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'(But) we all have confidence in Drae to be able to be able to go out there and execute and make plays.
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'He proved enough throughout the pre-season (and) training camp. I know he's excited and guys are going to be excited to block for him as well.'
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In the pre-season, the 22-year-old McCray showed flashes of playmaking ability with three kickoff returns for 110 yards and five punt returns for 46 yards in Saskatchewan's first exhibition contest before logging two more kickoff returns (54 yards) and two punt returns (40) yards in the second pre-season game.
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'It helps a lot just getting the reps under my belt knowing what to expect that may come in a game,' said McCray, who signed with the Riders this year after a college career at Texas Tech and Austin Peay . 'I'm thankful people have been helping me bringing me along.
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'I'm excited for an opportunity if it comes.'
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'He just helps me wherever I need if he has a tip or something, or if I have a question,' said McCray. 'Sometimes we bounce ideas off each other just to help each other get better.
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'He's been a really big help and a really good mentor for me.'
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And it hasn't just been this week, but since landing on the practice roster to start the season, McCray has been learning everything he can from Alford, who ranks fifth among the CFL's top returners all time with 12 career return touchdowns.
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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Quicker than anyone could have imagined, it appears to be happening here in Larry Thompson's first true year of ownership of the Edmonton Elks, after purchasing the once-proud CFL team last August. When Thompson stepped forward, enthusiastically buying the club he has loved since childhood, there was plenty to be optimistic about. Just prior to the purchase, following a frustrating 0-5 start, Chris Jones was relieved from his coaching duties by Rick LeLachuer and the board. In retrospect, it's worth noting that four of those five losses were by three points, including three by field goals as time expired. Get the latest sport headlines and breaking news. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again And while we're looking back, it's worth noting right before Thompson came aboard as the private owner, interim head coach Jarious Jackson had won back-to-back games, beating Saskatchewan, 42-31, and B.C., 33-16. Those first signs of success brought hope, and gaining a private owner with Edmonton roots brought even more. Then a few months later, the decision to go all in on Edmonton football ties — with former players Chris Morris as club president, and Ed Hervey as general manager — seemed to generate even more optimism. Admittedly, some wondered why Jackson, who had gone an impressive 7-6 under the interim tag, was never given serious consideration to remain on as head coach. But the hiring of the well-liked Mark Kilam, with strong Edmonton ties himself, seemed to fit the local model. So too did the hirings of co-ordinators Jordan Maksymic and J.C. Sherritt, with one having growing up in St. Albert and the other a former Green and Gold great. 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Was it the general manager, or was it a coaching decision exclusively? This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Regardless of how the decision was made, some coaches around the league are whispering that this Edmonton staff is putting far too much pressure on the young QB's shoulders. Does the criticism have merit? Fair or not, five games in, and the second-guessers have yet to be proven wrong. Opinions are one thing, but facts are facts, and they can be unpleasant. One ugly fact, in comparison, is that Jones and Jackson's Elks led the CFL in rushing in 2024. Now let's look at the running-back totals from their last game. Combined, Justin Rankin and Javon Leake had five carries for six yards. That's 1.2 yards per carry. Last year, Rankin averaged 7.8 and Leake averaged 6.5, which placed them first and third in the CFL's final stats. It's worth noting that Stephen Sorrells returned as the club's offensive line coach. Has he forgotten how to coach? Have Mark Korte, Martez Ivey and Brett Boyko suddenly become bad players? If not, then play calling has to enter the discussion. Ford is still young, playing-wise. Blaming him is easy. But in fairness, he's not Michael Reilly. Maybe too much is being asked of him at this stage. After having this past bye week to review, fans have to be hoping to see a more balanced offensive approach, including trying to run the football more, like the 2024 Elks did under Jones and Jackson. That would be the first step toward taking some of the pressure off Ford's shoulders. This much is obvious: The current approach isn't working — not on offence or defence. And unfortunately, both the team record and attendance prove that. After three home games, the Elks are averaging 16,200 per game. Last year, the average home attendance across nine games was 20,499. Right now, Jackson's 7-6 turnaround is looking better and better by comparison. But coach Kilam doesn't wear the disappointment alone. Many factors and decisions are coming into public debate, including a really young defensive staff. If coaches outside of Edmonton are correct, some of those hires were recommended, and in some cases, even pushed for by management. This much we should all be able to agree on; five games, as ugly as they've been, shouldn't define a new owner, president, GM or coaching staff. I believed Morris and Hervey were the right leadership duo back when they were named. And still do. This year may bring more pain before gain. Hope is still justified, along with some patience too. But the reality is the football product has gone backward. This team is much worse than the 2024 version, or at least has been thus far. That wasn't the plan, nor the expectation. Ugly football brings empty seats, as we're witnessing. Larry Thompson deserves better. And sooner rather than later. Luckily, he's in construction. And builders have the wisdom to understand that while some projects get off to a rough start, the final product can still prove to be a winner. Here's to hoping and believing that applies to the Morris, Hervey and Kilam regime, all of whom have Grey Cup championships on their resumes. In terms of their current struggles, though, and the need for renewed hope, a bounce-back win in Saskatchewan sure would go a long way. On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge
