Latest news with #ShaneRay
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Davis: Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive line looking for another sack attack
Good job, D-line! Can you do it again? That's how things go in the CFL, where the Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive linemen just played their best, most dominating game of the season and are expected to repeat it Saturday when they visit the Montreal Alouettes. 'I think it was our best performance this year,' said defensive end Shane Ray, reflecting on the six (of eight) times Riders defensive linemen sacked Edmonton Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo in a 21-18 victory on Friday that improved Saskatchewan's league-best record to 6-1. 'You get two sacks across the board with me, Scoop (Malik Carney) and Micah (Johnson), that's big. To have eight sacks total, that's incredible! But we look at the film and we're like, 'Man, we left so many more sacks out there.' So for us it's about trying to capitalize and get the ones that we missed.' With starting quarterback Davis Alexander sidelined by injury, the 5-2 Alouettes will be led by veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Not a tremendously mobile quarterback, Bethel-Thompson plays behind an offensive line that has allowed only 10 sacks and gets only 4.7 yards per carry from running back Sean Thomas Erlington. The Alouettes practised all week without game-breaking receivers Austin Mack and Tyson Philpot. Ray and Bethel-Thompson were teammates on the 2022 Grey Cup-winning Toronto Argonauts. 'I played with McLeod and I think he's going to stand in there when he feels pressure,' said Ray. 'He's the kind of quarterback that's going to stand in there, try to make throws. That's what we're looking at with him. 'You know, he's not very mobile. But he can make the throws and he can obviously make the deep ball down the field.' Despite the all-star credentials of starters Ray and linemates Johnson, Carney and Mike Rose, who joined the Roughriders in the off-season from the Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan's defensive linemen weren't having an outstanding season before manhandling the Elks. They have been rotating nine players through the line and expecting the front four to pressure opposing quarterbacks while eight teammates dropped into zone coverages. 'It's getting better and better,' said Ray, a former Super Bowl winner who also joined the Riders in the off-season. 'Early in the season we were trying to build our chemistry. 'It's difficult to build chemistry. I was out for a couple weeks in training camp and the pre-season. We needed those first few games to understand how we all rush because how we work together is crucial. Though we've been rushing very well, we just haven't hit home.' Maybe they just needed a little help. 'We were getting all (quarterback) pressures but no sacks,' said Ray. 'To continue to have pressure on guys, especially guys that can't really move in the pocket, putting a phone booth around them, having guys close around him so he can't extend his arm and make those throws, that changes the game. That's what we've got to do as a D-line every week.' Against Edmonton, the Roughriders relied heavily on a five-man pass rush and frequently added a defensive back or another linebacker in six-man blitzes. Linebackers A.J. Allen and C.J. Reavis also sacked Fajardo, whose offensive line struggled to protect him. The blitzes were particularly effective in shutting down Edmonton's rushing attack, which gained only 25 yards and repeatedly forced the Elks into passing situations. And the final two sacks came on the game's last two plays. After the Roughriders — who have struggled to hold late-game leads — had been outscored 14-0 in the fourth quarter to make it a three-point game, Edmonton had possession on its five-yard line and needed 60 quick yards to try a game-tying field goal. Johnson and Ray snuffed out those hopes. Credit those big plays to the nine-man rotation keeping everyone fresh. 'We've got a lot of guys that can play,' said Ray. 'We would be doing guys like Habba (Baldonado) and Caleb (Sanders) a disservice if we didn't get them an opportunity to get on the field and make plays. 'Rotating and having guys we can trust when me or Scoop comes out, or Micah or Rose, we have that. To be able to rotate and be fresh at the end of the game, that's part of our chemistry.' Related The Big Question: Why can't the Saskatchewan Roughriders close their CFL games? Davis: Saskatchewan Roughriders eke out CFL victory over easy Edmonton Elks The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
Ottawa Citizen
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Davis: Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive line looking for another sack attack
REGINA, SASK : June 11, 2025-- Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Shane Ray (5) stretches during practice at AffinityPlex Indoor Soccer Centre on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Regina. KAYLE NEIS / Regina Leader-Post Photo by KAYLE NEIS / Regina Leader-Post THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. 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. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. 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 That's how things go in the CFL, where the Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive linemen just played their best, most dominating game of the season and are expected to repeat it Saturday when they visit the Montreal Alouettes. 'I think it was our best performance this year,' said defensive end Shane Ray, reflecting on the six (of eight) times Riders defensive linemen sacked Edmonton Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo in a 21-18 victory on Friday that improved Saskatchewan's league-best record to 6-1. 'You get two sacks across the board with me, Scoop (Malik Carney) and Micah (Johnson), that's big. To have eight sacks total, that's incredible! But we look at the film and we're like, 'Man, we left so many more sacks out there.' So for us it's about trying to capitalize and get the ones that we missed.' 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 With starting quarterback Davis Alexander sidelined by injury, the 5-2 Alouettes will be led by veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Not a tremendously mobile quarterback, Bethel-Thompson plays behind an offensive line that has allowed only 10 sacks and gets only 4.7 yards per carry from running back Sean Thomas Erlington. The Alouettes practised all week without game-breaking receivers Austin Mack and Tyson Philpot. Ray and Bethel-Thompson were teammates on the 2022 Grey Cup-winning Toronto Argonauts. 'I played with McLeod and I think he's going to stand in there when he feels pressure,' said Ray. 'He's the kind of quarterback that's going to stand in there, try to make throws. That's what we're looking at with him. 'You know, he's not very mobile. But he can make the throws and he can obviously make the deep ball down the field.' Despite the all-star credentials of starters Ray and linemates Johnson, Carney and Mike Rose, who joined the Roughriders in the off-season from the Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan's defensive linemen weren't having an outstanding season before manhandling the Elks. They have been rotating nine players through the line and expecting the front four to pressure opposing quarterbacks while eight teammates dropped into zone coverages. 'It's getting better and better,' said Ray, a former Super Bowl winner who also joined the Riders in the off-season. 'Early in the season we were trying to build our chemistry. 'It's difficult to build chemistry. I was out for a couple weeks in training camp and the pre-season. We needed those first few games to understand how we all rush because how we work together is crucial. Though we've been rushing very well, we just haven't hit home.'
Calgary Herald
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Davis: Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive line looking for another sack attack
REGINA, SASK : June 11, 2025-- Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Shane Ray (5) stretches during practice at AffinityPlex Indoor Soccer Centre on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Regina. KAYLE NEIS / Regina Leader-Post Photo by KAYLE NEIS / Regina Leader-Post THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. 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. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. 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 That's how things go in the CFL, where the Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive linemen just played their best, most dominating game of the season and are expected to repeat it Saturday when they visit the Montreal Alouettes. 'I think it was our best performance this year,' said defensive end Shane Ray, reflecting on the six (of eight) times Riders defensive linemen sacked Edmonton Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo in a 21-18 victory on Friday that improved Saskatchewan's league-best record to 6-1. 'You get two sacks across the board with me, Scoop (Malik Carney) and Micah (Johnson), that's big. To have eight sacks total, that's incredible! But we look at the film and we're like, 'Man, we left so many more sacks out there.' So for us it's about trying to capitalize and get the ones that we missed.' Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again With starting quarterback Davis Alexander sidelined by injury, the 5-2 Alouettes will be led by veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Not a tremendously mobile quarterback, Bethel-Thompson plays behind an offensive line that has allowed only 10 sacks and gets only 4.7 yards per carry from running back Sean Thomas Erlington. The Alouettes practised all week without game-breaking receivers Austin Mack and Tyson Philpot. Ray and Bethel-Thompson were teammates on the 2022 Grey Cup-winning Toronto Argonauts. 'I played with McLeod and I think he's going to stand in there when he feels pressure,' said Ray. 'He's the kind of quarterback that's going to stand in there, try to make throws. That's what we're looking at with him. 'You know, he's not very mobile. But he can make the throws and he can obviously make the deep ball down the field.' Despite the all-star credentials of starters Ray and linemates Johnson, Carney and Mike Rose, who joined the Roughriders in the off-season from the Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan's defensive linemen weren't having an outstanding season before manhandling the Elks. They have been rotating nine players through the line and expecting the front four to pressure opposing quarterbacks while eight teammates dropped into zone coverages. 'It's getting better and better,' said Ray, a former Super Bowl winner who also joined the Riders in the off-season. 'Early in the season we were trying to build our chemistry. 'It's difficult to build chemistry. I was out for a couple weeks in training camp and the pre-season. We needed those first few games to understand how we all rush because how we work together is crucial. Though we've been rushing very well, we just haven't hit home.'
National Post
11-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Roughriders training camp preview: Defensive depth
The 2025 Canadian Football League season is approaching as the Saskatchewan Roughriders have opened training camp. Article content After focusing on the offensive outlook in this recent article while also focusing on the special teams and coaches here, it's time to look at the defence. Article content With a plenty of newcomers and a few new players, this group is expected to be a dominant force in 2025, much like they were in 2024. Article content Article content As training camp gets underway Sunday, here's a breakdown of how the Roughriders defence looks heading into camp: Article content Defensive line Article content Thanks in large part to the play of their defensive line last year, the Roughriders allowed the fewest rushing yards against while recording 38 sacks (fourth in the league) and forcing a league-high 49 turnovers. Article content Can this group be even better than they were last year? While Miles Brown, Bryan Cox Jr. and Anthony Lanier II are no longer in the mix, the team has added Mike Rose and Shane Ray to complement fellow starters Micah Johnson and Malik Carney, with Caleb Sanders expected to see plenty of rotational playing time as well. Article content While it appears the starting four are set, training camp encourages competition and American rookies like Alex Grubner, Aaron Patrick, Kendy Charles and Justin Jefferson will surely want to show what they've got. Jordan Smith was cut prior to camp getting underway on Sunday. Article content As for Canadians, while four Americans are expected to start, the team also spent a first-round draft pick on Ali Saad while Charbel Dabire enters the season with a new contract hoping to get off to a strong start this season like he did last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Both of these guys, along with Benoit Marion and Lake Korte-Moore are expected to contribute when their number is called. Article content Article content While the team brought in Adam Auclair in 2024, it was A.J. Allen who made the most of his opportunity when he was on the field and let the Roughriders not retaining Auclair this off-season. While it's likely Saskatchewan will start three American linebackers this year (Thurman, Avery, Reavis), there's a chance A.J. Allen could see action along with Nick Wiebe, a second-round pick in 2024 who missed much of last season recovering from a knee injury.
Associated Press
17-03-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Nightclub Tragedy Proves Need for Fire Sprinklers: Could It Happen Again In USA?
Linthicum Heights, MD, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The world watches as news comes from North Macedonia, where a massive fire killed 59 people and injured 155 in a nightclub. Pyrotechnics are cited as the cause of the fire, which reminds Americans of the Station Nightclub fire, which occurred in Rhode Island in February of 2003. While all the details of the fire tragedy are not yet known, the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) points out that automatic fire sprinkler systems are the only active part of fire protection measures installed in a building that have the ability to control and contain a fire before the arrival of the fire department. When all other fire prevention and fire protection deficiencies are overcome by the fire, partners in protection are all that is left. Fire sprinklers and firefighters are partners in protection; mitigating the impact of fire on occupants, building owners, communities, and firefighters. Containing the fire to the object or area where it starts is the best way to save lives and protect property. This preserves business continuity, maintains economic viability, reduces the risk to firefighters, and reduces the impact to the environment for all communities. The NFSA expresses its sympathy for the victims of the North Macedonia fire and hopes that this tragedy will serve as a reminder that we must stay vigilant in our efforts to retrofit occupancies like these in the United States. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 provides a tax incentive for building owners to retrofit their buildings with fire sprinklers. For more information on this, please visit. 'I was a fire lieutenant in Brentwood, TN when the Station Night Club happened. I remember almost every fire department in America with a nightclub in its community put fire departments on inspection duty to ensure that didn't happen there. Six months later, very few fire departments did company inspections of those occupancies,' explains NFSA President Shane Ray. 'Over 20 years later, the codes and standards are now under attack more than I've ever experienced in my career because political decisions are being made on codes and standards that ignore the proven process of code development and fail to listen to input from fire officials that are still active in the process.' 'As a survivor of The Station Nightclub Fire, tragedies like this take us back to that moment that we lost so much,' adds Rob Feeney a survivor of the fire and now an Onset Fire Department Captain and Common Voices advocate. 'We have worked so hard with our advocacy efforts, and we continue to fight to raise awareness of the importance of codes, standards, and the installation of fire sprinklers.' About the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA): NFSA was founded in 1905 and wants to create a more fire safe world and works to heighten the awareness of the importance of fire sprinkler systems from homes to high-rise and all occupancies in between. The Association is an inclusive organization made up of dedicated and committed members of a progressive life-saving industry. This industry manufactures, designs, supplies, installs, inspects, and services the world's most effective system in saving lives and property from uncontrolled structural fires. For more information about fire sprinklers, how they work and access to additional resources and information, visit for the latest material, statistics and a dedicated team of fire safety advocates ready to serve all stakeholders to fulfill the vision of a safer world.
