Tyron Brackenridge adjusting to life at linebacker

It appears that change could be a good thing for the Riders Tyron Brackenridge.

The man who has been the team’s safety for the last two-plus seasons was moved closer to the line of scrimmage against Calgary playing weak-side linebacker for a good portion of the game.

“It was hectic down there. There’s a lot going on. It was kind of fun. There’s more action, the game is a little quicker down there. You really have to protect yourself,” he said.

Brackenridge admits he was a little sore compared his previous starts at safety after taking on big offensive linemen and running backs throughout the game. The move closer to the line of scrimmage doesn’t only allow Brackenridge to be more involved in every play on defence, according to defensive coordinator Greg Quick, it allows him to get a better feel for the game and use that to his advantage.

“My heart is big enough to play any position on the field.” -Tyron Brackenridge

“Like his interception last week. Was he exactly in the right spot? Probably not. But, I don’t think there’s anybody on the sidelines, in the stands or listening that didn’t think that was a great play,” said Quick.

Brackenridge will likely remain at linebacker for at least another week. Because of that, Brackenridge knows he has plenty to work if he’s going to remain success in that role.

“Just getting better with my eyes. Just cleaning up the mistakes I did last week,” he said.

“In some cases be more patient, in some cases just clean up some techniques.”

Brackenridge is seen by many to be undersized for the position, but that isn’t deterring the team from doing what they think is right.

“We’re going to do things to try and protect him as much as we can,” said Quick.

“The trend is toward hybrids. So those Will-linebacker-hybrid kind of guys, I think, are the wave we’re moving to in the CFL.”

Quick feels putting Brackenridge in that spot simply gives them more options when it comes to what they can do defensively out of the position.

“I think it puts us, again, on the leading edge instead of the trailing edge of the CFL,” he said.

For his part, Brackenridge isn’t worried about being “too small” for the position either.

“My heart is big enough to play any position on the field. Therefore, whoever said that can eat that,” Brackenridge said with a laugh.

NEWS AND NOTES

Another young receiver will be making his debut against Ottawa on Sunday. Naaman Roosevelt will take Devin Wilson’s spot in the starting lineup after Wilson was injured during the loss to Calgary.

A change is also being made along the defensive line. It appears Markus White will return to the roster replacing Derek Walker.

Quarterback Kevin Glenn was seen throwing on his own at practice on Friday. Glenn wasn’t throwing more than 20 yards. Chamblin feels Glenn is still three to four weeks away.