‘He brings out the best in everyone’: Riders prepare to add Duke Williams to locker room

Duke Williams will be a new weapon for the Saskatchewan Roughriders — and offensive co-ordinator Jason Maas knows exactly what to expect.

Maas was the head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos — now known as the Elks — from 2016 to ’19 and during two of those seasons, he had the dynamic receiver at his disposal.

“The biggest thing about Duke is that he’s a physical presence on the field. He’s a big guy but he can run all the routes and he’s faster than you think when he’s on the field,” Maas said.

During his first season in the CFL, Williams grabbed 46 passes for 715 yards and four touchdowns. He then followed that up in 2018 with a CFL all-star season, catching 88 passes for 1,579 yards and 11 touchdowns.

That performance was good enough to earn him a chance in the NFL after he signed with the Buffalo Bills. He appeared in five games for the Bills in 2019 and 2020, catching 12 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown.

As Williams gets set to return to the CFL, Maas admits there will probably be a small readjustment period for the 28-year-old.

“How much of an adjustment depends on him. I don’t expect it to take very long. He will know the offence and I believe he will remember some of it; it hasn’t changed a whole lot,” Maas said.

Maas said the biggest thing Williams will have to overcome is ensuring he is in football shape and ready to go. Even if that’s not the case, Maas said Williams has proven he can overcome that.

“I’ve seen him in a training camp years ago when he wasn’t in great shape. He was still making plays and he was still noticed,” Maas said.

“He’s probably not in CFL shape and I think we all understand that, so it will take some adjusting. But I know he’s a competitor and he will work his tail off.”

Maas said general manager Jeremy O’Day did ask him about Williams to get a feel about how he would fit in with the locker room.

“Everyone knows Duke can play but Duke’s a great guy. I think the guys are going to love him and he brings out the best in everyone. He has an infectious smile, he’s a hard worker and he’s just a good dude,” Maas said.

Williams could be a shot in the arm the Roughriders need when it comes to their big-play ability. Through eight games, the Riders have only had 12 big plays — runs over 20 yards and passes over 30 — this season. That’s tied for fewest in the league.

During Williams’ all-star season, he averaged 17.9 yards per reception.

“I think everyone knows what he’s capable of and going down the field and grabbing balls as the deep threat,” Maas said. “But he’s also an intermediate guy (who can) catch things underneath and run. He became a very polished receiver with us.

“You can’t throw the ball deep to someone all the time and that’s all they catch.”

Dickenson said there were a few players whom the Riders were looking at to improve their roster, but Williams was Priority No. 1 for them.

“A big, strong and proven commodity in the CFL is something you want to go after. Little tweaks here and there can really make a difference down the stretch,” head coach Craig Dickenson said.

While Williams’ signing was met with excitement from Rider fans, the receiver won’t play against the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday as he is still in quarantine. He could suit up against the Stamps on Oct. 23.

Notes: Dickenson said Wednesday wide receiver Justin McInnis will get the start on Saturday against the Stamps, taking the spot of Mitch Picton … Kicker Brett Lauther practised Wednesday, but left early. He’s dealing with a head injury suffered in Saturday’s 23-17 loss to Calgary … The Roughriders are inviting fans to the ticket office at Mosaic Stadium on Thursday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., to have their proof of COVID vaccination verified in advance of Saturday’s home game.