Hugh Charles (21) of the Roughriders runs away from the Edmonton Eskimos’ Greg Peach (90) during Friday’s game. Regina, Sask. (Troy Fleece / Leader-Post)
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Regina Leader-Post
REGINA — Tailback Hugh Charles has been knocking at the door of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offence for the past three seasons.
Turns out special teams might be his way in.
Charles made a successful debut as a punt returner in Friday’s pre-season tilt with the Edmonton Eskimos, breaking loose for a 70-yard score in Saskatchewan’s 23-22 win at Mosaic Stadium. It was the first time in nearly four years that a member of the Roughriders had returned a punt for a touchdown. Jason Armstead was the last to do it, on July 20, 2007.
“Being my first time on the punt return, it was pretty exhilarating,” Charles said after Sunday’s practice. “Going into the game I knew I was going to get my opportunity to do returns. It was just a great experience. I hope to do more and contribute to the team because the last few years I’ve been able to contribute a little bit but I want to contribute every game. That was just a statement I have to make to get a spot on the roster.”
Charles has been the primary backup to veteran running back Wes Cates for the past three seasons, recording 60 carries, 315 yards (5.3-yard average) and five touchdowns. He also averaged 22.1 yards on 17 kickoff returns last season, but that was the extent of his special-teams contribution.
“Pop Warner, high school, college, I never did any punts,” he noted. “I don’t know why I never got into it. This is actually my first experience. I don’t have anything to lose. I’m just out there trying to make plays. I consider myself a game-changer. When I get my opportunities I have to run with it.”
Charles was given the heads-up by head coach Greg Marshall in the off-season that he’d get a shot in the return game. The 25-year-old import left nothing to chance, incorporating punt returns into his practice/workout regimen by recruiting high school kickers from his hometown to help him adjust to the angles and flight of the ball, which differ from kickoffs.
“That was a big help to get in the right position to get the ball and getting your hands right,” noted Charles, who says his comfort level on punt returns is about a seven out of 10. “I still have work to do. But I’m pretty comfortable with it, especially after Friday night’s game (under brutal weather conditions). I’m looking for more opportunities and to make an impact on this team . . . just contribute any way I can.”
Ultimately, Charles is hoping his work on special teams will lead to more action on offence.
“The biggest part about making the team and getting your opportunity on offence is special teams,” he said. “I do have the ability to be an all-around back. I definitely want to get that starting spot, but it’s all up in the air. Wes has the upper hand on all of us because he’s a seasoned vet and he has been in the limelight for six years now. They have that comfort level with him because he’s experienced. If Wes and I can be a duo this year and have two American running backs that would be the greatest thing . . . split some time and save each other’s legs and have a really good season.”
Marshall was understandably pleased with Charles’ first sampling on punt returns, not to mention what it could mean in the bigger picture.
“It was very good to see and we’ll continue to work with him and see how that progresses,” said Marshall, who likes the flexibility Charles provides when he’s on the roster. “That’s one of the things we talked to him about during the off-season: ‘We have to find ways to get you the ball, get you involved.’ If that means being a bigger part of the return game hopefully that’s what we can do, give him some plays on offence as well.
“He’s a very talented guy. He’s one of those guys that it doesn’t take a whole lot of room to get him into open space and once he’s in open space he’s very dangerous. He has been very solid in camp. Just cleaning up some protection things is probably his biggest challenge because that’s something he hasn’t been asked to do a lot of. That will continue to be a work in progress but as far as when he has had the ball in his hands he has been very good.”
Regina Leader-Post
gharder@leaderpost.com
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