Saskatchewan Roughriders' offensive lineman Logan Ferland believes there is always room to improve, even if the Green and White offensive line is doing well.
"We're never satisfied," Ferland said to voice of the Riders' Dave Thomas. "That's the really special thing about this group is that we're continuing to push and not to get complacent."
After Week 5, Saskatchewan ranks first in the CFL in offensive points with 117 while leading the league in rushing with 554 yards and sit tied for second in sacks allowed with five through four games.
The Riders made signings in the off-season to bolster the team's offensive line in Sean McEwen and Philippe Gagnon. McEwen suffered a torn ACL while Gagnon suffered a torn bicep during training camp. Those injuries prompted Ferland to move to centre.
"When it's something you're not used to the more reps you get at it, the more comfortable you're going to get. The more it slows down the game as a whole," Ferland detailed. "Even if I go to a new position, it's going to slow it down as a whole learning from a centre standpoint. I enjoy it and the more continuity we can get, the better in that group."
The six-foot-four, 300-pound offensive lineman from Melfort, Saskatchewan played all regular season 18 games for the Riders last year. Due to injuries on the offensive line, Ferland played multiple positions and later was recognized as the 2024 West Division Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.
In the off-season, the Green and White extended the team's investment in Ferland. He signed a two-year contract extension which ranks 11th among CFL offensive linemen salaries, totalling $190,000 CAD in hard money.
"Leadership, from our standpoint, is not just Yoshi and I being leaders because of our veteran status, but getting the other guys on the same boat," Ferland explained. "The guys that have been here for more than one year, showing the kind of passing that torch down to the younger guys, setting it by example, setting it by our example, showing those guys that everyone in that room is a leader in one way or another."
According to Riders' head coach Corey Mace, the offensive line, led by position coach Edwin Harrison, never takes days off, and both Ferland and Hardrick lead by example.
"In the totality of what we're looking for, how you attack each rep, whether it's in a team setting or an individual, certainly those are things that we try to drive home," Mace explained. "Harrison keeps that standard every single rep, even in [individual practice periods] you watch how hard those two, Logan and Yoshi, are going in their reps. If you're a younger guy, you can't take a play off. They set the standard, no question, and you love it because they're looking to get better with each rep."
The Green and White return from a bye week after beating the B.C. Lions 37-18 in Week 4.
"Could not have been a more perfect time for a bye week for us," Ferland explained. "We feel rested [and] we feel ready."
Saskatchewan hosts the Calgary Stampeders at home on Friday. Be sure to catch the pre-game show with Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk, and Wes Cates at 4 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 7 p.m. You can hear and watch all the coverage on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
