I think for Cooper it's a case of been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. Reading various comments on RF it appeared that Shaq Cooper was putting in the same level of play in camp and preseason that led to BC cutting him last year. That's to say meh. He got reps in both preseason games rushing for 8 yards on 5 carries while adding 1 catch for 7 and 3 KO returns for 77 (25.6 average). He wasn't called on to return any punts.B.C.FAN wrote: ↑Sun Jun 05, 2022 9:16 amI noticed that Shaq Cooper was released by Saskatchewan. I wonder if the Lions will bring him back for another stint as a backup RB/returner. They'd probably have to drop an American linebacker or defensive lineman to get him on the roster as a designated import. Or they could try to claim B.C. native Maleek Irons from Hamilton's practice roster.
There seemed to be a good opportunity for Cooper in Saskatchewan as the starting tailback was not a position anybody had locked up coming into training camp. Closest was Jamal Morrow who returned kicks in 2021 and picked up a few reps (9 carries) backing up William Powell. Ironically the Riders released each and every one of the players who recorded punt and KO returns in the two preseason games, including Cooper. I'm unsure what the Riders might do but my gut says Morrow will wind up in the same role as last year being the Riders primary returner while backing up the starting tailback, this time rookie Frankie Hickson.
As for Irons that of course comes with the caveat he has to immediately be put on the active roster forcing them to cut another NAT from the 46 with the trickle down effect to the PR.