Jason Tucker was certainly a worthy candidate to become the Saskatchewan Roughriders' receivers coach this season.
After a brief stint in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, and a brief stop in the former NFL Europe, Tucker enjoyed a successful career with the Edmonton Eskimos from 2002 to 2008.
Tucker, a four-time CFL all-star, caught 388 passes for 7,046 yards and 59 touchdowns with the Eskimos and was named the Grey Cup most valuable player in 2003, when Edmonton defeated the Montreal Alouettes 34-22. Tucker was also part of Edmonton's 2005 Grey Cup victory, where the team once again defeated Montreal, this time by a score of 38-35.
Unfortunately for Tucker, in the 2008 season he was involved in a helmet-to-helmet hit that fractured his C6-C7 vertebra and ended his playing career.
But Tucker has re-emerged in the CFL as a coach. He served as the Eskimos' receivers coach in 2009 and 2010 and has now joined the Green and White.
Tucker chatted with Inside Green about his playing days, his transition to coaching and the receiver position.
Q: To what do you attribute the success that you found during your playing days?
A: Well, first of all, it was the God-given ability that I have; God gave me a good mind and I was able to pick up on things pretty quickly. It got to the point that the more I knew, the better off I was, and that made it easier. I could see things happen before they happened.
Q: How do you feel about what you were able to accomplish on the field?
A: I feel good about it. It was a great career - no regrets at all and I enjoyed it every day.
Q: What was it that inspired you to make the transition to coaching?
A: I knew after it was all said and done that I wanted to coach ... I was able to be coached by some good coaches when I played in the NFL, so I had some good knowledge from them, and I was able to play this game up here and get some good knowledge, so I just wanted to give it back.
Q: How do you feel you've adjusted to the coaching side of the ball so far?
A: I'm good with it. I've got adjusted to everything - the hours, everything else.
Q: Are you partial to one job - playing or coaching - over the other? Or is it just football for you?
A: It's just football. Of course, when you're a player, you love playing, and with coaching, I tell these guys, "I live through you now. My days are done, so I just want to see you be successful."
Q: Is there any receiver on the team who you would compare yourself to?
A: Ah, I've never really looked at anybody to compare myself to. That's something I might have to sit down and think about. [laughs]
Q: What do you feel you have to offer your players at this point in your career?
A: Just the valuable experience that I've had here, the knowledge that I can give to a lot of the guys who are new to this league. For the veterans, I can tweak some things that they're doing and make them better.
Q: What does it take to make a good receiver?
A: You know what? To be a good receiver, you've just got to be a well-rounded receiver. A lot of guys know what to do when the ball is in your hands, but it's what you do when the ball isn't in your hands. You've also got to be a good blocker, as well. You just want to be a player, all around.
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