RIDERS ARRIVE IN CALGARY
The Saskatchewan Roughriders touched down in Calgary just after 2:00 pm on Thursday afternoon. Friday night they’ll oppose the Calgary Stampeders in Week 18 CFL action (7:00 pm, TSN, 620 CKRM Rider Radio Network).
Here are some quotes from their media session:
CHRIS JONES
WHY IS DURON CARTER STARTING AT CORNERBACK?
CJ: We talked about it yesterday. Kacey Rodgers has a leg injury, Chris Lyles hurt his shoulder in the game and hurt it again on Day 1, and Sam Williams has the flu. He’s got a 102-temperature and he’s throwing up so Duron’s been practicing there all year and he’s the best option that we have.
HOW UP TO SPEED IS HE?
CJ: He’s been practicing there all year. If Duron Carter put his mind to it, he could be one of the best DBs in this league.
BUT IF HE GETS HURT, YOU LOSE A GUY AT TWO POSITIONS …
CJ: Ya but you risk getting hurt each time you take the field. That’s just part of it. You assume that as a coach and you assume that as a player.
CAN DURON TACKLE?
CJ: He’s more physical than you think. We’ll see.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO WELL IN THIS GAME?
CJ: Certainly we did some good things against them last time, forcing some underneath throws. We did a little bit better job against the run and we’re hoping we can do an even better job this time. We’ve gotta be physical at the L.O.S. on both sides and we have to control the football.
ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT CLINCHING?
CJ: We’ve got to just take care of ourselves, play good football, and usually that’s going to take care of itself. Just play good football.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF CHAD OWENS?
CJ: I’m just proud for CO. He’s practiced so hard and worked so hard to get back. He’s had some setbacks with that thing and when you get to this point in his career, it’s just good to see him get back in there.
CHAD OWENS
WERE YOU STARTING TO THINK THIS DAY MIGHT NOT COME?
CO: Ya. You start to think about those things. But at the end of the day you focus on the things that have gotten you up to this point. For me, that’s just been working hard. It’s hard to put the blinders on and have that belief, but you have to, despite everything else.
I’ve had a lot of great support from my teammates and coaches so that goes a long way. The time has come and I’m ready to roll.
EXCITED TO DEBUT DURING A PLAYOFF PUSH?
CO:Ya. I’m just gonna go out there and do my job. When I have an opportunity to make a play, I’m gonna make a play. Like I said, I’m happy to be back out here, doing what I love, and I can’t wait for Friday night. I can’t wait to catch a ball from Kevin Glenn.
/=S=/
NOTES: The Riders have five changes from last week’s 33-32 home loss to Ottawa. IN are FB Albert Awachie, RB Cameron Marshall, LB Sam Eguavoen, C Dan Clark and WR Josh Standford. OUT are LG Kevin Francise, RB Kienan LaFrance, CB Chris Lyles, LB Brandyn Bartlett and OL Derek Dennis … Jeff Knox Jr. is listed as the starting LB ahead of Henoc Muamba but Chris Jones said, “That must’ve been a typo”.
RP
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