THURSDAY WITH THE RIDERS

The Saskatchewan Roughriders held a closed practice on Day 2 of their work week as they prepare for their Week 9 CFL game at BC on Sunday.  Here’s what head coach Corey Chamblin had to say after the workout:

ON THEIR 4-GAME WIN STREAK SINCE THE WEEK 3 LOSS TO BC

CC:  I thought that was a catalyst not only for the defense but for the team as a whole.  The defense knew that we played pretty good the year before but we weren’t played to our capabilities.  They lined back up and they knew they had to do the fundamentals right.  They lined up and they’ve been doing the fundamentals right and putting in the extra time to be successful.

We know exactly what happened in that game and I’ve shown them some of things that happened but I’m not gonna plant the seed of anything negative or doubt.  We know we’re going into the Lions Den, we know who they are, and we understand that it’s going to be a tough ball game.  We’ve played some tough opponents this year on the road so this will be another.

ON PRACTICING WITH CROWD NOISE

CC: They have the music cranked pretty good in there so we wanted to make sure that we had it.  We even had the Lion’s roar just make those guys to feel like they’re at B.C. Place.

ON WR ROB BAGG

CC:  Rob’s a vet and he’s one of the leaders on this team.   I think his consistency has been very important especially with a young lineup of receivers.  He’s done a phenomenal job in the last couple weeks of keeping the course.  Sometimes he may not get balls but when he’s gotten the balls, he’s been outstanding.

ON THE PLAY OF DE JOHN CHICK

CC:  It’s funny, we made a joke today and I told Chick we’re just gonna lineup with a one man front and see how tough he really was!  No, John Chick’s an excellent football player and like I told him today, his individual play comes out of a collective group.  T. George is next to him, sometimes it’s Walker, it may be Ricky Foley, I think he’s sharing from those guys because of the way that they work and also Coach Howard.  At the end of the day, John Chick has tenacity and he has a tough mental state.

WHY DO YOU SMILE WHEN CHICK IS MENTIONED?

CC:  Just a mindset.  He’s aggressive and I love aggressive football players.  I love players who don’t let obstacles stop them.  He’s just that type of person.  When you see him, nothing stops him.  He just moves forward.

ON DE RICKY FOLEY

CC:  Ricky Foley?  You know what, Ricky’s playing good football.  It’s not all about sacks and different things like that.  I think sometimes it gets overshadowed.  Last year he had a run with sacks and everybody said John wasn’t playing to that level.  Like anything else, there’s a balance and I think before long, Ricky will catch up and it’ll be his turn to get those sacks.

ARE YOU WATCHING DRESSLER’S AND SHEETS’ SITUATIONS?

CC:  I leave that to Brendan Taman and those guys.  I watch them from the standpoint, I hear about it from everyone.  I’m not waking up everyday and looking at them wondering what’s going on.  I know it’s football and when those guys went down there we sent them with our best and we hope for the best.  If it’s for them to make the team, or if it’s time for them to come back or wherever they go, we’ll deal with it there.

WHAT TYPE OF GAME DO YOU EXPECT IN BC?

CC:  Football is so different.  Sometimes you think it’s gonna be a blow-out but it’s a smashmouth game that goes either way.  I think that it’s going to be a good football game.  I know they’re gonna fight to the finish and I know our team will fight to the finish.  I can’t tell you exactly what’ll be the point differential but I think it’ll be a very good football game and as far as the intensity, it’ll be playoff calibre.