DURANT BACK AT PRACTICE
In near zero degree Celsius temperatures and with a 49 km/h wind, the Saskatchewan Roughriders were back at practice Monday at Mosaic Stadium. It was an “extra day” of practice as the club returned from a bye week and prepares to host the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday.
Quarterback Darian Durant participated in roughly half of the 90-minute workout and threw some short-range practices before taking off his gear. There was no O-Team/D-Team session in this practice.
“He’s still in rehab mode,” explained Rider coach Corey Chamblin afterwards. “Hopefully a decision’s made in the next couple of days from that to see if he’s ready to get to an actual practice phase. I think he has a chance (to start on Saturday). I make most of the decisions but I’ll put it a little higher to Brendan Taman and see exactly what we think in that manner.
“We’ve gone back and forth offensively and talked about it but I think there’s a great chance.”
The Riders need a win over Edmonton and a B.C. loss to Calgary this weekend to finish third in the CFL West. Chamblin said the result of the B.C. game will not affect the lineup he fields against the Eskimos but said to expect a few regulars to get another week of rest.
Regarding whether the Riders will go East or West in the playoffs, slotback Weston Dressler said it’s not a tough situation to be facing.
“It’s not really that difficult yet,” Dressler said. “We wouldn’t be preparing for that game right now anyway. You get into the playoffs, you have to play good football to win. It doesn’t matter where you’re at. If you’re not going to play good football, you’re not going to win whether it’s in the East or West, at home or on the road. It doesn’t really matter.”
Awesome Possum !!
Good to see doubles throwing again.
Newt from YQR
Durant plays great in the colder weather, so he is coming back possibly at the right time.
Just excited for playoff football, doesn't matter who our opponent is. I expect to see the best out of our team from here on in.
I think Taman and co. know how useful it can be to keep things mysterious.
I think DD is healthier than some might think.
I say start Durant. What's the worst that can happen ?
Wouldn't it be great if the media kept the DD update under wraps? You know, old school keep the opponent in the dark. But no, the media here has to publish what they ate for breakfast, what octane gas they put in their cars…etc
Hey Rod, hearing a lot of the songs and hype from last year, brings back such great memories. We should have a promo song for the playoffs bring the excitement up a notch. Let's get wound up for playoffs and see what happens.
Leave last year where it belongs, the past.
Doesn't matter riders are trash
Durant has his worst games in Alberta … year after year. I hope we end up avoiding it altogether during the playoffs.
Was the western final not in calgary last year? O yeah it was did dd not have a great game? O yeah he did.
Giles
Wouldn't it be a little ironic if KJ wound up being the QB the rest of the way and won a second cup for Sask
He plays his worst games in Alberta? What?
Nothing can save the Riders this year. Garbage team. Is it world junior time yet?
Thank you Mr. Roy Shivers for having the long term foresight to obtain Darian Durant/Kerry Joseph on behalf of the Saskatchewan Roughriders while GM.
Hi Rod
I watched Columbo last night and they had the Riders playing the Eskimos,they used different team names (Riders were the Stallions)and they showed the Riders coming back from 18 down scoring 3 TD,s to win.
I am almost hoping that the Riders win the East and see what happens from there,TV ratings would set records for sure
GB… What is the worse that can happen? Another No Brainer. How about losing him for the rest of his career. I don't think he can make that much of a change at this point and why take the chance of him ending his football days. Remember Durant can't do everything himself, a lot of the players past performances have been pitiful and it is probably to late to correct all of this. I really do hope they can pull it out but I don'tbelieve that the return of Durant is the complete answer.
8-2 with dd 1-6 without i think he is the answer
Giles
Since Kerry joseph has been starting the Riders really do not seem like or are playing like a team that has gone 1-6. Even though They lost both games Joseph has started the looked much better.So even win or lose this upcoming week I don't think it will matter for them going into the playoffs. They are loaded with professional players who have been there dont that. Because of that they will be entering the playoffs with the mind set of it is a whole new season. With Joseph or Durant they can play with and beat any team in… Read more »
The Riders organization has been built to be able to do such things as stay and rent facilities for a couple of weeks in the east incurring massive team asociated cost deficit with some players mis-behaving embarrassingly and ending up on the wrong side of the law and in the klink.
not to mention Pederson havin to order $210 steaks every nite!!