RIDERS HOLD DAY 2 OF WORK WEEK

It was a cooler day than was forecast for Wednesday’s Day 2 of the Saskatchewan Roughriders practice week. A mostly cloudy sky with brief sunny periods and 22 degrees Celsius greeted Canada’s Team as they get set to the host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Saturday’s Week 2 home opener (7:00 pm, TSN, 620 CKRM Rider Radio Network).

Here are some notes from the session:

1. Regarding a personnel update, the team still isn’t prepared to declare RB Kienan LaFrance or WR Rob Bagg ready to play against Winnipeg. LaFrance has been out since the start of training camp with a lower body injury while Bagg missed last week’s loss in Montreal with the same diagnosis.

2. Some of the Blue Bomber players have been talking a lot of noise leading up to the showdown, saying they plan to silence the Rider Nation in the Canada Day Clash. Riders Head Coach & GM Chris Jones says he hasn’t heard it.

“I don’t read the papers or the internet so I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jones laughed. “We just worry about us. We can’t worry about what somebody else says. We’ve just gotta come out, work, play our game, and win a football game.”

3. Regarding the stadium noise in the grand opening of New Mosaic Stadium, Blue Bomber receiver Weston Dressler told us on a conference call on Wednesday that Rider fans will be Rider fans.

“I don’t expect them to be any different than old Mosaic,” Dressler chuckled. “They’re always rowdy, especially when Winnipeg’s in town. I’m sure it’ll be loud and, offensively, we’ll have to deal with that crowd if we’re going to be successful.”

4. Rider QB Kevin Glenn said the team is set to unveil some new incentives for Rider fans to bring the noise on Saturday.

“I think we have some things in store from the JumboTron to guide things that way,” Glenn smiled. “We got something for the fans to – how should I put it – to encourage or persuade the fans when to cheer, when to be loud and when not to be loud. We got something in store for ’em.”

5. Regarding the latest return of Weston Dressler to the city where he made his name in the CFL, the Bismarck, ND product isn’t entirely sure how his emotions will hit him.

“I’m not really quite sure what emotions will come up,” Dressler explained. “I’m hoping that I dealt with all that last year, coming back and playing the old team. All that type stuff. Right now I feel like I’m a big part of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and I just want to go in and win the first game in that new stadium.”

6. Regarding which team has the advantage coming into this one; the Riders for having played last week or the Bombers for having a bye, Winnipeg QB Matt Nichols said that chatter is overrated.

“We had a couple battles with them last year,” Nichols shrugged on the conference call. “I think we know what they’re going to be bringing and they know what we’ll be bringing. It’s going to be a hard-nosed football game for four quarters and it’s going to come down to who makes the big plays at the right times and who plays the last four minutes better.”

Dyakowski on Wednesday

7. As an aside, veteran Rider lineman Peter Dyakowski is loving his time in Saskatchewan after being acquired in a trade with Toronto on the eve of training camp. “Everyday’s a great day when you’re a Roughrider,” Dyakowski smiled as he pulled off his pads and shook hands with me after the workout.

I turned on my tape recorder and asked him why it’s so great, on the record.

“We’ve got great coaches, I’ve got great linemates, great teammates, we have the best facility in the league and we’ve got the best fans in the league, so everything’s wonderful,” the Vancouver product glowed. “I wake up everyday with a smile on my face and I rented a place eight blocks from the stadium so I get to walk to work everyday, or if I get a ride, it’s only a minute-and-a-half commute. Not so bad!”

8. The Blue Bombers are favoured by 1-point for Saturday’s game, and the forecast at kickoff calls for sunshine and 24 degrees Celsius.

9. The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced the following roster moves:

ADDED TO PRACTICE ROSTER:

·       International wide receiver Joseph Morgan


10. The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced today:

Montreal Alouettes defensive back Mikael Charland was fined for a tourist hit on Saskatchewan Roughriders safety Mike Edem.

Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive lineman Thaddeus Coleman was fined for a dangerous block on Montreal Alouettes defensive end John Bowman.

Ottawa REDBLACKS linebacker Serderius Bryant was fined for a late hit on Calgary Stampeders returner Roy Finch.

Saskatchewan receiver Naaman Roosevelt was fined for a crackback block on Montreal Alouettes defensive back, Dondre Wright.

The CFL also announced the following preseason discipline:

Calgary Stampeders offensive lineman Brad Erdos was fined for a low hit on BC Lions defensive lineman Junior Luke on June 6.

Ottawa REDBLACKS offensive lineman Pierce Burton was fined for a tourist hit on Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Matt Wells during the June 8th game.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Kavell Conner was fined for a high hit on Ottawa REDBLACKS quarterback Drew Tate on June 8.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive lineman Padric Scott was fined for hitting Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Zach Kline on June 15.

Ottawa REDBLACKS offensive lineman Evan Johnson was fined for a late and low block on Montreal Alouettes linebacker Nicolas Boulay on June 15.

BC Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian was fined for a low hit on Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Jenson Stoshak on June 16.

RP
@rodpedersen