RIDERS HOLD FIRST PRACTICE IN NEW STADIUM
REGINA – Under sunny skies and in 19 degree Celsius temperatures, the Saskatchewan Roughriders held their first official practice in New Mosaic Stadium on Monday. Here are some notes:
– Head Coach & GM Chris Jones said it was “pretty cool” to hold that first workout, and that the club gained an extra half hour because players didn’t have to drive to the old training facility at Albert & Dewdney for “a lift”. Jones also said the players enjoyed the meeting space in the lavish new facility.
– Monday’s practice wasn’t padded, and was something of an elevated walk-through as the club prepares for Thursday’s season-opener at Montreal (5:30 pm, TSN, CKRM Rider Radio Network).
– Left Guard Brendon Labatte returned to the field after missing much of the past two weeks with a lower body injury. However veteran returner Chad Owens was absent.
– Regarding facing Darian Durant and the Alouettes on Thursday, most everyone downplayed the drama surrounding the game. LB Henoc Muamba smiled, “I’m sure he’s going to want to beat us!”
QB Kevin Glenn said he really has no idea what Darian’s thinking leading up to the game. Glenn’s been on several teams but never harboured any resentments towards his former clubs.
Chris Jones wasn’t interested in taking any bait, and said the Riders have moved on as a football club.
– In fact they’ve moved on so much that rookie LB Cameron Judge wore #4 in his first practice with the team on Monday but had no idea the significance of the number, nor of the player who wore it before him. Chris Jones said right now it looks like Judge will make his CFL debut on Thursday.
– The Riders signed FA DB Jovon Johnson (#17) on Monday, a recent cut of the Alouettes. Johnson said he’ll be getting some time with the offensive coaches this week and telling them everything he knows about the Montreal players and offense.
Jones said they signed Johnson because of the injuries in the secondary the team has suffered in training camp and preseason games.
– Johnson was also a member of the 2007 Grey Cup-winning Roughriders but he left over a dispute and wound up selling his Grey Cup ring. He said Monday that he regrets that move and would like to get it back.
– Chris Jones also referred to Vince Young as “retired”, two days after the club released the 34-year old quarterback. Jones said Young is back in Texas rehabbing his torn hamstring but if he’s interested in rejoining the Roughriders, Jones said the team would be open to that.
– The Riders practice Tuesday at 11:00 AM before leaving for Montreal in the afternoon.
– The Riders visit the Alouettes in the season-opener Thursday at 5:30 pm on TSN and 620 CKRM.
– Montreal is favoured by 6.5-points.
– The forecast for Thursday’s game is sunny and 24 degrees celsius.
RP
@rodpedersen
