Ball cap motto becomes Riders’ playoff mantra
EDMONTON The Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping some new hats will help them cap the 2019 CFL season with a strong finish.
The ball caps — with the phrase “Win is Now” on the front panel — were recently presented to the defensive players by defensive co-ordinator Jason Shivers. The phrase is a reminder to remain focused on immediate goals and not what has taken place in the past.
“We need to focus on the now and if we win the moment, we’ll go as far as we know we can go,” defensive back L.J. Mccray said after Saturday’s 27-24 victory over the host Edmonton Eskimos clinched a home playoff for the Riders.
“Right now, we just need to win the moment and let the rest take care of itself.”
The hats were introduced before the Riders’ 27-19 win over B.C. Lions on Oct. 19. The ball caps join the Big Play Chain, which is presented to players after touchdowns and turnovers, as another motivational tool.
“It’s set up to give us that juice just to keep us going with energy during the game,” Mccray added. “During the game, if you make a big play, you want to make another.”
Mccray made his share of big plays Saturday, with a career-high 10 tackles and an interception.
“I just played aggressively,” Mccray said after recording his third pick of the season. “The guys know how I play and that I’m a safety at heart. When a guy catches the ball, I want to hit him. It’s how we play and that’s the type of energy that I bring. It just complements the rest of the guys.”
Mccray is in his first CFL season after NFL stints with the San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panther and Buffalo Bills. He didn’t participate in any playoff games through his four NFL seasons and is looking forward to playing in the post-season with the Riders.
“Going to the playoffs with these guys means everything,” said the 27-year-old Mccray. “My first year in the CFL, we’re going to the playoffs and I’m excited about that. I’m sure that we will handle business the way that we should.”
PASSING GRADES
Saskatchewan’s receivers took care of business on a frigid night in Edmonton.
Shaq Evans had six receptions for a game-high 174 yards. Kyran Moore added 10 receptions for 159 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown catch.
Naaman Roosevelt chipped in five receptions for 58 yards. Manny Arceneaux had one reception for a five-yard touchdown that staked the Riders to a 21-17 lead at 12:23 of the third quarter.
The overall production was the result of Cody Fajardo completing 25 of 35 passes for 429 yards and two touchdowns.
“We just saw (the aerial attack) was what we could be successful at because they were playing a lot of man coverage,” said Evans, who is fourth in the CFL in receiving yards (1,320) and 11th in receptions (71). “We know that we probably have the best receiving corps in the league and teams can’t match us one-on-one when we start passing the ball.
“You see what happened and we exploited it in the second half.”
Moore also came through with career highs in receptions and yards. The second-year receiver has 73 receptions for 953 yards and a team-high six touchdown catches, one more than Evans.
“I knew that we were facing a big man (coverage) team,” said Moore, who was targeted 12 times. “I knew that I could get open and Cody just found me.”