Chamblin delivers strong message to team
Players, coaches rebuked
There wasn’t any subtlety to Corey Chamblin’s message during Thursday’s practice.
The Saskat chewan Roughriders’ head coach was quick to jump on any mistakes committed during the first practice leading up to Sunday’s CFL game against the visiting Edmonton Eskimos. Chamblin could be heard yelling “Bad football! That’s bad football!’’ after a ball was fumbled or if a defensive back failed to challenge a receiver.
Chamblin added another exclamation point at the end of practice by having the players and coaches all run wind sprints. If that wasn’t enough, Chamblin then had the players and coaches run through a series of burpees (an exercise where the players drop into a squat position and thrust their legs behind them before jumping to a standing position). The post-practice exertion was in response to a threegame losing streak that has left the Roughriders with a 9-6 record. Chamblin was reminding the players that losing four of their last five games isn’t acceptable. Saskatchewan’s most-recent setback was Monday’s 40-9 loss to the host Montreal Alouettes.
“We can’t lose football games because we’re playing bad football,’’ Chamblin said Thursday. “We have to make sure that we’re coaching them better. We have make sure that the players are more attentive to what they are supposed to be doing.’’
Chamblin’s message was tied into the players being evaluated on a daily basis. Chamblin wasn’t pleased with what he has seen while conducting those evaluations. “What I saw this past week was some of these guys aren’t doing their jobs,’’ Chamblin said. “I told them that there will be a pain of loss in the off-season. Some guys, it didn’t matter which team they were on, even our championship team last year, some guys they really didn’t care. They play the game and they will only give you so much. I’m going to make sure while they are here that they earn their paycheques and I get everything I can out of them.’’
The scout team seemed to be the target of Chamblin’s wrath on Thursday.
“We all get paid and that’s what it is,’’ Chamblin said. “It’s not letting them off the hook because they are on the scout team. That’s their job, regardless of where they are in the pecking order.’’
Chamblin’s message resonated with some of the players.
“I’m not speaking for all of the players, but he didn’t have to say anything,’’ said wide receiver Rob Bagg. “If you’re not aware that this is a cutthroat business and if you don’t perform, you’re not going to be here very long and you’re just going to find out the hard way and that’s on your exit.’’
NOTES: Guard Brendon LaBatte and cornerback/ returner Tristan Jackson didn’t practise on Thursday. LaBatte missed Monday’s game with an undisclosed injury while Jackson was on the active roster. Chamblin didn’t have an update on their status for Sunday’s game … Tempers flared after backup running back Keith Toston ran into defensive end John Chick during practice. The players were separated after some spirited pushing … It appears that Kory Williams will replace Dan DePalma at wide receiver on Sunday. DePalma had started the last two games with Taj Smith on the six-game injured list due to a broken left clavicle … Today’s practice is closed to the media and fans.