BASKING IN GLOW OF VICTORY
Riders energized after win over Esks
THAT’S THE SPIRIT
The Roughriders were upbeat, obviously buoyed by a performance that ended their sevengame losing streak.
Practice was as energetic as it has been in some time, much to the relief of head coach-GM Chris Jones.
“It was reminiscent of camp before there were any games played,” Jones said. “We did a good job of coming out today and being prepared and flying around and playing like we wanted to try to play.”
The thrill of Sunday’s victory was still evident on the field and in the locker room, where the players were a raucous lot during the post-practice media availability.
“When you win, a lot of energy comes (and) a lot of happiness comes with it,” said quarterback Darian Durant. “It’s a feeling we want to keep and we want to do everything in our power to work hard and to keep that feeling going.”
The Roughriders play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday. Game time at Mosaic Stadium is 7:30 p.m.
FAMILIAR FACES
Last week, tailback Curtis Steele, guard Jarriel King and defensive end Eric Norwood were among the players who returned to practice after extended stays on the Roughriders’ injured list.
On Wednesday, defensive backs Derrius Brooks and Buddy Jackson were back on the field for the first time in weeks.
Brooks hasn’t played at all this season. Jackson started in six of Saskatchewan’s first seven games before being placed on the sixgame injured list.
One player who wasn’t practising was receiver Naaman Roosevelt, who injured a knee in the Banjo Bowl on Sept. 10. Roosevelt was put on the six-game injured list Saturday and it’s unclear how long Saskatchewan’s leading receiver this season will be out.
“It’s going to be contingent upon how well his knee responds,” Jones said when asked if Roosevelt would in fact miss six games. “We’re not going to hurry him back, I know that.”
BUCKET BRIGADE
At one point during Wednesday’s practice, the Roughriders’ quarterbacks wandered into the end zone where a bucket of water was positioned.
Footballs then were dipped into the water and snapped to the QBs, who threw short passes with the soggy pigskin. It was a precaution just in case Saturday’s forecast of rain comes true.
“The last thing you want is to go out there and the balls are slick and you don’t have any practice working in those types of conditions,” Durant said.
“The coaches do a good job of getting us ready for any type of situations, schematically or weather-wise. It’s just good to go ahead and get that work in, just in case we need it.”
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
At 2-10-0, the Roughriders still are mathematically alive in the playoff race.
Having said that, they’re also more than happy to take on the role of spoiler as other teams jockey for spots in the postseason.
“We’re not just playing games to go out and lose and be a tune-up team for teams to play,” Durant said. “We want to go out and win and if that’s spoiling someone’s playoff dreams in the process, then so be it.
“While we have hope, we still give ourselves a chance, so we’re going to go out and play it like it’s our playoff game.”