Mitchell Blair
For many players on the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the waiting game is on. They went to bed Friday night wondering if they have done enough to make the 2014 edition of the football team or were their efforts in training camp and two pre-season games not enough to stick around. Some perhaps knew the answer for themselves as they walked off the field last night having just lost 19-14 to the Edmonton Eskimos in what was the final tune-up for both before the regular season gets underway.
The Riders had firm control of the game throughout the first half as they took a 14-1 lead into the dressing room at halftime, but Eskimos second string quarterback Matt Nichols got his team moving in the second half leading them to two touchdowns while going 8 of 11 in the air for 155 yards. The second half may have proven some things to Head Coach Corey Chamblin, but it may have just confirmed things too as he says he went into this game knowing what a majority of his opening week roster would look like.
“Depending on a couple of injuries we suffered, I had 80 to 90 percent of the roster formed before we took the field tonight.” Chamblin told reporters moments after the final gun had sounded. “The length of those injuries could shake things up, but I kind of know where guys are going to fit whether they be on the active roster or not.
While Chamblin talked about his roster, he couldn’t hide his disappointment with the fact his team—especially on the defensive side of the ball—did not put in the effort needed to be successful.
“I didn’t like the way we came out in the second half with a majority of the number one defense out there,” Chamblin muttered. “That’s not how we come out, I told them not is the type of football we play. I understand there was some frustration out there, but don’t come and complain off the field, get it done on the field.”
One player who did shine for the second straight game was running back Keith Toston. Despite a first quarter fumble, Toston ripped off several impressive runs. He, like many others, now waits for the phone to ring to find out what his future is.
“I think I did pretty well, but I’m not too happy with myself because I put the ball on the ground. That’s something you just can’t do as a running back,” Toston said. “You can’t erase a turnover, but I feel confident and I think I showed the coaches what I can do. I can’t tell you if I’m the number one running back in town now because that’s up to the coach, but I hope I showed them enough.”
Darian Durant didn’t have to prove anything to the coaches, but he went out and once again let the team know he and the number one offence appear ready for the upcoming season. Durant was 7 of 11 for 113 yards and a pair of touchdowns—both to Taj Smith. The Riders quarterback is happy with the way the pre-season went.
“There’s still a lot of work to do, but I’m happy with where we are right now,” Durant said.” We’ve been able to move the ball and we’ve been able to put some points on the board. We’ve accomplished a lot and now its ready to get to work for real.”
Getting to work for real is what happens now for the Riders and every team in the CFL with the target on the backs of the green-and-white seeing they are the defending champs. Safety Tyron Brackenridge is ready to go.
“It’s good to get the pre-season over with,” Brackenridge said. “I think we showed some good things in the pre-season, but we know there is work to be done to get to that level needed. The time has come though for us to show that we’re ready to do what we did last year and I can’t wait to get to work Monday because its go-time now.”
The Riders, like all teams in the CFL, must be down to their 46 man roster by 10 o’clock Eastern time (8 pm Saskatchewan time) Saturday night meaning many moves will be made by the team as some players will be put on various lists while others will be outright released. The team will take Sunday and Monday off before assembling Tuesday for what is officially the first day of the 2014 regular season with a Grey Cup rematch staring the team in the eyes right away as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will come back to Mosaic Stadium after being trounced in Grey Cup 101 in the season opener on June 29 in a 5 o’clock start.
GAME NOTES
- Coach Corey Chamblin may have to go with a Plan B at middle linebacker. Chad Kilgore, who had impressed in training camp and the Ottawa pre-season game left the game in the first half with an unknown injury
- Former NFL receiver Chaz Schilens made an impact in this game catching a team high four passes for 48 yards
- The return game looks to be sound. Marshay Green and Ryan Smith each had a big return in the game. For Green, his efforts were coming off an opening week exhibition game in which he returned an Ottawa punt 75 yards for a touchdown
- The game was not played in ideal weather as rain fell for much of the first half resulting in both teams committing fumbles that might normally wouldn’t have happened.
