Mitchell Blair
“We control our destiny!”
That statement from John Chick echoes what the Saskatchewan Roughriders are thinking as they prepare for their regular season finale against the Edmonton Eskimos Saturday night at Mosaic Stadium.
“Its the calm before the storm right now, that’s how I feel. “Chick said one day prior to the battle between the two Western Division rivals. “We do want to head into playoffs on a positive, but we know at the end of the day we are 0-0 as is everyone else. Things haven’t gone well for us in this second half, but its a brand new game when we come out for practice next week.”
It was hoped this game would see a return of quarterback Darian Durant, but that will not happen. Despite being pulled off the six game injured list this week and practicing with the team for the first time since suffering a torn elbow tendon in Winnipeg in September, the coaching staff have determined Durant is not quite ready to go leaving his availability for the playoffs up in the air. Head Coach Corey Chamblin says its quite simple as to why Durant won’t be doing his thing against the Eskimos.
“As the week went on, Darian progressed and showed some things, but I don’t think he’s quite ready.” Chamblin said. “I was able to evaluate him this week to see what he can do, and he did show me a lot, but I think he can go next week in an undetermined role. I think he’ll be stronger both mentally and physically having another couple of days off.”
With Durant not going it means Kerry Joseph will get the lion’s share of time under centre. Since Joseph’s arrival, the team has been better even though they have not gotten a victory under their belt. Joseph says it doesn’t matter where the team begins its playoff road, but what is important is the fact they are in the final dance because it means they have just as good a shot at winning the Grey Cup as does the other playoff teams.
“It doesn’t matter who we play next week. We just want to get through this game and then start concentrating on the future. We know we are taking on a football team that is looking to build momentum going into the playoffs, but that is what we want to do as well. “Joseph said. “I just want to be more efficient and more consistent and work on what we have been doing over the past few weeks. At the end of the day, I just want to be clean”
Like Joseph, Chamblin says it doesn’t matter where the playoff road will take this team.
“If we stay in the West, we stay in the West, but I’m OK if we have to go out East.” Chamblin said. “Going into the playoffs, I would like to win, but we didn’t win our last game last year and you know what happened. The guys understand that what you do in the regular season means nothing when you start the playoffs no matter what your record is. I want to see our guys playing our best football so that when I watch the film I know that guy has his head on right and is ready for the playoffs.”
Game time at Mosaic Stadium is 6 o’clock. TSN will have the television coverage with radio coverage on 620 CKRM starting at 330 with “Roughrider Gameday” live from Pilsner Place with host Michael Ball in a show you can watch on Riderville.com. At 5 o’clock, Rod Pedersen will bring you “Rider Nation Pregame” before being joined by Carm Carteri for the play-by-play.
GAME NOTES:
- Running back Anthony Allen has a chance at being a 1000 yard rusher. He goes into the game 148 yards away from the magical mark.
- There is a chance the Riders could be 1-2-3 when it comes to sacks. John Chick starts the last week of the season with 15 sacks. Odell Willis of Edmonton is next at 13 with a bunch of players at 12 including Ricky Foley and Tearrius George
- Despite their offensive woes in the second half of the season, the team has still scored 37 touchdowns which is 4th highest going into the final weekend.
- The Rider defence has forced 100 “two and outs” going into this game. The Eskimos lead the league in that category having forced
