Mitchell Blair
It is only Week two of the CFL season, but after two losses in the pre-season and an opening week loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, there is a feeling that Sunday afternoon’s game against the Toronto Argonauts is one the Saskatchewan Roughriders can’t afford to lose.
Head Coach Corey Chamblin says losing isn’t an option to him, but it doesn’t matter what time of year the game is played.
“They’re all must win, but I know the importance of it,” Chamblin stated. “Every game to me is a must-win game for me and I have to make sure all 40 plus guys on that field have a must-win attitude and that they have to understand that and protect their home turf. Right now, I am not concerned with the wins and the losses, I want to win because that is what I get paid to do, but I want this team to develop an attitude and it has to have an attitude that we are going to take anything that is front of us and no one is going to take it from us. We will win football games this year based on what we need to do and we will do that.”
Defensive lineman John Chick also realizes there is a long way to go this season, but he says a must-win mentality is there.
“You can go both ends on asking if it is a must-win situation. Looking at it from a team that demands to be the best and have a championship mindset, you go out wanting to win every game, “Chick said. “It is Week 2 of a very long season, but to get to where we want to go, we need to get back on track.”
Chick and the defence were guilty of some shoddy tackling in the 30-26 loss to Winnipeg last week. He says the film certainly didn’t lie when it came to that area, but while it was a big problem, it wasn’t the only thing that needs to be sharpened up.
“Tackling was a key fundamental that we didn’t do last week, but there were a lot of other plays out there we didn’t make for whatever reason.” Chick said. “When you look at the film, there were breakdowns whether it be a missed tackle, a lack of communication or someone not being in the right spot. There is no reason or excuse not to be on the same page though, so collectively we have to find a way to be better on the unit and make those plays that we didn’t last week.”
While the defence struggled, the offence still managed to do some good things despite losing Darian Durant to a season-ending injury. Rob Bagg admits there was a letdown after Durant’s injury, but the team has bounced back and is ready to do its thing.
“We have total trust in Kevin (Glenn) and the next man up.” Bagg said. “Obviously, losing Darian last week hurt us because in my mind he is the best quarterback in the CFL and his absence last week did shock us, but our offence is a good one and we managed to move the ball with Kevin in there. It didn’t go the way we wanted it to last week, but I think we are ready to show what the real Saskatchewan Roughriders are this week.”
Kickoff Sunday afternoon from Mosaic Stadium will be 1:30 with TV coverage coming on TSN with Chris Cuthbert and Glen Suitor on the call. 620 CKRM’s pre-game coverage will begin at 10:30 live from Pilsner Place with Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri taking over at 12:30 with Rider Nation pre-game followed by the play-by-play.
GAME NOTES:
- The team has been forced to make 10 lineup changes this week due to injuries sustained last week. One addition to the roster is veteran Paul McCallum. The 45 year old kicker becomes the oldest player to ever suit up for the green and white as he makes his first appearance in green-and-white since the end of the 2006 season.
- In the last six years, no CFL quarterback has more wins than Kevin Glenn with 45.
- In the last six years, the Riders are 33-22 at home including last week’s defeat at the hands of the Bombers
- Three Riders will make their first career start on Sunday. They are linebacker Jake Doughty, defensive tackle Brandon Tennant and defensive back Tyree Hollins.
