Mitchell Blair
The first coaching decision made by Bob Dyce is one met with approval by quarterback Brett Smith.
After being inexplicably yanked Sunday in Ottawa, Dyce made it clear on Tuesday that Smith is the team’s starting quarterback this Sunday against Winnipeg.
“It felt good, because obviously I want to start if given the opportunity,” Smith confided after Wednesday’s practice. “I love my guys and I love my team and I want to play with them. I give my heart every game so I’m glad to have another opportunity.”
While Smith is happy to get the starters job back, he is disappointed to see what transpired in Riderville this week and he made sure that the air was clear with Corey Chamblin before he left town.
“It was a good conversation I had with him, “Smith said. “We just basically talked about how much I appreciated the opportunity he gave me and the decision he made and I’m really thankful that I had that chance.”
Smith and the rest of the team are looking to the second half of the season, and the mood of the practice was a lot more light-hearted than what you might expect.
“It was a little different today that’s for sure and was something we haven’t experienced. Everyone was surprised to hear the music blasting and it was pretty cool.” Smith said. “As an athlete, I don’t think we need music to raise our energy level, but temporarily it was certainly good.”
While the football team looks ahead, the players can’t help but look back and realize they must shoulder some of the blame for the fact two men have lost their jobs.
“It feels like there is change, but I feel bad for the two guys who were let go because both men were great to me, especially Brendan because he brought me into this league and he brought me into Saskatchewan,” offensive lineman Brendan Labatte said. “That being said, I am excited to see what Jeremy and Bob can do. I feel like I have a lot in common with Jeremy because he was a Canadian offensive lineman like me and I’ve been around Coach Dyce for a long time now so I think my relationship with those two will grow.”
Receiver Rob Bagg is another one who says while change is good, there is some accountability for what has happened.
“Certainly we all do,” Bagg insisted. “Corey and Brendan picked us to play on this team because they thought we were talented enough to play this game. We have to play the game and we have to win the game. We all needed to be better and each player here has to take some blame for what has happened so far.”
While saying that, Bagg is excited to have Dyce now in charge.
“What you see is what you get.” Bagg said. “His criticism is intended to make you play better. He’s a player’s coach in my opinion. He wants you to do well, and he wants to put you in a position where you will succeed. I think he has done a good job of picking us up right off the bat and reminding us the game is a kids game that grown-ups get to play and that to keep having fun.”
Dyce’s first message to the team was to be honest with them about what to expect.
“Jeremy and I wanted everyone to know what our thought process was going forward. “Dyce said. “We wanted them to know we have a lot of belief in them and while we can’t control the past, but we can control the future. We also wanted to let them know we had confidence in them before and we still have confidence in them now.
Dyce says in his mind, a few things will change, one thing that won’t is his personality any because if he does, he isn’t helping anyone.
“I’m going to be myself, and do what I do which is the first thing I told the guys.” Dyce said. “I told them I am not changing who I am because that would be a dis-service to them and that I will coach them the same way I did as a special teams coach and that I have the same expectations of them.”
As he takes over, he believes there is still a lot more positives than one would think there is with an 0-9 team.
“I have been here for six years, and this team is resilient and mentally strong.” Dyce insisted. “They have gone through a lot in what has been a very challenging situation, but they still have a lot of positive energy and a positive mindset after everything they have gone through and that’s amazing. I have told them to continue on with that because I believe good things are going to happen.”
