GAME DAY: Riders, RedBlacks set to tangle in Nation’s Capital

There’s no time like the present for the Saskatchewan Roughriders to start making some noise.

The 0-8 team will try once again to pick up their first win of the season on Sunday as they square off with the Ottawa RedBlacks in the Nation’s Capital.

“WE WON THE PENALTY BATTLE, WE WON THE TURNOVER BATTLE. WE NEED TO START WINNING THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE WE DON’T GIVE UP POINTS, WHERE WE DON’T DROP THE BALL. THINGS LIKE THAT.” — COREY CHAMBLIN

“We’re trying our best to get that first win. Doing whatever we can to pull out all of the stops and execute the best we can,” said quarterback Brett Smith.

The game marks Smith’s fourth start under centre for the Riders. As Smith searches for his first win in the CFL, he admits the winless record is starting to weight on him a little bit.

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At this point, the chances of the Riders making the playoffs are pretty slim. Right now, third place in the west is being held down on a crossover by the Montreal Alouettes with a 4-5 record. If the Riders are to get there, that means they would have to win at least four more games than the Alouettes down the stretch.

The good news is the Riders might control their own destiny. Their next six games are all against the teams that will likely be fighting for the final playoff spot in the West with two games against both Ottawa and Winnipeg along with games against Montreal and B.C.

“When it comes to just general football, we’re doing a good job,” said head coach Corey Chamblin.

“We got to start winning the situations in those games.”

What Chamblin means by that, is they need to start making the right plays at the right time.

“We won the penalty battle, we won the turnover battle. We need to start winning those situations where we don’t give up points, where we don’t drop the ball. Things like that.”

Planning for the unknown 

When the team gets ready to take on the RedBlacks, one thing is for sure, you need to be ready for the unexpected.

Under head coach Rick Campbell, the team hasn’t been afraid to roll the dice, especially on special teams.

Just last year, the Riders were burned by the RedBlacks special teams when a touchdown was scored on an onside punt.

“You just got to be locked in to all situations. You can’t go out there and keep your mouth shut. You have to be talking,” said defensive back Matt Webster.

Improved offence

This RedBlacks group is a very different one than the Riders would have seen last year.

The defence is still good, but their offence has taken a big step forward this year thanks to a revamped group of receivers.

“Henry always has a reputation. He can light it up at any given time. I think (offensive coordinator) Jason Maas done a good job with him and that offence, “said Chamblin.

Last week, Burris threw for over 400 yards in a loss to the Toronto Argonauts.

Roster Check

After a pile of changes last week, the Riders are only tweaking their 46-man roster this week.

Added to the Roster:

• Defensive lineman Markus White
• Receiver Naaman Roosevelt
• Receiver Korey Williams

Removed from the Roster:

• Defensive lineman Derek Walker
• Receiver Devin Wilson
• Defensive back Alex Suber (six-game injured list)

Receiver Chris Getzlaf and defensive lineman Derek walker have also been placed on the six-game injured list.

Williams and running back Anthony Allen are expected to be the team’s scratches.

Kick-off is at 2 p.m. Listen in on 900 CKBI. 

jgasson@cjme.com
On Twitter: @JGasson_21, @homeofthefans