'I'm not going to sugarcoat it': Riders' GM speaks ahead of regular season
On Monday, Jeremy O’Day, Saskatchewan Roughriders General Manager and Vice President of Football Operations, met with media to discuss the team ahead of Week 1 of the regular season.
“They’re long off-seasons when the team doesn’t have success, so I’m not going to sugarcoat it by any means. When you make substantial change, people grow impatient with that process, but ultimately, we felt like we needed to change in certain areas. Hopefully people are going to be excited and are going to get behind us like they always have,” O’Day said.
A lot of changes happened over the weekend as the Riders were forced to reduce their roster following their 28-16 victory of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the team’s final pre-season test.
Something that had fans intrigued was the decision to keep all four quarterbacks on the roster: Shea Patterson, Jake Dolegala, Mason Fine, and of course starter, Trevor Harris.
“We just wanted to try and find a way to keep all four of them. We’ll see what the plan is going into Week 1 and I know you’re going to ask that question, but I’ll tell you right now I don’t have the answer of who’s going to be number two or three. That will be determined as the week goes on,” O’Day explained.
However, the team did release Stefen Banks, a defensive lineman the Riders had signed on the very first day of free agency back in February.
“I don’t think it was so much what Stefen Banks did, I think it was more so what Brian Cox and a couple of younger guys did that made it a difficult decision. But, you know, we just felt like they had better camps and took advantage of the opportunity and that’s why we decided to go with those guys,” O’Day said.
Saskatchewan also released Canadian running back Kienan LaFrance who had been with the team since 2019.
O’Day said although LaFrance had been a good player and an outstanding guy, they have to make those tough decisions, noting it came down to their designated roster.
“Just kind of the way our roster kind of broke down, we were going to go with just three in that area. Then the decision just came down to who we wanted on the roster so we decided we were going to go a bit younger there. I think Thomas [Bertrand-Hudon] had a very good camp and showed that it wasn’t too big for him,” he said.
The Riders selected Bertrand-Hudon in the fourth round of the 2023 CFL Draft.
The Riders won both of their pre-season games, something the team has not done since 2007. However, O’Day is approaching Week 1 with cautious optimism after their performances.
“It’s hard to really give it a fair assessment. We haven’t had all of our guys out there at the same time. We haven’t played against all the starters for other teams. [I am] happy with how our offense has done so far. That’s a concern or thought going in, how long will it take for 75 per cent or 80 per cent of your offense that’s changed, to gel?” O’Day said.
“We’ll see when they get to the real games. Pre-season they don’t count but they are important for building momentum and obviously showing you what you have on the roster going into the season,” he added.
The Riders will take to the field at Mosaic Stadium for their first practice of the regular season on Wednesday before heading to Edmonton this weekend to take on the Elks in their first game.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.