Riders' head coach optimistic ahead of third matchup against Calgary
Just days away from the third straight meeting with the Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders’ head coach Craig Dickenson said he is “optimistic” heading into Calgary this weekend.
Coming off a bye week on Tuesday, he said practice looked a bit rough as the rust was shaken off, but the team was looking sharp by day three on Thursday.
“We had some moments on both sides of the ball, completed some passes, got some interceptions on defence. The guys, the new players that we feel like are going to help us, look like they’re getting their legs under them,” said Dickenson.
Riders’ new addition Duke Williams has been trending up, as has fellow wide receiver Shaq Evans, who is recovering from injury. It appears that will be able to play on Saturday.
Cody Fajardo said having Williams and Evans on the roster will bring an element of excitement for the fans and team, but with it being their first game back the expectations can’t be too high.
“I know we’re going to go out there and try and get our timing down as early as possible and just try and move the football and give ourselves a chance to finish drives with seven points and not three,” said Fajardo.
The quarterback said, at the end of the day, the Riders need to execute better and not turn the ball over.
“We have yet to put a complete game together, offensively, defensively and special teams. I think once we do that we’ll hopefully put the league back on notice,” said Fajardo, adding the right time for the Riders to “get hot” is now with five games left before playoffs.
Dickenson said he is optimistic heading in to Calgary and he hopes the players can use the time they have left before kick off to prepare mentally and put the icing on the cake.
“I know we’re going to go into a tough place to play against the team that’s playing with a lot of confidence so, is it enough? I hope so and I think so.”
With only a few games left in the regular season, Dickenson said the team can still control their destiny in terms of the playoffs and hosting a playoff game.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
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.
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.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
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.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
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.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.