Even with the uncertain labour situation in the CFL, the Saskatchewan Roughriders continue to prepare for the upcoming season.
The Riders were back on the field at Griffiths Stadium on Tuesday, working with a mindset that they will be opening the preseason against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on May 31 at Mosaic Stadium.
Head Coach Craig Dickenson says the team is keeping it’s focus on the field right now. “We know there’s stuff going on behind closed doors, we respect the process and we just keep rolling on, we had meetings last night as always, practice was really good today.”
Even without with the collective bargaining agreement unsettled heading into practice, Dickenson wasn’t surprised too see the players back practicing. The Head Coach of the Riders noted the players wanted to be on the field and was happy to see the team respond with good energy.
With less than a week before the Riders are scheduled to begin the preseason, Riders Quarterback Cody Fajardo noted there are a lot of areas for the team to work on the field including their aerial attack with the receiving group. “You can tell we were focusing on the deep ball stuff, I think we are a very talented group, just got to stay healthy.”
Fajardo noted there have been plenty of new faces within the Rider locker room and has also been happy with the veteran leadership that has already emerged throughout training camp.
The movement of the hash marks on the field is one rule change that the Riders have been adjusting to throughout training camp, Fajardo thinks the rule change is a step in the right direction. “I think it’s definitely a benefit for the offence, guys on the boundary aren’t so crowded anymore, so I think it will create more yards after catch.”
The Riders will resume practice on Wednesday morning in Saskatoon.
(With files from Michael Ball)
