Even though it was a holiday Monday, Saskatchewan Roughriders Head Coach Craig Dickenson has already begun the preparations of getting the green and white ready for their rematch against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, following the Bombers win at the Labour Day Classic in Regina on Sunday.
On Monday, the Riders Head Coach joined Michael Ball on the SportsCage for “The Craig Dickenson Show” which can be heard weekly just 5:00 pm on Monday afternoons on 620 CKRM.
A hot topic following the Riders loss was the bench penalty taken by the Riders Duke Williams, despite the fact the receiver was not dressed for Saskatchewan.
The penalty turned a second and three situation into second and thirteen, which would soon be followed by a Riders punt and a wasted opportunity for the Roughriders to add some much needed points in a key game.
Dickenson is disappointed with Williams but the Riders coach is also standing by his receiver,
He feels that Duke wants to contribute to the team and that the receiver was frustrated being unable to help out his teammates in a key battle.
Williams is still in the team’s plans going forward said Dickenson.
“We’re going to give him a chance to play, hopefully he plays well,”
Dickenson continued.
“Similar to what we have done in the past with guys, if they make a mistake, we’ll hopefully correct it, and give them a chance to make amends, if it becomes a habit, it becomes a problem then we’ll deal with it.”
The Riders Head Coach believe his receiver was caught up in the moment.
“He’s an emotional guy, emotions got the best of him, probably won’t be the last time, hopefully it’s the last time this year, but we’re going to give him a chance to go out there and earn his money.”
Looking back at the close game against the Blue Bombers that was decided by a two point margin, Dickenson thinks the Riders were very close of pulling of an upset.
“If we make one play out of probably six key plays, we probably win that game. ”
Despite the narrow loss, he is hoping his team doesn’t succumb to the frustration of just falling short to Winnipeg.
“Hopefully there is a sense of resolve, okay we’re close what do we got to do to get just a little bit better that the game doesn’t come down to one last play here or one last play there.”
The message from the Riders Head Coach is for his team to move forward.
“I told them let’s just keep working, that’s the one thing that we can control, is that we can control our next day, our work ethic and what we give to that day.”
The plan for the Roughriders this week is to be back on the practice field on Wednesday leading up to Saturday’s game in Winnipeg.
The rematch between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers can be heard on 620 CKRM, Countdown to kickoff at 12:00, with the opening kickoff of 3:00.
