Roughriders head coach Ken Miller isn't getting his players too geared up just yet. He wants the team ready when they step on the field on Sunday to take on the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL West final.
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post
EGINA — Playoff pressure? The Saskatchewan Roughriders aren't showing signs of feeling any.
It has been evident during practices leading up to Sunday's West Division final (3:30 p.m., CKRM, TSN) against the Calgary Stampeders at a sold-out Mosaic Stadium. The Riders have looked relaxed leading up to Sunday's game.
It has been evident during practices leading up to Sunday's West Division final (3:30 p.m., CKRM, TSN) against the Calgary Stampeders at a sold-out Mosaic Stadium. The Riders have looked relaxed leading up to Sunday's game.
"You can look at our head coach and see why we are that way,'' Quarterback Darian Durant said after the Riders completed their final on-field preparations Friday at Mosaic Stadium. "No matter what the situation, (head coach) Ken Miller is always the calmest guy on the sidelines and that rubs off on the players. If you see your coach get tight, that may rub off on some guys who are not mentally tough. We're a calm squad and he always preaches to us to stay calm and collected.''
Miller was concerned about the Riders peaking too soon. He reminded the team earlier in the week to keep that in mind.
"I've worked really hard to maintain my pace and not get too excited,'' said Miller. "That's what I told the players and that I didn't want them to be geared up to play the game too early. I want them to be ready come game time on Sunday."
That poise will be needed because the winner advances to the Grey Cup in Calgary on Nov. 29. The Riders and Stampeders tied for first in the West Division (10-7-1). The Riders picked up top stop because of their superior record in the season series of 2-0-1. Saskatchewan now faces the task of having to beat Calgary four times in the same season to advance to the Grey Cup.
There is precedent. The Stampeders beat the B.C. Lions four times in 2008 en route to winning the Grey Cup.
"The pressure is on them,'' said Durant, who is to make his first playoff start at quarterback for the Riders. "We're in our comfort zone and they have to come in here and beat us. They have to overcome not beating us
"The pressure is on them,'' said Durant, who is to make his first playoff start at quarterback for the Riders. "We're in our comfort zone and they have to come in here and beat us. They have to overcome not beating us
all year.''
Lance Frazier, a veteran defensive back with the Riders, said that inner calmness is a key to playing football.
"You can't play a productive, team-oriented sport tight,'' said Frazier. "You have to be loose. You have to take a professional approach but you have to have fun doing what you love. That's what we've been doing all week.''
"You can't play a productive, team-oriented sport tight,'' said Frazier. "You have to be loose. You have to take a professional approach but you have to have fun doing what you love. That's what we've been doing all week.''
Defensive tackle Marcus Adams said the laid-back atmosphere masks the intensity of the Riders.
"We all know that we had to prepare ourselves as we do every week,'' said Adams. "We know that it's going to be intense and very loud but we know what it takes to get ourselves ready. We're just holding back on our
"We all know that we had to prepare ourselves as we do every week,'' said Adams. "We know that it's going to be intense and very loud but we know what it takes to get ourselves ready. We're just holding back on our
emotions.''
It would be difficult not to get excited about Sunday's dream matchup. The Riders and Stamps were first and second, respectively, in the West. They each scored a total of 514 points.
Calgary boasts the West Division's nominee for the most outstanding player in running back Joffrey Reynolds. The Riders counter with defensive end John Chick, the West's nominee for the defensive player-of-the-year.
"That will be an interesting clash and I will predict that John Chick will do very well in it,'' said Miller.
Adding to the charged atmosphere is the return of Calgary quarterback Henry Burris. Burris spent 2 1/2 seasons with the Riders before signing with the Stampeders in 2005 as a free agent. He still generates a passionate reaction from Riders fans and that is expected to continue Sunday.
Adding to the charged atmosphere is the return of Calgary quarterback Henry Burris. Burris spent 2 1/2 seasons with the Riders before signing with the Stampeders in 2005 as a free agent. He still generates a passionate reaction from Riders fans and that is expected to continue Sunday.
"We all know what is at stake,'' said Durant. "The thing you have to do is put that in the back of your mind and focus on football. We'll worry about the outcome later.''
The sell-out crowd of 30,945 may also play a role in determining the outcome. A total of 30,000 Thundersticks are to be distributed before the game.
"We appreciate our fans and the intelligent noise that they make,'' said Miller. "They truly are the 13th man and the players feed off them. We're happy to have them.''
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