By Murray McCormick, Leader-PostNovember 18, 2009
REGINA — It was an introduction that covered more than three decades of Saskatchewan Roughriders’ football.
REGINA — It was an introduction that covered more than three decades of Saskatchewan Roughriders’ football.
The meeting took place before Tuesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium between Rey Williams and Cleveland Vann. Williams is the current middle linebacker with the Roughriders. Vann played the same position with the Riders from 1976 to 1980.
“I always want to meet other middle linebackers,’’ Williams said. “It takes a special breed of player to play the position and it’s a special position for me. I had never met him before but it’s like we were family.’’
Vann, who lives in Regina and is a Riders’ season-ticket holder, was a member of the last Roughriders’ team to finish first in the West Division. That 1976 squad defeated the Edmonton Eskimos 23-13 in the last West Division final to be played in Regina.
Vann, who lives in Regina and is a Riders’ season-ticket holder, was a member of the last Roughriders’ team to finish first in the West Division. That 1976 squad defeated the Edmonton Eskimos 23-13 in the last West Division final to be played in Regina.
Vann was named the outstanding defensive player in the 1976 Grey Cup, in which Saskatchewan lost 23-20 to the Ottawa Rough Riders. Vann was inducted into the Plaza of Honor in 2000.
The Riders are playing host to the Calgary Stampeders on Sunday. The winner advances to the Grey Cup in Calgary on Nov. 29.
Meanwhile, the Riders couldn’t have asked for better weather to resume their on-field preparations for the West Division final.
A number of players were wearing shorts and enjoying a record-setting temperature of 17 C. The previous high was 13 C. Ken Miller, the Riders’ head coach, appreciated the unseasonably warm weather.
“It’s nice to have this weather because we don’t have an alternative to go inside,’’ said Miller. “To be out here and do the things we need to and want to do without having to worry about staying warm is advantageous.’’
The Riders have moved practices to the Credit Union Eventplex during inclement weather. The facility isn’t available because the Canadian Western Agribition starts Monday.
“It’s nice to have this weather because we don’t have an alternative to go inside,’’ said Miller. “To be out here and do the things we need to and want to do without having to worry about staying warm is advantageous.’’
The Riders have moved practices to the Credit Union Eventplex during inclement weather. The facility isn’t available because the Canadian Western Agribition starts Monday.
But weather should be the least of the Riders’ concerns for the remainder of the week. The relatively warm weather is expected to continue until Sunday’s game. Sunday’s forecasts calls for a high 1 C and a low of minus 5.
“These would be ideal conditions to play the game in,’’ said Miller. “I would hope that it would be very similar (on game day).’’
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