Riders try to return to winning ways as practice resumes

As the Saskatchewan Roughriders try to break out of their recent rut, the team got some words of encouragement from former offensive lineman and current general manager Jeremy O’Day.

Running back Jamal Morrow said O’Day’s advice resonated with him and the rest of the team.

“J.O. had a great speech this morning, and it was about the little things we need to do. Not even about the Xs and Os; it’s about the way you get your passion back as a team and the way you have those little things – celebrating with your teammates and the things that it takes to get that swagger back,” said Morrow.

The Riders’ coaching staff wants to see more energy out of their group this week. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

“He actually went in depth in the way to get that back.”

The Riders have lost their five most recent CFL games. The team reached a new low point on Saturday as the Roughriders lost 38-13 to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Legends Night – an evening where the team honoured the late George Reed and the 2013 Grey Cup championship team.

Morrow said it was valuable to hear from O’Day, who won a Grey Cup as a player with the Riders in 2007 and again as an executive in 2013.

“For me, it was very motivating,” Morrow said. “If we take those words and apply them, we will be fine.”

Head coach Craig Dickenson said the energy was good as the team returned to the field.

“I think the guys were disappointed in the game, but I think they washed it. That 24-hour rule, I think, kicked in and they were really good out there today,” Dickenson said.

“We want better energy, we want to play with a little more emotion and we need to execute. We talked a lot about those three things, and we need all of them in order to be successful. You can’t have one without the other two and expect to be successful.”

Despite the slide, the Riders (6-10) remain in control of their own playoff destiny as they hold the third spot in the West Division over their opponent this week, the Calgary Stampeders (4-11).

But a loss to the Stamps at McMahon Stadium on Friday will give Calgary the tie breaker over the Riders. Kickoff for the game is set for 7:30 p.m.

“(The mood) is better than it was after the game. We know it is do or die now. We know what’s at stake and we know what we have to do to get our spot in the playoffs,” Morrow said.

“There’s no excuses; we just have to finish the little things and execute a little bit more.”

Notes: The Riders announced on Tuesday that the team has signed American defensive back Abu Daramy-Swaray. He suited up for five games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this season. Prior to the CFL, the 27-year-old spent time with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals, and the Potsdam Royals of the German Football League.