Big Difference in Two Years for LDC

Two years ago, the Labour Day Classic featured a team with a 7-1 record and another with a 1-7 record.  It's the same story this year, but only roles are reversed.

The first place Saskatchewan Roughriders will host the struggling Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday at Mosaic Stadium in what looks like a pretty big mismatch on paper.  Although the Riders aren't looking at it that way because of what happened two years ago.

Winnipeg came into Mosaic Stadium as the class of the CFL and riding a five-game winning streak, but that quietly turned on the Taylor Field turf.  The Riders went onto win the Labour Day Classic, 27-7, and followed that with a 45-23 win in the Banjo Bowl the next week.

“It can happen and that's the reason why you can't overlook these guys,” said quarterback Darian Durant, who was under centre for both those games in 2011.  “They're so hungry and they're going through a lot of change over there as well and they want to come out and fight for their jobs as well.”

The Riders had fired head coach Greg Marshall two weeks before the Labour Day Classic after the team got off to an abysmal start that season.  Ken Miller returned to the sideline and provided the team with a spark, but it didn't last long as they finished with a 5-13 record.

Durant knows from experience and doesn't want to serve as the spark for the Blue Bombers to turn their season around.  “They just want to get a win,” he said.  “What better team to get a win against than the team that has the best record in the league, so those guys are going to come in fired up and it's going to be a great test for them.”

It's amazing what two years can do to a franchise, but as much as the Blue Bombers have fallen, the Riders can serve as an example that with the right moves they can climb back up the standings in no time.

The Riders went out after the 2011 season and hired Corey Chamblin as head coach and he, along with additions by general manager Brendan Taman, have helped to breath new life into the team.  They are now the early favourites to be playing a home Grey Cup this November at Mosaic Stadium.

“From the top to bottom we're a better team, that starts in the front office and it goes all the way down the last guy on the roster,” said Durant on how much different the team since 2011.  “I just think we're a whole different team and it's worked for the best.

“We're led by a great CEO, by a great community and then you put that with the head coach, the staff, the players, from top to bottom, I just think it's laid out perfectly.”

The Riders won't get caught looking ahead however and are focused on tackling the Blue Bombers over the next two weeks before moving on. 

“There's a lot of things that make them dangerous,” said Chamblin.  “They've had so many changes, so it's one of those things to where we have a game plan in place, but we may have to make some adjustments to see what they're doing.”

“I know they've got their backup quarterback and they're going through some tough times right now, but the only thing I can control is how we play when game day comes around, and that's all I'm worried about,” added linebacker Weldon Brown.

The Green and White have two days of practice left before hosting the Bombers in the Labour Day Classic at 2:00pm on Sunday.

Brown Fined...  Weldon Brown has been fined by the CFL for his hit on Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Mike Reilly near the end of last week's game.  The linebacker connected with Reilly's helmet and the CFL deemed the hit illegal and dangerous.  The amount of the fine wasn't disclosed.

Bagg Moving Closer To Return...  Rob Bagg was back practicing with the first-team offence on Thursday.  He's trying to come back after missing last week with a sprained knee.  The final decision will probably be made after Friday's practice.   In other injury news, Dwight Anderson was back on the practice field on Thursday, while Sam Hurl, Chris Best, Jock Sanders and Eron Riley were all absent.

Riders Set For Fan Day... The Riders will be hosting “SGI Play It Safe Day” on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium.  There will be a barbeque starting at 10:00am, which will be followed by the team's walkthrough and an autograph session.  Fans are encourage to come early due to a limited amount of autograph cards and giveaways available.