Still Full Speed Ahead

Despite losing on Saturday against the Montreal Alouettes, the Saskatchewan Roughriders were able to clinch a playoff berth after a one-year absence from the post-season dance.

Quarterback Darian Durant says that's a big accomplishment for the team after last year's struggles, “It means a lot.  Those of us that were in the locker room last year, who know what we went through and know how tough it was, we can appreciate making the playoffs.”

Durant congratulated Corey Chamblin on making it into the playoffs during his first year as a head coach, “I just told coach that it's not easy with as much turn around as we had this year with this team, we're a young team, and for him to accomplish that with still two weeks left in the season, it's a great accomplishment for a first year head coach.”

While it is a big accomplishment for the Green & White to get back in the playoffs, Chamblin says he wants his players to know that it is just the first step in their season, “We've done a lot of hard work to get to this point and now we've just got to make sure we get back on the winning track, but it's a big step for the organization because of where it was last year and where we are now.

“It's not arrogant, but I expected us to make the playoffs and I expected us to have a better record too.  The biggest thing though is for us to get to the Grey Cup, so it's a positive first step, but we've still got to move on.”

The Riders know that they will start the playoffs on the road, but they don't know where just yet as that will be decided over the final two weeks.  Chamblin says his focus is just to win the game, “It's not with a goal of let's try to go here.  We still have a regular season game to win and that's what we're going to do.  We're on the road either way it goes and we're never looking back.”

The Riders will be back on the practice field on Wednesday morning at Mosaic Stadium as they begin preparations for the Toronto Argonauts to come to town on Saturday afternoon.

Riders Injury Update

Durant was seen hobbling off the field after Saturday's loss to the Montreal Alouettes, but he was back out there for practice on Tuesday.

Durant differed to Chamblin on whether he was going to be playing, “You'll have to ask coach the specifics on that, but in talking to him, I think he's going to look out for me a little bit.”

Chamblin says he doesn't plan on resting his star pivot, or anyone else for that matter, just yet, “We've got a plan in place and as far as guys playing and their playing time, some of those things will be adjusted, but not in this game.

“We still haven't made the decision (on resting guys) because that last week can come down to whether it is East or West, so after (Saturday's) game, I'll know better on how we're going to do it and what we're going to do.”

Slotback Chris Getzlaf was in sweats at practice on Tuesday, but Chamblin expects him to be back on the field on Wednesday.  Offensive tackle Xavier Fulton, who missed the Montreal game, was back practising on Tuesday and Chamblin said “his vacation was over”, meaning he'll be back against Toronto.

A Rider was recognized for his stellar play on special teams against Montreal on the weekend, click here to find out who.