Saskatchewan Roughriders Head Coach Craig Dickenson is pretty pleased with what he saw in the club’s first pre-season win in 10 years. Dickenson made his weekly Monday appearance on the Sports Cage where he told host Michael Ball that they can be much better when it comes to conditioning. ” I told the guys we need to get in better shape, so we’re going to work them out hard until we leave for Winnipeg on Thursday.”
The Riders got some solid play from all 3 quarterbacks in Saturday’s 30-27 win over the B-C Lions and overall Dickenson was pleased with how his offence looked under new co-ordinator Kelly Jeffrey. ” I enjoyed watching it, we were quick in terms of getting in and out of the huddle, we didn’t give up a sack and we pushed the ball down the field.”
Penalties were a problem for this team last year and in the pre-season opener Saskatchewan was flagged 7 times for 88 yards. The 5th year head coach isn’t panicking but he also isn’t ignoring the evidence. “We took 4 unnecessary roughing penalties which is way too many. That’s my mandate, I’m going to be on these guys all season about cutting down on penalties.”
The team is on the practice field Tuesday and Wednesday in Saskatoon before leaving for Winnipeg on Thursday. The Riders wrap up the pre-season against the Blue Bombers on Friday. Our coverage on 620 CKRM begins at 3:30pm.
