If change is good, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are going to be a special team in 2012.
Head Coach Corey Chamblin hasn’t been afraid of change; nor is he afraid to ruffle a few feathers within his own locker room by promoting, adding, demoting and subtracting players in the first six weeks of the season.
Chamblin says they need to know what they have for the stretch run which means most players are going to get a shot at playing time. For the players who are seeing their production fall off, well, it will be a quick trip to the sideline so the coach can see if the next player in line has what it takes to compete.
After the bye week, more change is in store for the Riders.
Sandro DeAngelis is in. The most accurate field goal kicker in CFL history has a chance to resume his career, largely because sophomore Chris Milo has seen his field goal percentage dip below 70, costing the team a possible win against Hamilton in Week 5 in the process.
The Roughriders defensive line is also getting adjusted. Defensive end Odell Willis, who was brought in via trade to help the pass rush, will be watching a little more often from the sideline against Edmonton. One sack isn’t good enough for a player who has had double-digit sacks in his first three CFL seasons.
Instead, Tearrius George moves to end which will allow Chamblin to possibly see Mick Williams line up for the first time this season after the defensive tackle impressed in the pre-season.
We’ve already seen Woodny Turenne replace Nick Graham at corner, Taj Smith replace Justin Harper as a wide out and youngster Patrick Neufeld jump ahead of Chris Patrick at right tackle.
These are mostly production based moves although Graham is back as a starter due to injury.
Remember, the Riders have only played five games this season.
The message is clear and is being repeated by those players who have been sent to the sideline to watch, ‘it’s about the team.’
So far the team is putting the results on the field for their boss.
Though the last two games have ended in collapse, a young team is getting taught some valuable lessons early this season.
Focus is paramount; 60 minutes of football needs to be played before you can take your mind out of the game.
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» And the Head Coach isn’t playing favourites. He was quite clear when he was hired he needs to do what it takes to keep his job and there is no doubt he’s staying true to his word.
It may be a cut throat attitude, but it’s one his players respect. Accountability needs to be there and the advantage Chamblin has is he’s been told he’s not good enough as a player. He’s been cut, demoted, released and is using that experience to be able to talk to his players man to man about why he’s making the decision and what the players future is and where they stand with him and the team.
Football is a change business and a performance based business.
If you stand pat, people will pass you by and it’s something the Saskatchewan Roughriders aren’t going to have happen.
And as long as the wins are coming more often than the losses, it’s going to be a lot easier for Chamblin to continue with the types of moves he’s been making so far this season.
He’s also making sure the fans of the team keep a program nearby so they know who all these new players are.
