CFL
Saskatchewan Roughriders Head Coach Corey Chamblin held court to start the work week in more ways than one.
Not only was he the judge and jury in the locker room for misdeeds in last week’s game against Montreal, but he also gave the media, the Stampeders and the fans something to talk about heading into Sunday’s game when he guaranteed Calgary running back Jon Cornish wouldn’t run for 100 yards.
| Can Cornish be stopped? |
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In two games against the Roughriders this season, Calgary running back Jon Cornish has compiled 198 rushing yards on 35 carries, 159 of which were registered in the Stampeders’ 17-10 win in Week 9. |
Chamblin added, ‘if he does, somebody won’t be on the field come next week.”
Yes, jobs are on the line in Riderville on Sunday.
And the Riders head coach definitely got noticed as a few members of the Stampeders retweeted the comments from the coach, while receiver Anthony Parker even added ‘Let’s go’ after quoting this pundits account of Chamblin’s comments.
If there weren’t fighting words before, there definitely are now.
Defensive lineman Tearrius George has his coaches back.
“I second that motion,” George added emphatically after hearing of the guarantee.
As for his job being on the line, “It won’t be me. I’m going to get in and do my job, every part of what it takes to stop him.”
Cornish embarrassed the Riders defence the last time these two teams faced off a month ago, running for 159 yards on 24 carries in a 17-10 win.
The outing was one of three games in the past six for Cornish in which he has surpassed the 150 yards rushing mark.
Was it too brash for the head coach? Or was it the right motivator for his group to come ready for battle.
Defensive end Brent Hawkins doesn’t find any extra motivation with the guarantee. But that isn’t to say he doesn’t have Chamblin’s back.
“If Coach is ever going to come out and say we’re going to beat them 100-0, I’m going to say ‘yes, that’s exactly what we’re going to do’ and I’m going to believe it. You have to stick behind your lead guy because when you don’t that’s when things start falling apart.”
It’s not the only message being sent by Chamblin going into the game against Calgary.
He was livid over the team’s 17 penalties and 181 yards in fouls given up last week. When players arrived to start work they admit something was added to the bulletin board.
Wanted posters.
The posters identified individual players and their mistakes that led to team’s loss in yardage in Montreal.
Chamblin followed that up with a version of the People’s Court. However, it was more, Chamblin’s court as he was the judge, jury and executioner in the proceedings.
The players had a chance to argue their case, but with film to prove it, many decided to take their lumps and plead guilty.
Only one player was able to win their case with a not guilty verdict.
“You can fine guys, they’ll give you their money but they care more about their pride. Standing in front of your peers is pretty embarrassing. Some of them didn’t want to get up and they were pretty embarrassed and they were like, ‘no, I’m not doing it again’.”
The players that took the stand, including both Hawkins and George admitted they were surprised Chamblin went against his 24-hour rule.
Usually, Chamblin has a rule not to talk about last week’s game following 24 hours upon its conclusion.
Hawkins acknowledged that just showed their boss meant business about the undisciplined actions from Montreal.
There is definitely no reading between the lines this week of what to look out for against the Stampeders.
It’s clear that jobs are on the line and Chamblin’s expectations are increasing as the run to the playoffs begins.
And at the end of Sunday’s game there will be no doubt if changes are about to be made to the roster for the Riders.
The Riders will commit less penalties and Jon Cornish will either be over or under 100-yards.
On Sunday, the stats won’t lie.
