Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker Brett Lauther. (File photo courtesy of the Saskatchewan Roughriders)

By Britton Gray

Riders’ Lauther says there needs to be a discussion over scheduling

Dec 18, 2019 | 5:12 PM

The release of the 2020 CFL schedule on Monday had Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker Brett Lauther raising an eyebrow.

Lauther, who is also the team’s CFL Players’ Association representative, questioned why teams play so many games in between bye weeks where there are three byes available.

Lauther told the Green Zone with Jamie and Wheels on Tuesday that the issue affects multiple teams, including the Roughriders (12 games between byes) and Ottawa Redblacks (13).

“I was on a team two years ago where we had to play 11 straight,” Lauther said. “I’ve seen the locker room. I know what guys are going through and I know how tough it is.”

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Lauther pointed out his tweet might have been taken out of context.

“In no way, shape or form was I trying to bash the league. It’s such a tough job (setting a schedule). I get there’s a million things that go into it,” Lauther said.

Lauther said people are pointing out teams have gone through this type of schedule before, but Lauther said he’s voicing his opinion as someone inside the locker room during those long stretches.

“It’s crazy what the (players) are dealing with, what they have to do to get ready to play each game,” Lauther said. “You see the hits and everything that goes on and practising and we’re in the weight room — it’s just non-stop.

“It makes it a lot tougher to win games. It makes it a lot tougher to keep guys healthy.”

He said scheduling is a topic he would like to see brought up during league meetings in February.

“Why are we still playing that many games in a row when we have three bye weeks? There’s no other professional teams in football doing that,” Lauther said. “Why don’t we just go down to one bye week or two bye weeks because it just makes the season that much shorter? It comes back to the whole topic of moving the Grey Cup up.”

Lauther noted players and their families are affected by the schedule.

“It just seems like the season is longer for no reason if we’re playing 12 straight in a row anyways,” he said.

Halifax continues to push for a CFL team, which could help with some scheduling issues by bringing the league up to an even 10 teams.

Lauther, who is originally from Truro, N.S., said he’s hearing positive news on that front.

“There’s just a lot of hurdles to overcome out here and I feel like they’re doing a good job of actually not rushing into anything so it’s going to fail,” he said. “They’re making sure it’s a foolproof (plan).”

Lauther noted there will be a lot of naysayers about putting a CFL team in Halifax but Lauther feels like it will be a positive step for the province and city.

“Something like this can really bring the Maritime provinces, not just from a CFL or football perspective, but everything together — attracting bigger concerts, bringing more revenue and more money,” Lauther said. “It’s going to attract more people and younger people to stay out here.”

Lauther is at home visiting family and friends for the holidays but he’ll be working out in Regina and the States ahead of the Roughriders’ 2020 season. He said the team is building towards an important year with the Grey Cup being held in Regina.

“I got to experience that on the other sideline in Hamilton (with the Tiger-Cats) my first year in the league in 2013 so I know how big it is (in Regina) when they get a chance to host a Grey Cup,” he said.