Riders Prepare for Fort Mac Attack
A week ago the Saskatchewan Roughriders made their first team appearance in Prince Albert; something that had been expected since the days of Ray Jauch who actually sent out a scouting party to Prince Albert in the mid-1990s looking to check the viability of such a venture.
If I recall correctly, and I may have done a story or two on it back then, the Riders were fine with the idea of coming to PA, especially with then sponsors Weyerhaeuser and PA Northern Bus Lines, but then money got tight and the idea was dropped.
So Prince Albert football fans got a taste of what the Riders are trying to do this year, and this Saturday on TSN at 8 p.m., we get to see the results of the first two weeks in camp. However, a few explanatory notes may be in order.
The Riders have gone with walk through practices and no pads in an effort to reduce injuries. This is wise when you look south of the border and see the Denver Broncos lose their first round draft pick in a practise with pads, the Jacksonville Jaguars losing their number one pick to a drill, which did not include pads. There is no reason to beat up your own team at this stage of the season when health is the wild card that usually decides who gets to hoist the Grey Cup.