By Joel Gasson

Roughriders coaching staff not thrown off by short week

Jul 16, 2012 | 5:00 PM

To use an awful cliche, it is what it is.

That's pretty much what the Roughriders coaching staff is saying as they face a short week of practice before taking on the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday evening.

“The biggest thing is making sure they know they're assignments,” said head coach Corey Chamblin. “Once again, no excuses, have to keep rolling.”

One way the coaching staff helped out the players was starting practice about an hour and 20 minutes later than they normally would, but still wrapped up around the same time.

“It was a pretty tough game for them, don't want to wear them out, being smart about their bodies,” said Chamblin.

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One thing the Riders do have working in their favour is that they will be facing an opponent they're a little more familiar with, playing in the same division as the Stampeders.

“Not only this year, but over the years, and also we've played them in the pre-season,” said defensive coordinator Richie Hall. “That's kind of an extra bonus, it's not the very first time we've seen them.”

No matter what side of the ball, coaches are saying that in a week like this, it's more about improving your own system, rather than worrying about what the other team is doing.

“We focus more on ourselves,” said offensive coordinator Bob Dyce. “What we have to do is execute our schemes, you can't go into every week and have a new game plan.”

Hall was preaching the same thing after practice on Monday.

“You believe in the scheme that you run, you believe in your system,” said Hall. “Regardless of what they do, if we do what we're supposed to do, it gives us a chance.”

Outside of the lack of practice time, a short week also gives injured players less time to recover.Offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte was seen taking reps with the first offense Monday, and Chamblin said he was good to go. However, fellow offensive lineman Chris Best is likely going to sit out another week. Defensive back Woodny Turenne was absent from Monday's work out with what Chamblin called soreness. He'll be a game time decision.

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