No bold predictions for 2017 from the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Riders preview the CFL season ahead
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are making no bold predictions about the upcoming CFL season, but the head coach is promising they'll do everything they can to win.
The Riders held a conference call Wednesday, as part of a CFL season preview.
The team enters a new football season with the ghost of 2016 lingering. The team finished 5-13, and missed the CFL playoffs.
Head coach and general manager Chris Jones told reporters that there may be some lessons the Riders take with them from that disappointing season, but he said they are ready to move on.
"You know our staff is too positive to sit there and dwell on negatives and feel sorry for ourselves — I can assure you of that."
Glenn likes what he sees in 2017
Veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn also offered his assessment of the team.
It will be the 37-year-old QB's third stint with the Green and White.
He entered the CFL with the Riders in 2001. He returned in 2015.
In all, he has played 56 games with the team, starting in 19 of them.
Glenn believes he still has much to offer.
"I have full confidence in myself being able to lead this team, not just on the field but off the field, too, as far as experience and helping some of the young guys to be professional," he said.
Glenn suggested the team has a lot of depth and should be able to withstand injuries this season.
The biggest challenge from his point of view will be learning to work together as a team.
"Not one guy is going to do this," Glenn said. "It's going to take a team effort from the coaches right down to the players."
LaBatte declared 'good to go'
Jones also disclosed Brendon Labatte has been given a clean bill of health and the veteran offensive lineman will be good to go for training camp.
LaBattle suffered a bruised nerve in his neck in a game on July 16, 2016.
He sat out the rest of the season and some questioned whether he would play again.
"Anytime you can have an all-star guard, you have a better shot at keeping your quarterback healthy and upright. It helps you get some extra sleep at night." said Jones.
Glenn, who has played with LaBatte in Winnipeg and with the Riders in 2015, agreed with his coach.
"I know what the guy brings to a team. It's awesome to have a guy like that standing in front of you, protecting you."
The Riders also announced on Wednesday that national safety Mike Edem has signed an extension to remain with the team through 2018.
The Riders recently acquired 27-year-old Edem and a conditional selection in the 2018 CFL Draft from the B.C. Lions. In exchange, the Riders sent a conditional 2018 pick to the Lions.
New stadium, new pressure to win?
Glenn said he shares the fans' excitement in seeing the Saskatchewan Roughriders play in the new Mosaic Stadium.
Jones takes a more pragmatic approach, saying he's less concerned with where the team plays and is instead focused on how well the Riders perform.
"You win five games, it doesn't matter if you are playing in a parking lot," he told reporters. "You are not going to be satisfied and you are not going to be real happy with yourself."