Watching the Saskatchewan Roughriders practice the other day was downright painful.
Not painful to watch. Since they dumped Duron Carter the Roughriders no longer have a laissez-faire attitude to practice. They work hard during workouts and sprint from session to session. But the sound! That was ear-achingly awful.
In preparation for Saturday’s Banjo Bowl against the home-town Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Roughriders have been blasting static and other noise through the loudspeakers inside Mosaic Stadium. They know that Investors Group Field is the loudest stadium in the CFL. It’s designed to be loud and Winnipeg’s fans certainly make the most of it. Visiting teams have to be specially prepared for Winnipeg road trips, so the Roughriders are trying to yell through the noise and use hand signals to communicate, especially during their offensive plays.
While Riders quarterback Zach Collaros was practising his silent snap count, long-time observers were plugging their ears or angrily leaving Mosaic Stadium because of the horrible sound. A couple of young fans were so overwhelmed they wouldn’t follow their parents into the bowl to watch the practice. Maybe it even scared away some Bombers scouts…