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Roughriders head coach Corey Mace better get fit for some boxing gloves.
Mace might have a fight on his hands when it comes to resting or playing quarterback Trevor Harris.
“I’ll fight him,” quipped Harris when Green Zone Rider reporter Britton Gray even eluded to the prospect of having Mace decide to sit Harris for the remainder of the season or even parts of the final two regular season games.
Read more:
- Jamie Nye: Trevor Harris deserves another year with the Riders, if he wants it
- Jamie Nye: The Roughriders’ offence appears close, yet so far away
- Jamie Nye: Upon review, the CFL’s replay centre should be overturned
The quandary facing the Roughriders is complex now that the Roughriders have clinched the CFL West Division Final at home and have two meaningless games to round out the regular season.
Mace gets paid the big bucks to make these decisions, although his quarterback gets paid even more money to throw the football.
And Trevor Harris wants to throw the football for a few more weeks to get ready for the playoffs.
Harris is always honest. He knows as well as the team has played all season, they are leaving way too many opportunities on the field that need to get ironed out before they host the West Final.
Harris is also extremely competitive and has been in places that as soon as he’s given the ball up for injury or otherwise has seen someone else grab the ball and not give it back.
You probably now understand a little bit more into Harris’ psyche. He knows he can play better. He knows with receivers in and out of the lineup they need more time to gel ahead of the playoffs. He knows that taking the foot off the gas pedal down the stretch can come back and haunt you as it did the 16-2 Argonauts back in 2023.
That season the team’s defensive coordinator was, in fact, Corey Mace.
Mace will share some of that sentiment that Harris is likely thinking as well, but he also knows this team can not have their franchise quarterback injured heading into the playoffs.
Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace might have a fight on his hands when it comes to resting or playing quarterback Trevor Harris, says Jamie Nye (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu)
So what do you do?
Rest or play?
I’m really hoping Trevor Harris was being sarcastic when he threatened to fight Mace if he dares think to sit him, because Harris does need to take a seat.
The reasons are abundant.
First, Harris himself has admitted and continues to get asked about his shoulder/arm issue he dealt with mid-season. And while he says everything is taken care of, it’s still his most important appendage for the success of the Roughriders and could use some off days.
Secondly, if it’s not his arm, any other injury would derail the Roughriders’ chances come the West Final. The Bombers will be playing for a potential home playoff date so it’s not like they’ll be willing to play preseasonesque vanilla football. The Lions in the final week of the season may to be playing for second in the West, and with the way their defensive line has surged, you may want to avoid any and all hits Trevor Harris might take.
Thirdly, Harris is 39 years old. Does he really need the extra game reps to get ready for the season? After barely playing in the preseason after months off and a full training camp, Harris and the Roughriders put up 31 points in Week 1. Picture the next four weeks as another training camp for the Roughriders, hone in and be ready and just like the preseason games. Harris should get about three series maximum!
Finally, Jake Maier needs some extended time. Say something does happen to Harris ahead of the West Final or even during that game. Maier has barely seen the field this season with this receiving corps and this offence. You need to have your backup as ready as possible for worst case scenario purposes.
So sorry, Trevor, this is a fight I think you need to lose.
Put up your dukes!
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