Riders look to put talk into action to try and end four-game slide

Editor’s note: This article contains strong language.

Leaders on the Saskatchewan Roughriders are tired of talking about what needs to change to end their four-game slide. They want to see those changes put into action.

“It’s about action, and it’s about doing it. Frankly, I get tired of sitting here saying these certain things. It’s tiring and, frankly, pissed off. You lose this many in a row, it fricking pisses you off and you get tired of talking. Just do it,” quarterback Trevor Harris said as the team returned to the practice field after a 44-24 loss to the Montreal Alouettes.

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“Whatever we are talking about, we are doing, whatever our culture is and the things we are trying to focus on for the week, do it and do it well. That’s been the focus of conversation and who we are going to be.”

The Riders have seen their 6-2 start to the season disappear, as their record has been flipped over the past eight games. They now sit at 8-8 after a four-game slide. That has included losses like 31-24 to the B.C. Lions and 37-31 to the Calgary Stampeders, which required late touchdowns to get those games looking close on the scoreboard.

In the last meeting with the Alouettes, quarterback Davis Alexander connected with his receivers for three touchdowns of more than 45 yards, despite the Riders saying they had to limit Montreal’s explosiveness.

“A bunch of guys playing their own game and not their A-game. We didn’t really gel as a team — as a defence, offence and special teams together — and I think that cost us a lot, especially in the second half,” said defensive back Tevaughn Campbell, who returned to the lineup in that game.

“We’ve been thinking about it all year, and we have been talking about it all year, so it’s definitely something that’s on our mind and something we strive to correct every game. It’s something we have to keep working on and working towards.”

Much like Harris, Campbell is also frustrated with talking about the same issues week after week.

“You come to an interview and you ask us what we have to do and we tell you we have to cut out our mistakes and be detailed and then we go into the game and it’s the same things that are happening and then we come back and we tell you guys the same thing and it’s like over and over and over,” Campbell said.

“From a coach’s perspective, I can see it where they aren’t on the field and they are wondering what they have to do to help (us). At the same time, we are sitting there wondering what we are not doing correctly.”

“We get into the game and we completely lose our minds. It is frustrating and it’s something that’s not going to get corrected overnight, so we just have to keep working and keep going forward.”

The Riders will look to turn things around this week in a rematch against the Alouettes on Saturday in a game that could see Montreal rest a number of starters. Kickoff for the game is set for 1 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 11 a.m.

Saskatchewan can clinch a playoff spot with a win paired with a loss by either Calgary or the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.