July 18, 2018

Notebook: Chris Jones’ actions got the Riders’ attention

HAMILTON — Brandon Bridge believes the Saskatchewan Roughriders got the message.

Roughriders head coach-GM Chris Jones stopped Tuesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium, gathered the players around him and laid into them for what he perceived to be sub-par practice habits.

On Wednesday, the CFL team held a walk-through at McMaster University — and things apparently were markedly better.

“I think we were more mentally locked in,” Bridge said later during a media availability at Tim Hortons Field, where he’s to start at quarterback for the Roughriders against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Thursday (5:30 p.m., CKRM, TSN). “We didn’t have any missed assignments during our walk-through and that’s one of the big things.

“If it’s the day before the game and you’re having mental busts, it’s definitely not a good sign. (It would show) that people aren’t really focused on practice. Today, everyone was locked in, everyone was focused, everyone knew their assignments and people were ready to play.”

Jones was pleased with what he saw from his players during Wednesday’s session.

“They’re pros,” he said. “They’ve been around us long enough. They came and had a good day today.”

On Tuesday, Jones and guard Brendon LaBatte voiced their frustration with the way the Roughriders have been practising at times this season. Noting that some players hadn’t totally bought in, LaBatte said the fact that simple mistakes were being made was “garbage.”

Having Jones stop practice and having the head coach and a veteran player offer a scathing rebuke seems to have resonated with the Roughriders.

“As adults and as professionals, you really shouldn’t (need to) be reminded,” Bridge said. “I’m sure coaches probably hate reminding (people of) something that should be understood. But sometimes you need that kick in the butt and you’ve got to go after it.”

Veteran defensive end Charleston Hughes agreed that there are times when something has to be said to get people to realize they’re scuffling.

“I don’t think 100 per cent we’ve been practising like a champion every single week so far, but I think we’ve had some championship practices,” he said. “We know what level we need to practise at and we know the level we need to compete at throughout the league.”

•••

Tristan Doughlin has done a remarkable impression of a yo-yo during the 2018 season.

The 24-year-old defensive back from Toronto is on his third go-round with the Roughriders already this season. He was signed on May 22, released on June 10, added to the practice roster on June 24, released on June 28 and re-signed on Sunday.

“It’s a little interesting, but honestly, it’s part of the business,” said Doughlin, who’s on the 46-man roster for Thursday’s game. “It depends on what the team needs at the time.

“I didn’t do anything wrong (prior to being released), but the team needed different position groups and I got the short end of the stick. It happens. I’ve just got to keep working in the meantime and wait for that next phone call.”

Both times the 5-foot-11, 190-pound product of the University of Guelph was released, he returned to Toronto. Twice now, the Roughriders have called him back — and he has never felt the urge to say no because they cut him previously.

“An opportunity is an opportunity,” he said. “You can’t be picky. And besides, I like it here.”

Doughlin went to training camp with the Montreal Alouettes in 2016, but returned to Guelph for that season. He signed with the Tiger-Cats in March of 2017, was cut in early June, joined their practice roster in early July and then was released two weeks later.

He re-signed with Hamilton in early September and played two games, recording one special-teams tackle. He was cut again two weeks later after injuring a hamstring.

Through it all, Doughlin has just kept plugging away.

“That’s all you can really do,” he said. “I’ve heard of guys being released more than I have, so that’s what keeps me going.

“When I was in Hamilton, one of the guest coaches (Nick Ferguson) had been cut something like eight times. He ended up playing in the NFL and had a great career once he found a home. That kept me going.”

•••

Hughes is to play his first game at the home of one of his former teams Thursday.

OK, so his rights belonged to Hamilton for mere minutes. But still …

The Calgary Stampeders traded Hughes to the Tiger-Cats on Feb. 2 in a deal that also included draft picks. Shortly thereafter, Hamilton sent Hughes to the Roughriders for quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.

Hughes played along when asked, tongue in cheek, about his time with Hamilton.

“My favourite memory of being a Tiger-Cat would be the first phone call I got from the GM,” Hughes said with a smile. “He said, ‘Hey, Charleston, congratulations on being a Ti-Cat. We just acquired you. It’s great to have you as part of our team.’

“The last phone call I got from him was, ‘Sorry, man. It’s just the way things worked out.’ ”

•••

An NBA transaction caught Bridge’s attention Wednesday.

His favourite team, the Toronto Raptors, traded guard DeMar DeRozan, centre Jakob Poeltl and a 2019 first-round draft pickto the San Antonio Spurs for forward Kawhi Leonard and guard Danny Green.

Bridge, a product of Mississauga, Ont., wasn’t impressed.

“Definitely not a fan of (the trade),” he said. “DeMar DeRozan, until I die, he’s actually my favourite basketball player.

“I’m still a Raptors fan no matter what. I’m always going to rock with them, but DeMar DeRozan is gone now, so I’ve got to cheer for the Spurs — when he’s not facing the Raptors.”