In many ways, Patrick Lavoie is settling in nicely with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
He’s becoming more and more comfortable with the CFL team’s playbook.
He’s getting to know his new teammates better every day.
The personal belongings he left behind in Montreal when he was acquired Oct. 10 from the Alouettes have caught up to him in Regina.
There is one problem, however.
“Normally I sleep for 7 ½ or eight hours and I’m fully energized, but right now, the two-hour time difference is getting to me,” the fullback/slotback said with a chuckle after the Roughriders practised Thursday at Mosaic Stadium. “I’m going to bed early and I’m getting here really early in the morning to get ready for practice.”
Lavoie spent the first two seasons of his CFL career with the Alouettes before playing the next four campaigns with the Ottawa Redblacks. He rejoined Montreal as a free agent prior to the 2018 season, but was acquired by Saskatchewan at the league’s trading deadline on Oct. 10.
After one full practice with the Roughriders, the 30-year-old product of Saint-Flavie, Que., was put on the active roster for their game Saturday against the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Lavoie didn’t start the contest at receiver, but he was inserted when Devon Bailey suffered an injury. Lavoie, who had three catches for 38 yards in his Green and White debut, noted Thursday that his head wasn’t spinning too badly during that contest.
“I worked with (Roughriders receivers coach) Travis Moore in Ottawa, so he prepared me well for the game,” Lavoie said. “The guys on the field, when I looked at them with the deer (in the headlights) eyes, they gave me the route. It went well.”
Lavoie has been working with the No. 1 offence this week in preparation for Saturday’s game against the Calgary Stampeders (5 p.m., CKRM, TSN), but he’s not sure if he’s going to get the starting nod. As a result, he has been preparing himself for his usual roles of fullback, receiver and special-teamer.
He also has continued the process of getting acclimated with a team that had gone through training camp and 15 regular-season games together before he and guard Philip Blake were acquired in the deal with Montreal.
“I’m just trying to be me,” Lavoie said when asked how he has tried to fit in. “I’m trying to be a good guy and help the young guys.
“My goal is to try to win games and not be a jerk. They’ve got good chemistry in the receiving corps, so I’m just trying to slowly fit in and not make too many waves.”
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Two of Saskatchewan’s young receivers are on the list of eight Roughriders who are eligible for the award as the CFL’s outstanding rookie.
The league issued the names Thursday in advance of balloting by the Football Reporters of Canada and the league’s head coaches.
Receivers Kyran Moore and Jordan Williams-Lambert, linebackers Alexandre Chevrier and Micah Teitz, offensive linemen Takoby Cofield and Terran Vaughn, defensive lineman Chad Geter and quarterback David Watford are eligible to be Saskatchewan’s nominee for the league-wide award.
“The individual accolades will come, but for me, it’s really about winning (Saturday’s) game and sealing a home playoff game,” Williams-Lambert said when asked about being on the award’s watch list. “That’d be nice, but I’m trying not to focus on it.”
Players who have played previously for another CFL team in a regular-season or playoff game aren’t eligible for the rookie award. Neither are players who dressed for an NFL team in the regular season or post-season.
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The Roughriders have faced some adversity over the past seven days, including the 31-0 loss in Winnipeg and the impaired-driving charge against defensive end Charleston Hughes.
On Thursday, Saskatchewan head coach-GM Chris Jones was asked if, after a week like this, the team needs some leaders to take control.
“Leaders are made, so the guys who step up are usually the ones who do step up,” Jones replied. “You can’t just make a guy step up. We’ll see exactly who steps in and decides to say some things — but not only say them but do them.”
Jones reiterated that the Roughriders are still gathering information about the Oct. 11 incident that led to the charge against Hughes. As that process continues, Jones confirmed that Hughes will play Saturday in Calgary.
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The Stampeders’ receiving corps has taken a beating this season.
Starters like Reggie Begelton, DaVaris Daniels, Kamar Jorden and Marken Michel have landed on the six-game injured list, while Eric Rogers has missed numerous games due to injury.
To shore up the group, the Stampeders have brought in former CFLer/NFLer Chris Matthews and ex-Roughrider Bakari Grant.
For Saskatchewan safety Mike Edem, the patchwork nature of Calgary’s receiving corps won’t change the Roughriders’ approach to Saturday’s game.
“It doesn’t make a difference because 19’s arm is still slinging that thing,” said Edem, referring to Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. “That’s one thing we have to be accountable for is making sure we cover down on whoever they have out there and play in the scheme and let Coach Jones worry about 19’s arm.”
