The Craig Dickenson-coached Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping to win with E’s.
“Emotion, energy and execution,” quarterback Jake Dolegala said. “Those are the three E’s that Dickie wants us to put emphasis on this week.
“Each guy has got to look at himself individually, see where he can improve, and go from there.”
Another E word — eliminated — will be applicable to the Stampeders if the Roughriders win on Friday and thereby scratch the Stampeders from the CFL’s playoff picture.
Despite a five-game losing streak, the Roughriders (6-10) can nail down the West Division’s third and final post-season berth by downing the Stampeders (4-11).
“You want to always control your own fate and we still have control of that,” Dickenson said after the Roughriders practised at Mosaic Stadium on Tuesday.
“There are a few other teams in this league that don’t and it’s tough to motivate those guys when they know they’re already out, so we feel very fortunate.
“We’ve been lucky, in a lot of ways, that other teams have lost and we’re still in the mix, but we’ve got to take advantage of that.
“One of our players said today, ‘It doesn’t matter if you buy 20 tickets or if you buy one ticket. If you get lucky and you get a chance to win, you’ve got to take your opportunity and you’ve got to hit it.’
“We’ve been fortunate that we’re still alive. We still control our own destiny. Now we’ve got to take advantage of that and go out there and win a game.”
The recipe? Again, it goes back to the E’s.
“We want better energy, we want to play with a little more emotion, and we need to execute,” Dickenson said. “We talked a lot about those three things.
“We need all of them in order to be successful. You can’t have one without the other two and expect to be successful, so that has been the point of emphasis today and it will be throughout the week.”
The point man for the offence will again be Dolegala, who is to make his eighth consecutive start.
“We’re going to go with Jake,” Dickenson said. “He has earned that right.”
What tipped the balance in Dolegala’s favour?
“Just games played,” Dickenson replied. “It seems like he has done a good job.
“It is more of a gut call.”
Mason Fine had made four consecutive starts before suffering a hamstring injury that opened the door for Dolegala.
Asked if Fine is likely to see action on Friday, Dickenson said: “I hope not. I hope that we’re playing well and it’s Jake the whole time. But if we need a spark or if there’s an injury, we’ll certainly roll Mason out.”
O’DAY’S ORATION
The Roughriders’ players were addressed by General Manager and Vice-President of Football Operations Jeremy O’Day before Tuesday’s practice — the team’s first since Saturday’s 38-13 home-field loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
“I think the guys are ready to go,” Dolegala said. “They’re refocused.
“We had a great little spiel from J.O. this morning. I think he got his message across.”
The key to it all?
“The big thing this week is just execution across the board,” Dolegala said.
