Today could be turning point for new-attitude Riders

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This article was published 04/09/2011 (5479 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

REGINA — Ken Miller is excited, Darian Durant is optimistic and Doug Brown is concerned.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will take the field against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this afternoon at Mosaic Stadium for the first time since the Riders fired their head coach, Greg Marshall, and offensive co-ordinator, Doug Berry, on Aug. 19.

And so while the Riders players will look much the same today, the prevailing wisdom is that there will be a new attitude on the green sideline this afternoon.

“People have told me they’ve seen a change in attitude — a more positive environment,” Miller told reporters Saturday morning.

“We’ve talked about integrity, we’ve talked about discipline and effort and the fact that our opportunity is now.”

Durant, the Saskatchewan quarterback who laboured under Marshall, said he’s eager to take advantage of the fresh start provided by the coaching change and is optimistic about his 1-7 club’s chances to turn their season around in the second half.

“It is kind of hard to say when you’re sitting there with the record we have,” said Durant. “But we’re getting some guys back off the injured list, we’re getting some guys back from the NFL. We’re just coming together as a team now.”

Durant attributed much of that coming together to Miller moving from the front office back down to field level, where he piloted the Riders to the last two Grey Cup games.

“He knows what to say, when to say it. He knows when to back off. He understands the game, he understands the guys in the locker-room, that’s really important,” said Durant.

“I just feel comfortable with the game plan and what we’re going into. Plus the challenge at hand — what better way to have it than to have the number one team in the league come into your house and no one’s giving you a shot. And you have a chance to surprise everyone.”

That’s the problem alright, says Brown. The Bombers veteran defensive tackle says the coaching change makes the Riders a dangerous club, regardless of their win-loss record.

“I think historically teams win that next game they play after a (coaching) change of that magnitude,” Brown said. “Because I think the players understand they’re next on the chopping block. When there’s that level of dissent and unrest that they have to make a move like that, I think it resonates with the players. They feel it.”

Riders linebacker Barrin Simpson said there’s just something reassuring about having Miller back in the Riders locker-room. “He’s a guy who just makes you believe. He brings great enthusiasm,” said Simpson, a Bombers alumnus. “When he comes in the locker-room, he lights up the room. He’s that good. So we feed off of him.”

So much so that Durant was openly wondering if it all might not combine today to give the Riders a little something that the 7-1 Bombers have been laying claim to this season.

“If it’s anything like the past (today),” said Durant, “we’ll have a lot of fun and we’ll be the ones with the swag.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca