Roughriders with ‘tough decisions’ heading into final day of training camp

Saskatchewan Roughriders' head coach Corey Mace watches on during team training camp

Saskatchewan Roughriders’ head coach Corey Mace says the end of training camp is one of his least favourite days, as cuts loom and final roster decisions must be made.

“It’s the worst part of the job, no doubt,” he told reporters after Thursday’s practice. “But it’s inevitable it has to happen. The main thing is we finish our camp strong tomorrow, and as a team.”

“Let alone, there’s going to have to be decisions made. We’re just looking to finish camp strong as a team and then go through the process,” Mace added.

Saskatchewan opted to slow things down Thursday and run a walk-through, instead of a more regular practice, despite not having a game on the schedule for more than two weeks.

“Looking at how the camp has been, too many overloaded days, it [was] just wise to slow it down and really just task the mental component of it,” the coach explained.

“[We] had a bunch of guys that were kind of dinged up that are trending to come back to practice tomorrow. So, let’s get everybody the mental reps before we go attack.”

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Mace would not pin one position where tougher roster decisions are more present than others.

He only said no decision is easy as they work through rounding out the opening week lineup.

“I wouldn’t narrow it down,” Mace added. “I think there’s a few spots where there’s some tough decisions.”

With one final day of training camp remaining, coaches still are looking for effort which could be a deciding factor on earning a spot or going home.

“It’s going to have some weight,” Mace said. “We’re going to put some guys in situations where they’ll have to think and that’s part of the evaluation. There’s the physical component, which you could be a specimen, but be limited because you don’t know what you’re doing.”

“Being a professional, you’ve got to be accountable and you’ve got to be reliable. Tomorrow’s practice will be one of those,” he added.

Saskatchewan is the lone team that does not play a preseason game this week and will have a bye in Week 1 of the regular season.

The Riders, as is the case with each team across the CFL, have until 11:59 p.m. local time Saturday to make their final roster decisions.