While the absence of running back William Stanback has been confirmed and the presence of Alouettes quarterback Cody Fajardo remains uncertain for Friday night’s game in Montreal, special attention will be given to the work of special teams ahead of the Saskatchewan Roughriders clash.
Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson handles this aspect of the game himself, and has expertise at both Canadian Football League (CFL) and NFL level.
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In Montreal, Byron Archambault is the Chief Instructor of Special Teams.
“You always have to be considerate of the opposing team’s coaches and coordinators,” observed Archambault. Dickenson sometimes likes to use trick plays, whether it’s on field goals or punts. There are a variety of options that may arise during Friday’s play.
“Our players are prepared, we can notice all things that could be unusual,” added the Alouettes coach. The Roughriders also have an explosive returnee in Mario Alford. We have to be careful not to give him any space.”
A fight to be won
This meeting with the Roughriders therefore has a special spice. But with three-try football, special teams are still vital in the CFL.
“The special teams are extremely important in all games,” said Archambault. Even in our last game in Hamilton, there was a time when the score went in favor of the Tiger-Cats. Jamal Davis II then made a block on a punt, we felt an immediate change in momentum. These are games that can completely change a game.
“There will be a big fight in special teams against the Roughriders, but we can win this fight,” concluded the instructor.
- American Walter Fletcher will have a chance to stand out as a running back in William Stanback’s absence. To support him, Jeshrun Antwi could also imagine running back assignments.