The Saskatchewan Roughriders know all too well about adversity.
They seem to face it every year.
It was at this time last year the club had a record of 4-4 heading into the Labour Day game against Winnipeg. They went on to win that game, the next week back in Winnipeg and ultimately on their way to the Grey Cup.
Running back Wes Cates says lofty expectations may have gotten the better of the team. He says it's just time to relax.
People went "loonie" over a gold coin imprinted with the Saskatchewan Roughriders logo that was unveiled at the Northgate Mall on Thursday afternoon.
Three million of the limited edition coins have been produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.
James Love with the Royal Canadian Mint says there is a lack of green on the coin, but there's a good reason.
"Because this is a circulation coin, it needs to be a bit more durable -- not that I really expect any will go into circulation," he said with a laugh.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders were back at practice on Wednesday after that rough loss to Edmonton on Saturday.
Those on special teams were closely looked over. Some individual drills took place that go back to the start of rookie camp and involved coaches Mike Schepper and Nelson Martin.
Special teams coach Jim Daley is taking a lot of the blame for the lack of pop in his department. He knows he has to be a better coach, especially when it comes to the return game which has basically been non-existent.
A bright spot in an otherwise bad game for the Saskatchewan Roughriders as James Patrick is the defensive player-of-the-week for his performance in the 17-14 loss to Edmonton.
Patrick intercepted Ricky Ray once for a touchdown and Jared Zabransky twice. That gives him six interceptions on the year. He also had three defensive tackles and three special teams tackles.
Patrick joins Darian Durant, Any Fantuz, Luca Congi, Brent Hawkins and Jerrell Freeman as weekly winners.
It's probably the most painful loss of the season for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Green and White blew a two-touchdown lead and lost in Edmonton Saturday night, 17-14.
Eskimos kicker Noel Prefontaine connected on a 37-yard field goal with under a minute to play to give Edmonton (2-6) the win. Saskatchewan still sits second in the CFL West at 5-3, four points behind Calgary.
The Riders committed six turnovers, while the Eskimos had four.
It's been over two weeks since the Saskatchewan Roughriders played a meaningful game and don't think for a second they’re taking the Eskimos lightly because of the team's 1-6 record.
Defensive end Luc Mullinder says it's going to take an all-out effort.
"We can't come in there (at Edmonton) not expecting a war," said Mullinder.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are ready for game day.
It's been over two weeks since they've played a meaningful game. And don't think for a second the're taking the Eskimos lightly because of the team's 1-6 record.
Defensive end Luc Mullinder says it's going to take an all out effort.
Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Jerrell Freeman will be enjoying his bye week a little more now that he's been named the league's Defensive Player of the Week.
The honour comes after Freeman sacked B.C's Jarious Jackson three times in the Riders 37-13 win against the B.C. Lions last Thursday. They're the first sacks of his career. He also recorded three defensive tackles.
Freeman joins teammates Andy Fantuz, Darian Durant, Luca Congi and Brent Hawkins as weekly award winners this season.
As for the other awards in the CFL:
The Saskatchewan Roughriders had no trouble taking care of the B.C. Lions taking the game 37-13.
Darian Durant led the way going 18-27 for 223 yards and a touchdown to Chris Getzlaf. He also ran nine times for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Wes Cates ran for 61 yards and also punched in two TDs.
A healthier-looking Durant says it was key to get his legs going.
It's a homecoming for former Saskatchewan Roughrider Don Narcisse, who was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame on the weekend in Saskatoon.
Narcisse flew into town last Wednesday for the start of the Hall of Fame week. It's a tough time for Narcisse though as he's still grieving the loss of his mother, Dorothy, who died Monday after a lengthy illness.
"It's kind of hard, but bittersweet," said Narcisse. "I couldn't have done it without her and this is going to bring our whole family together."
