Another week, another heartbreaker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who, up 21–17 on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats heading into the fourth quarter, lost 31–21. That leaves them at 0-5 heading into Week 6—the only team in the league without at least two wins.

In this week’s roundtable, featuring members of Sportsnet.ca’s CFL panel on three hot-button issues, we discuss how much Roughriders coach Corey Chamblin should be to blame for the team’s rough start, plus look at the impact of even more injuries to high-profile offensive stars.



1. Should Corey Chamblin’s job be in jeopardy?

Bennett: No. I’m of the belief that coaches don’t become smarter or subsequently dumber overnight. Chamblin led the Riders to victory in the 101st Grey Cup. If fired, Chamblin would be hired elsewhere in no time and the Riders would still have serious roster and health issues to manage.

Dunk: Yes. Chamblin has taken over defensive play-calling duties and it hasn’t gone well. Plus, some late-game decisions have been questionable and in four close losses those stand out.

Thomas: No. There is still a lot of time remaining in the season and the Riders are not out of it at all. It is not Chamblin’s fault that the team lost Darian Durant in the opener, and still the Riders have remained competitive. I say they turn this around soon.

Madani: If firing Corey Chamblin will heal Darian Durant’s Achilles, or Kevin Glenn’s shoulder, then absolutely, in a heartbeat. Otherwise, what possible good would it do to fire a coach right now who doesn’t have a competent quarterback? Look, Chamblin’s had his faults through five games: short yardage has been an adventure; defensive backs haven’t adjusted to the new rules; the pass rush is non-existent; and his decisions in overtime (deciding to settle for a field goal on third and one? Really?) have been bizarre. But moving forward, a coaching change doesn’t fix the problem—it just calls for a time of death on the 2015 season.

2. Jon Cornish’s thumb injury means ______?

Bennett: We will learn about his pain threshold and the Stamps’ depth at RB. A scaphoid fracture is a tough one to heal because the bone doesn’t get much blood, but once they put a pin in it theoretically he could play with a cast. But playing with one hand might not be worth it in a passing league. Leaning on the best natural passer in the league in Bo Levi Mitchell isn’t the end of the world.

Dunk: Calgary shifts to using an import at running back. Martell Mallett shouldered the load last season when Cornish went down and it appears Tory Harrison will do the same this year. It sets the scene for Cornish to make another triumphant return and strong run down the stretch.

Thomas: The Stampeders have survived without their star player before and should be able to do it again. That being said, the fact the Stamps are hurting on the offensive line as well means Bo Levi Mitchell will be in tough considering defences don’t have to worry about Cornish for awhile.

Madani: That the Stampeders will have to tweak what they did offensively the first nine weeks of last season when they were without their star tailback. Issue is, they’re missing many of their 2014 receiving options (Price, Lewis, Cunningham) and with the offensive line injuries, Bo Levi Mitchell remains under siege. The Stamps will be fine losing Cornish for six to eight weeks on a non-knee/leg/foot injury—he’ll return fresh and healthy when the weather gets worse and many players league-wide are battered from the toll of a long season.

3. With the rash of QB injuries, will back-up quarterbacks (and their agents) around the league now have more leverage in contract negotiations moving forward?

Bennett: A resounding yes. Right now we’re on pace for the majority of teams to have more offensive snaps without their starting QB than with him. The strength of the QB room as a whole and not just the top of the depth chart will become paramount in the CFL.

Dunk: It should help beef up active incentive clauses for quarterbacks who can stay healthy. Signal callers that keep themselves on the field deserve to be paid for it.

Thomas: It is hard to predict injuries and it is also hard to project how a backup QB will do once he takes over. Kevin Glenn should command more money because he is a solid backup as opposed to someone like Trevor Harris who hasn’t proven he can he consistently do it year after year.

Madani: Slightly, and only if they’re a legitimate, established No. 2. The Kevin Glenns of the world may benefit, but often in this league so many quarterbacks are unknown, unpolished talents. Unless you’ve accomplished something in this league, your leverage is zero.