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“We’re looking at what they do scheme-wise and how it matches up with what we’re doing,’’ Sinopoli said. “We’re just trying to worry about what we do and that’s it.’’

Gainey and Butler are both prepared to see a lot of Ellingson and Sinopoli in pass coverage.

“Ellingson and Sinopoli are savvy, veteran receivers,’’ said Gainey, who leads the CFL with eight interceptions. “Ellingson is a deep threat and they’re going to try to get him the ball. Sinopoli will do whatever he can to get open. When he does, he’s not going to drop the ball, so we’re going to have our hands full.’’

Butler is in his first CFL season and his experience with Ellingson and Sinopoli has been through film study.

“They both have great hands,’’ Butler said. “Ellingson runs great routes and we have to prepare for that.’’

Butler said the Riders don’t have to do anything differently while defending Ellingson and Sinopoli.

“We just have to keep attacking the ball,’’ Butler said. “Other than that, nothing really changes. We don’t scheme for guys. We scheme for offences. We just have to keep doing that and we’ll be successful.’’

Ellingson has been impressed by Saskatchewan’s defence, and with how Gainey has performed, while studying the Green and White’s defensive schemes.

“It’s a game that you look forward to because you’re going up against guys who are having good years and standing out in the league,’’ Ellingson said. “It’s nice to have those matchups and that just comes from being competitive.’’