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The Saskatchewan Roughriders are accustomed to being denied but, this time, their punt-and-grunt offence cannot be blamed.

The latest denials are courtesy of the Ottawa Redblacks and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, two rival CFL teams that have reportedly rebuffed the Roughriders as they search for a head coach to replace Chris Jones.

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TSN’s Dave Naylor reported Saturday that Ottawa had refused to grant Saskatchewan permission to interview offensive co-ordinator Jaime Elizondo.

Then came Naylor’s Sunday report that Winnipeg will not allow the Roughriders to talk to offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice.

“The calendar appears to be the issue” in both cases, Naylor tweeted.

The Roughriders have had a head-coaching void since Jones resigned Tuesday in order to become a senior defensive assistant with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

Although Jones accessed an escape hatch that allowed him to pursue opportunities in the NFL or NCAA, it is doubtful that the Roughriders would have stood in his way even if the contractual clause had not existed.