By Geoff Crane
Stampeders.com

This weekend, the Calgary Stampeders will look to keep their winning ways going when they stroll into Riderville to take on the down-on-their-luck Saskatchewan Roughriders.

However, while some Stamps fans may have already chalked up this game in the win column, you won’t find any of the men in the McMahon Stadium locker room taking this game lightly.

Savvy defensive back Joe Burnett is not ready to dismiss the green men just because of a lousy record.

“To be honest with you, Saskatchewan is a pretty good team,” says the man nicknamed Smokin’ Joe. “As you look at them and study the film, this is a game where you have got to be all in.

“You can’t play down a level just because they are 0-7.”

Indeed, that 0-7 mark is a bit misleading when you break down some of the facts when it comes to Saskatchewan’s season to date.

Despite losing their top two QBs in the first five games, the Riders have one of the league’s top offences, boasting 17 TDs on the season – good enough for second place – and rank tops in yards of offence, average yards of offence per game, first downs, net rushing yards and passing yards.

Additionally, five of Saskatchewan’s seven losses have been decided by four points or fewer. It would seem all it would take is a team to take them lightly to end up on the losing side of the scoreboard.

Burnett and company will also be facing another young quarterback this week. Recalling back to Week 2 when Calgary strolled into Montreal, a young rookie QB — Rakeem Cato — ended up landing a major upset victory over the defending champs, seemingly catching them by surprise.

Burnett insists the Stamps have learned their lesson and will not be apt to make that mistake again as they look for their first road win of the season.

“He’s a rookie quarterback but he’s doing a good job of finding his receivers and playing good ball,” says Burnett. “We need to try to rattle him and get into his head. A little pressure on him, jump fast and start in on him early will give him a little shake.”

While the Calgary defence prepares to shut down Gang Green, the Stamps offence seems to have hit its stride and is looking forward to settling into a rhythm.

Last week’s 48-3 breakout party included a 17-yard TD strike to receiver Joe West in the second quarter, seemingly breaking the back of the RedBlacks. Prior to the contest, West was having a quiet season with 12 catches for 116 yards and no trips to the end zone.

Similarly, in the early parts of the season, there was talk the Calgary offence seemed out of sync, although that now seems to have been rectified.

“The chemistry that we had in the last game was amazing,” says West, who caught two passes for 54 yards and one major in Week 8. “I feel in sync with Bo (Levi Mitchell). We’re seeing each other more on the field and I’m just doing my job, trying to stay open and run my routes.”

While West is appreciative of the attention he’s getting for his performance, he is quick to share the love with the rest of the the receiver squad.

“It’s not just about me,” says West. “There are four other guys out there running their routes and we work on each other’s game together and share in each other’s success.”

Speaking of receivers, the Riders have quite the corps themselves, boasting threats such as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Weston Dressler.

It’s a group that has burned many defences in the past and, despite the team record, is capable of a big play at any time.

Burnett knows the secret to shutting down Saskatchewan’s receivers lies in smart physical play, a challenge the Stamps welcome.

“We need to put our hands on guys,” says Burnett. “We just have to go into it, start fast, play sound, fundamental defence and just play for each other.”

West echoes the statement of his defensive counterpart, knowing that it will take a full effort from each man to take down a rested Roughriders team at Mosaic in front of a sellout crowd.

“You can’t really underestimate any team in this league,” says West. “I know these guys took time off in their bye week to get rested, recovered and focused on the things they need to pay attention to and to get better. I know they’re going to be ready.

“We just have to make sure we are preparing ourselves the right way and go out there and execute.”