The Saskatchewan Roughriders have just completed the final workout of their 2012 training camp. The CFL team has a walkthrough set for Thursday and its final pre-season game Friday — and then it’s time for the regular practice schedule to take effect.

Anyway, here are some of the goings-on that caught one’s eye Wednesday:

– Centre Dominic Picard wasn’t on the field at all. Head coach Corey Chamblin didn’t know what was ailing Picard or what his prognosis is; the veteran centre apparently started feeling the effects of whatever’s bothering him during Monday’s practice in Moose Jaw. In Picard’s absence, Alex Krausnick-Groh took the majority of the snaps with the first-team offence.

– The spectators Wednesday included guard Chris Best, running back Louis Rankin, receiver Dallas Baker and defensive back Terrell Maze.

– There nearly were a number of other players sidelined during the practice. Receiver Sinorice Moss made a diving catch along the sideline and, as he skidded out of bounds, he collided with the legs of defensive end Brent Hawkins. Hawkins got up quickly, but Moss stayed down for a moment before returning to the field. Slotback Efrem Hill also needed to collect himself after getting drilled accidentally by cornerback Lance Frazier on a passing play. And safety Craig Butler hobbled off the field with what appeared to be a right leg injury, only to pop back up and be on the field two plays later.

– Butler had the defensive play of the practice, stepping in front of a Levi Brown pass and returning it for a touchdown.

– Chris Francis was working with the first-team defence at weak-side linebacker.

– A brief torrential downpour hit practice, but the players continued on through the rain. The moisture caused only a couple of miscues, including a pass attempt by quarterback Darian Durant on which the ball slipped out of Durant’s right hand and landed only a yard or two away.

– Taj Smith (diving catch across the middle) and Weston Dressler (bomb from Drew Willy) turned in the offensive plays of the practice.

– Slotback Chris Getzlaf, who didn’t participate in Tuesday’s practice, was back on the field Wednesday — armed with a new contract extension.

– Chamblin stopped the practice midway through, gathered his charges around him and delivered what he later called some “choice words.” He was eager to see his players practise like professionals and told them as much.

That’s about it. For more, see Thursday’s Leader-Post and www.leaderpost.com.

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