The Roughriders continued to practise outdoors Thursday in preparation for Sunday’s West Division semifinal against the host Stampeders.

The weather wasn’t an issue, but you all know about my obsession with the weather and wasps at Mosaic Stadium. It was cold. There weren’t any wasps, which is a good thing. So with those two issues addressed, here are the highlights.

- It would appear that Macho Harris will start at cornerback on Sunday. Harris had the majority of repetitions with the first-team offence. Tristan Jackson and Milt Collins watched most of Thursday’s drills from the sidelines. Harris may not be as physical as Collins, who is nursing a wrist injury, but he can hit.

- Based on my observations, Abraham Kromah and Jock Sanders won’t play Sunday. I didn’t see Kromah take any first-team defence reps and he wasn’t on the kickoff cover team. Being part of the kickoff cover team is a good indication of a player’s status for an upcoming game. Harris was a member of the cover team on Thursday. Sanders ran around a bit, but not often with the first-team offence. I also didn’t see him on kickoff or punt returns.

- I expect the Riders to go heavier on the defensive line in anticipation of slowing Calgary’s vaunted running attack. The Riders have been alternating Keith Shologan, Jay Alford and David Veikune at defensive tackle. Mick Williams may be the odd guy out because he’s better as a pass rusher than against the run.

- The Riders had three players named to the West Division all-star team. I figured Weston Dressler would get the nod and he did. I was surprised that Chris Getzlaf and Brendon LaBatte were named all-stars. Getzlaf had better statistics in 2011, but didn’t earn an all-star honour. Last year Getzlaf had 60 receptions for 1,071 yards and a team-leading 10 touchdowns. This year, he has 66 receptions for 864 yards and two touchdowns. LaBatte earned the West-Division honour after being an East Division all-star with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2009, 2010 and 2011. He was even a CFL all-star in 2011. LaBatte was somewhat surprised because he played only 13 ½ games this season. Here’s a link to the remainder of the league’s all-stars. The CFL dream team is to be announced after the Grey Cup game.

- That’s it for now. I have a main on running back Kory Sheets who appears to be the forgotten running back in the CFL with all of the accolades being directed at Jon Cornish and Andrew Harris. I’ll also have the Riders thoughts on the all-star selections. Not one member of the Riders’ second-ranked defence was named an all-star.

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