Getting to Collaros key
Stampeders look to make life miserable for Riders’ quarterback, writes Danny Austin.
Nobody on the Calgary Stampeders defensive line is expecting life to be easy against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
A week ago, in the Riders’ 31-0 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the crew from Regina allowed four sacks and QB Zach Collaros was under constant pressure in the first half.
The Riders O -line is beat up, but the Stamps aren’t buying into the idea that will make for an easy night Saturday at McMahon Stadium (5 p.m.).
“You know, it always rolls different for us for some reason,” said Stamps defensive end Cordarro Law. “I don’t know what it is, but they definitely got after them in Winnipeg. It’s a totally different week, though, different game, so we’ve gotta go out and get after him.
“That’s the key to victory, get after the quarterback.”
The Riders have allowed the least sacks of any team in the CFL, so it’s understandable if the Stamps aren’t taking it for granted that they’ll be able to blow past the linemen and make it a tough night for Collaros.
The last time the two teams played was in August, and the Stamps didn’t record a single sack in that game. Admittedly, the Riders’ current offensive line features only two starters in the same position.
In Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson’s mind, it’s probably best not to put too much stock in what happened that game.
“We’ve played Sask. three times this year if you count preseason, and it’s been different games every time,” Dickenson said. “When we do well is when we pressure the quarterback and get him off his spots and hopefully force him into some bad decisions.”
That seems to be the consensus around McMahon Stadium, and the Stamps are certainly capable of making life tough on Collaros.
“We know it’s going to come down to what we do more than what they do,” said Stamps defensive end Ja’Gared Davis. “I know they had a down game last week, but that doesn’t define the type of team they are. We know (Riders head coach Chris Jones) is going to have them firing on all cylinders.”
ONE MORE WEEK
The Stampeders decided to give Bakari Grant another week.
The receiver was only signed by the Stampeders a couple days ago, but because he’d spent a previous stint in Calgary in 2016 it was possible he might have cracked the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Riders.
Ultimately, Dickenson decided to leave Grant out of the lineup.
“I just don’t feel like, if you haven’t played football in four months, basically, it’s hard,” Dickenson said. “If we needed him, he probably could have played. He’s a sharp guy, he gets the offence, but we would like to at least give him a chance when he’s out there to feel like he’s got his wind.”
With Grant not being made available, the Stamps will roll with the same group that played last weekend against the B.C. Lions. They’re hoping a full week of practice will have helped the group gain a little more chemistry and understanding with Bo Levi Mitchell.
“We’re just going to put the best roster we can together,” Dickenson said. “We at least feel like we have some depth at receiver.”
SWITCHING IT UP
All week, it was pretty clear at practice that the Stampeders were going to be giving Nila Kasitati a shot at right tackle after a tough game for Randy Richards last week against the B.C. Lions.
There were no surprises, as Kasitati was listed as the starter on the team’s depth chart.
The Stamps also opted to move Spencer Wilson, who has done just about everything on the offensive line this year, to the one-game injured list, while Richards was named as Kasitati’s backup.
A few hours later, they reversed course after Wilson got good news from a late-morning MRI. He was back on the active roster, while Richards was removed.
“(Richards is) disappointed, but certainly wouldn’t expect anything less,” Dickenson said. “Just keep working hard, I’m not going to say it’s going to be (this) way the whole year, but a combination of who we want to go with at this time and (letting) the guys kind of decide who does and who doesn’t.”
While Kasitati has generally been described as a centre for the Stampeders, the coaches believe he’s more than capable of stopping the Riders’ pass-rushers on the edge.
If needed, Wilson can definitely do the job as well.
“We’re still battling a little bit on that tackle position,” Dickenson said.
“We’ll see who is there, but we do think Nila has that versatility and gives us centre backup, as well.”