CONFIDENCE IN OFFENCE
Mcadoo says Riders will bounce back
Stephen Mcadoo is more concerned about what the Saskatchewan Roughriders can do than with what they aren’t doing.
That’s why the Riders’ offensive co-ordinator is confident that his players will bounce back from being shut out 31-0 by the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday.
“We know where we are and people on the outside looking in probably don’t,” Mcadoo said after Tuesday ’s practice. “They think from the outcome of things that we’re only as good as our last game. I know these guys on offence and I know they are going to respond.”
Points — particularly in the form of touchdowns — have been hard to come by this season for the Riders.
Saskatchewan is eighth in the CFL in offensive touchdowns, with 22, and has gone 145 minutes 30 seconds without reaching the end zone (one interception-return major excluded).
The Roughriders have been repeatedly bailed out by their defence and special teams. Those two units have combined for 13 of the team’s 35 overall touchdowns.
“Our job as an offence is to score points," Mcadoo said. “We want to score touchdowns when we get down there. If we have to kick a field goal, we’ll take it. Our deal is to score a touchdown. Each and every time we come out on a possession, we’re looking to get into the end zone.”
The Riders will need to generate some points with two games remaining in their regular season. They visit the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday before playing host to the B.C. Lions on Oct. 27.
The Riders and Stampeders have clinched playoff berths. If the Lions lose to or tie the Edmonton Eskimos on Friday and the Riders beat the Stampeders, Saskatchewan would play host to a home playoff game. For the latter to happen, it would seem that the Riders would need to generate offensive touchdowns.
Although that didn’t take place Saturday, Mcadoo studied the film to determine what contributed to the Riders being shut out on the road for the first time since Sept. 26, 2014, when they were blanked 24-0 in Edmonton.
“It’s a culmination of things,” Mcadoo said.
“They are a good defence and it’s part of our execution as well. It’s my job to put them in a position to be successful. We have to make sure that we’re hitting on all cylinders and I’m giving them the right plays to put themselves in position to score a touchdown.”
Saskatchewan’s offence and its play-calling have come under fire, but Mcadoo said that he blocks out the criticism from media and fans.
“The criticism is going to be there because that’s the fans’ job,” he said. “They are a part of this and they have a voice. Whether it affects us within these walls is a different story. You can’t be fazed by that because when you’re doing well, everyone will pat you on the back. When you’re not, they will curse you out.”
Injuries, meanwhile, are an ongoing concern for the Riders. Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, said guard Dariusz Bladek (knee) and defensive tackle Mic’hael Brooks (ankle) are out for the season. Bladek and Brooks were both injured Saturday.
Centre Dan Clark will also be sidelined for an extended period. He missed Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury.
Defensive back Matt Elam is doubtful for Saturday, while defensive tackle Zack Evans is expected to play. They were also injured against the Blue Bombers and did not practise Tuesday,
Jones said that slotback Naaman Roosevelt, who has been sidelined for three games with a knee injury, could return to the active roster for the playoffs.
We have to make sure that we’re hitting on all cylinders and I’m giving them the right plays to put themselves in positiontoscorea touchdown.
The Riders, meanwhile, announced the signing of offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley to their practice roster on Tuesday.
Shepley was chosen fifth overall in the 2018 CFL draft even though the UBC product had signed as an undrafted free-agent contract with the NFL’S New York Jets.
Shepley, 23, was released Aug. 31 after the Jets completed their preseason. He has continued to train and eventually decided to sign with the Riders. Whether Shepley is activated this season remains to be determined.