Riders’ new offensive boss no improvement on stats alone
Admittedly and incurably, I have a proclivity for putting the “numb” in “numbers.”
Such is the tendency of an inveterate numerical nerd, whose statistical breakdowns can have a somniferous effect upon the readership.
(Still there?)
(Smelling salts!)
Ahem ... in light of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ recent announcement regarding their offensive and defensive co-ordinators, it occurred to me that some comparisons might be moderately illuminating.
Jason Shivers, for example, took over as the defensive co-ordinator in January after Chris Jones bolted for the NFL’S Cleveland Browns. The numbers, as you will see, demonstrate that Shivers stacked up extremely well in comparison to Jones, who set the bar very high as one of the league’s elite defensive coaches.
And how about the change of offensive co-ordinators?
Jason Maas was signed to a two-year contract after head coach Craig Dickenson opted against bringing back Stephen Mcadoo, who resided in Riderville for four seasons. Over the same span, Maas was the Edmonton Eskimos’ head coach and play-caller.
So let’s begin with a comparison of the Roughriders’ and Eskimos’ offensive statistics from 2019 in the hope of better understanding the tendencies of, and any differences between, Mcadoo and Maas.
Red-zone efficiency: Saskatchewan and Edmonton both visited the red zone, which begins 20 yards from pay dirt, 54 times.
The Roughriders produced 31 touchdowns — four more than Edmonton — in those situations.
Offensive points scored: Mcadoo outscored Maas 440-398.
Offensive touchdowns: Mcadoo 44, Maas 37. Edmonton’s total was second-worst in the league.
Net offence: Maas wins, 6,707 yards to 6,536. Edmonton was second in the league, three spots ahead of Saskatchewan.
Second-down efficiency: Saskatchewan was second-best overall, moving the chains 50.3 per cent of the time. Edmonton was seventh (47.3 per cent).
Two-and-outs: Mcadoo’s offence had the fewest abbreviated possessions (76). Maas was sixth with 86.
Passing fancy: The Eskimos registered more passing yards (5,286-4,769) and threw the ball far more frequently (658 attempts, to Saskatchewan’s 534).
Run of success: Saskatchewan enjoyed a distinct advantage over Edmonton in rushing yardage (2,030-1,625) and rushing TDS (26-15). The Roughriders led the league in the latter category, tying a franchise single-season record that was set in 2003.
Major shortage: Both teams had unexceptional touchdown-pass totals (Edmonton 22, Saskatchewan 18) even though Saskatchewan boasted the CFL’S all-star quarterback (Cody Fajardo) and Edmonton’s Trevor Harris, when healthy, is one of the league’s better pivots. Although Fajardo started more games than Harris (16 to 13), the latter quarterback actually attempted five more passes (478-473).
Explosive plays: Although Mcadoo is reputed to be a conservative play-caller, whereas Maas is thought to be more aggressive through the air, the Roughriders and Eskimos both had 25 gains of 30-plus yards. They were tied for fourth. Conclusion: Regular-season data should not have impelled the Roughriders to move on from Mcadoo. So the tipping point had to be Saskatchewan’s touchdown-free performance in the West Division final, right?
Now, let’s turn to defence — an analysis that validates the Roughriders’ decision to award Shivers a two-year contract extension.
■ Shivers, as a first-year co-ordinator, orchestrated a scheme that held the opposition to 348 points — 48 fewer than Jones’ crew allowed in 2018.
■ The opposing offence’s touchdowns were reduced by seven, to 30, in Year 1 under Shivers.
■ Saskatchewan led the loop in opposing average net offence in 2018 (317.5 yards per game) and 2019 (294.4).
■ Nobody sacked the quarterback more often than did Saskatchewan in 2018 (45) and 2019 (56).
■ Jones did enjoy a distinct advantage in touchdowns scored on defence (10-4).
As in 10-4, over and out ...
The numbers ... demonstrate that Shivers stacked up extremely well (as defensive coordinator) in comparison to Jones, who set the bar very high.