Ground game making gains
Average of five, six yards per carry on first down is coach’s goal
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive linemen enjoy a good run.
Tackles Derek Dennis and Thaddeus Coleman, guards Brendon LaBatte and Peter Dyakowski, and centre Dan Clark derived pleasure from tailback Cameron Marshall’s performance in Saturday’s 38-27 win over the visiting Toronto Argonauts. Marshall had 18 carries for 110 yards, both of which were CFL season highs for the Riders.
“Guys need that, especially with a veteran offensive line like us because we want to run the ball,’’ Coleman said. “We did a little bit of that in the past, but we did a lot of that in the last game.
“That’s what we need to build on because it keeps teams honest and they can’t just tee off and pass rush us the whole game. It’s a good offence builder and it worked out well for us.”
Saturday’s game marked the first time since July 5, 2015, that a Riders running back had surpassed 18 carries. Back then, Jerome Messam had 19 carries for 84 yards in a 42-40 loss to the visiting Argonauts. The last Riders tailback to rush for more than 100 yards was Joe McKnight, who had 150 yards on 17 carries in a 29-11 victory over the host Argonauts on Oct. 15, 2016.
Coleman said things don’t get any better for offensive linemen than when they’re moving the ball effectively on the ground.
“We have a pretty nice-sized offensive line and a lot of defences don’t like that,’’ Coleman said. “This is a passing league, but when we can run the ball like that and be successful like that it puts a lot of pressure on the defence.’’
Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, would like to average five to six yards per carry on first down because of the options it creates on second down. The Riders averaged 6.1 yards per carry against the Argonauts and are averaging 5.1 yards on the ground through the first five games of the season.
“Our goal is to always try to get six yards,’’ Coleman said. “If you get five or six yards on a running play, it changes the whole pass-play selection for second down. You can pass it or you can run it, use play action, or even go deep to keep the defence honest. That’s what you want to do on second down and that’s why you want to have to win on first downs.’’
It helps having a veteran back like Marshall. At 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, he has the power to run over defenders and through arm tackles. He also has the speed and elusiveness to break a long run after bursting through a hole.
“He’s not a little back,’’ Coleman said. “He doesn’t have the height, but he’s very stocky. He’s powerful and you have to see that guy in the weight room. He lifts with the offensive line, so that’s powerful, and he’s no little guy.’’
Marshall has made an impact as the Riders’ starting tailback. Heading into Saturday’s game against the host B.C. Lions, Marshall was third in the CFL in total rushing yards (316) and average yards per carry (5.5), and fourth in total carries (57).
“I’m not really into looking at the stats like that,’’ Marshall said. “If I could get to five yards a carry, that would be great for every carry. I know first downs are big in this league, given that there are really only two downs before you have to go for it on third and short. If we can get those five yards on first down, it makes everything easier.’’
The Riders are heading into a tough stretch of the schedule, with five consecutive games against West Division opponents. They play the Lions in Vancouver on Sunday and again at Mosaic Stadium on Aug. 14. After a bye week, the Roughriders are to play the Edmonton Eskimos (Aug. 25 at Commonwealth Stadium) before a home-and-home set against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Sept. 3 at Mosaic Stadium; Sept. 9 at Investors Group Field).
The establishment of a ground attack would give the Riders a more balanced attack during the crucial stretch of games.
“The run game is important because it makes everything flow easier if you can run the ball,’’ Marshall said. “It also makes passing the ball a little easier too.’’
The run game is important because it makes everything flow easier if you can run the ball. It also makes passing the ball a little easier, too.