ON THE ROAD TOWARD CFL RESPECTABILITY
Green and White looks to change fortune away from home, writes Murray McCormick.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ road show has been a horror show.
The Riders are winless in 15 road games against CFL West Division foes since beating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 30-24 on Sept. 7, 2014. The Green and White has also been outscored 479-249 over those 15 games, including one playoff contest.
Despite those statistics, it’s not all doom and gloom heading into Friday’s game at Commonwealth Stadium against the Edmonton Eskimos — who have a leaguebest 7-1 record.
The Riders’ confidence has been boosted by a 41-8 win over the B.C. Lions on Aug. 13, which was a rare win over a West Division team at home or away. The Riders have a 4-26 record against the West since mid-September 2014.
Now the Riders (3-4) need to up their game in Edmonton, where they are 0-5 and have been outscored 144-76 over a span of five consecutive defeats. With all that in mind, here are five things that the Riders need to do to end their woes on the road against West Division teams.
PROTECT KEVIN GLENN
In both of the Riders’ road losses to West Division teams this season, Riders quarterback Kevin Glenn was constantly under pressure. He was sacked five times by the Stampeders and twice by the Lions.
The Eskimos pose a daunting challenge along the defensive line with the recent addition of defensive end John Chick via a trade with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. It hasn’t been Chick’s best season, but he is sure to be inspired playing against one of his former teams.
Fellow defensive end Odell Willis is tied for second in the CFL with six sacks and tied for the league lead with 18 quarterback pressures. The pressure will be on tackles Thaddeus Coleman and Bruce Campbell to keep Willis and Chick from getting their hands on Glenn.
TAKE THE BALL
The Riders responded to their slow starts by electing to go on offence on their first series against the Lions on Aug. 13.
Traditionally, head coach and general manager Chris Jones likes his defence on the field to open a game. That strategy has backfired on the road this season, where the Riders trailed 17-0 after the first half in a 27-10 loss to the Calgary Stampeders and 18-0 against B.C. in a 30-15 defeat.
In the Aug. 13 rematch with the Lions, the Riders went on offence first and scored two first-quarter touchdowns en route to leading 15-0 after 15 minutes and 29-0 at halftime.
Having more offensive possessions early can only lead to more scoring on the road. So if the Riders win the coin toss, they should elect to receive the kickoff.
PRESSURE REILLY
Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly is enjoying a most outstanding player-type season and doesn’t appear to have many holes in his game.
The Riders enjoyed success against the Lions due to the pressure from the defensive line. More of the same will be required on Friday. Jones, who is the Riders’ defensive co-ordinator, needs to keep up that pressure as well by calling for blitzes.
B.C. turned over the ball seven times during a game in which the Roughriders exerted consistent pressure.
A similar performance would go a long way toward helping the Roughriders upset the Eskimos.
LET IT BE
Jones often talks about continuity, but continues to make changes to the roster.
This time, Jones should let the roster be and go with the same 44 players who lined up versus the Lions.
Some of Friday’s moves are dictated by injuries, but that comes with the sport.
Jones should leave his key starters in the same positions where they produced one of the Riders’ most complete games in recent memory.
The rebuilt offensive line played well and can only get better with more time on the field. The same goes for the defence, which also deserves a second consecutive game together.
FIELD POSITION
Christion Jones’ production as a returner means the Riders can be cautious in activating veteran Chad Owens, who is battling a lingering foot injury.
Jones is averaging 25.5 yards on kickoff returns and 20.6 yards on punt returns in just two games. He was very effective on Aug. 13 with seven punt returns for 139 yards, including four of 20 yards or more.
The Riders’ average starting point on offence was the 40-yard line, thanks in part to Jones’ efforts.
Now, can he do it again? And can the same be said of his team?