Protecting QB top priority for Green & White

Bridge set to start in game featuring teams coming off disastrous showings

REGINA The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes are both looking to get on the winning track when they meet Saturday at Mosaic Stadium.

Both teams are coming off blowout losses. On June 21, the Riders were beaten 40-17 by the Ottawa Redblacks, and the next night the Alouettes were thumped 56-10 by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Riders lost more than a game to the Redblacks. Starting quarterback Zach Collaros suffered a concussion and was placed on the six-game injured list.

Brandon Bridge is slated to make just his third CFL start because of Collaros’s head injury.

With the game looming, here are five things that the Riders need to do to beat the Alouettes:

BRIDGING THE GAP

Considering the struggles of Montreal’s defence through the first two games, the Alouettes might be the perfect team for Bridge to face.

Montreal doesn’t pressure the quarterback and has allowed a league-high 886 yards of net offence. The lack of pressure may mean Bridge can get comfortable in the pocket, make all of his reads and let his receivers do the work.

Bridge has to be aware that backup David Watford hasn’t appeared in a regular-season game. Therefore, Bridge might need to be cautious when he does run with the balland avoid any hits.

PROTECT THE PASSER

Collaros’ presence on the sixgame injured list is a result of poor blocking and the Riders’ offensive line’s inability to handle Ottawa’s pressure.

Bridge didn’t fare much better when he was at quarterback, as Ottawa was still able to pressure him.

Guard Brendon LaBatte talked about the line playing with a sense of urgency. That would definitely help — as would better pass protection, combined with upgraded run blocking.

GET CARTER THE BALL

Duron Carter saw repetitions on offence and defence during this week’s practices, which is a good use of the versatile performer.

As a defensive back, Carter can turn a bad pass into a touchdown. He did that against the Calgary Stampeders last season and in Week 2 against Ottawa.

Carter’s coverage skills are still developing and smart quarterbacks may find ways to take advantage of that.

However, he is among the league’s elite receivers and the Riders need him on offence. Saskatchewan has scored only two offensive touchdowns this season and that number could be boosted with Carter on offence.

PRESSURE THE QUARTERBACK

The foundation of Saskatchewan’s defence was expected to be its defensive line.

It looked that way in a seasonopening win over the Toronto Argonauts, against whom Charleston Hughes recorded three sacks. Willie Jefferson was also a force and the defensive tackles provided loads of pressure up the middle.

All of that disappeared against the Redblacks, as Trevor Harris had loads of time to throw to open receivers. Tailback William Powell also torched the Riders for 94 yards on 19 carries. He scored on a run and a reception.

The pass rush may get a boost with the recent signing of Mic’hael Brooks, a defensive tackle who spent the previous three seasons with the B.C. Lions. The Riders are looking for 20 plays on Saturday from the 2015 West Division all-star.

A consistent pass rush would surely throw off Montreal quarterback Drew Willy and reduce the amount of time the defensive backs need to cover receivers.

GRIND IT OUT

The Riders welcome back Marcus Thigpen, who missed the first two regular-season games while serving a CFL-imposed suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.

Thigpen is a dual threat as a runner and a receiver out of the backfield.

He might be best utilized carrying the ball because the Alouettes have allowed a league-high 362 rushing yards. That’s a result of the Alouettes trailing early and their opponents turning to running the ball when games are out of hand.

That means the Riders can turn Thigpen loose and build off his strong performance late in the 2017 season and playoffs.

Thigpen is backed up by Tre Mason and Jerome Messam, Mason has showed power and speed, whereas Messam is more of a power back.