‘BRIDGING’ THE OFFENCE
For the 2018 Saskatchewan Roughriders, the defence And special teams have Been good enough for A 2-2 record. What’s missing is the offence, which has generated only one TD per game heading into Thursday’s Contest Against the host Hamilton Tiger-cats. Murray Mccormick outlines what the team must do to improve its performance. 1 Let the QB carousel spin
Until Brandon Bridge proves he can handle the load from start to finish at quarterback, the Riders are left with no choice but to give rookie David Watford some playing time.
Bringing Bridge off the bench worked well in 2017, when he completed 10 touchdown passes. Watford needs time to develop before he can emulate what Bridge did last year.
The best way for Bridge to avoid being yanked is to trust his reads and run when needed. Until he does those things on a consistent basis, a rotation provides the Riders with their best chance of winning.
Bridge started only one game with the Roughriders last season, guiding the team to a 27-19 victory in Hamilton on Sept. 15.
He is starting this season because Zach Collaros, a former Tiger-cat, is on the six-game injured list with a concussion.
2 Two-way Carter
Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, has remained steadfast about Duron Carter lining up as a defensive back. That’s unlikely to change until Nick Marshall (finger) returns from the injured list.
However, the Riders still need Carter on offence, where they have struggled with what are essentially four possession receivers plus Naaman Roosevelt.
Carter doesn’t have the breakaway speed that the Riders need at receiver, but at six-foot-five he can win the battle for jump balls against smaller defensive backs.
Play Carter on defence, sure, but also find a way to incorporate him into an offence that clearly needs the spark he could provide.
3 Turn Thigpen loose
Marcus Thigpen’s 34-yard touchdown romp with 1:29 remaining in the Riders’ 18-13 win over the Tiger-cats on July 5 was impressive for many reasons.
Some key blocks created the opportunity for Thigpen to score what proved to be the winning touchdown. The play is a reminder of what Thigpen can do and what the Riders can gain from handing off to the speedy running back, who has been part of a platoon with Jerome Messam and Tre Mason.
More plays like the 34-yarder on Thursday would go a long way toward helping the Riders overcome the Tiger-cats.
Also keep in mind Thigpen’s 75-yard touchdown sprint in last year’s East Division semifinal against the Ottawa Redblacks. He rushed for 169 yards in 15 carries in the Roughriders’ 31-20 victory.
4 Status quo
Saskatchewan’s defence was spot-on versus the Tiger-cats, thanks to the different looks that Jones, who moonlights as defensive co-ordinator, threw at Hamilton. Jones blitzed 51 per cent of time and kept Tiger-cats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli from getting too comfortable.
Jones utilized a matchup defence with the Riders’ defensive backs lining up against specific receivers instead of at their regular positions.
The scheme created more favourable matchups for the defensive backs, especially with Carter on Terrence Toliver. Ed Gainey, a defensive halfback, spent most of the July 5 game covering the Tiger-cats’ dangerous Brandon Banks.
Each team has had the bye week to prepare for Thursday’s rematch. The fun part will be seeing what new wrinkles each team comes up with.
5 Where’s Tobi?
Tobi Antigha is a defensive end, but also lined up at cornerback and safety in Saskatchewan’s win over the Tiger-cats.
Antigha, a converted receiver, even intercepted Masoli while at safety when the Ticats’ quarterback lost track of him. It’s a mistake that Masoli is unlikely to make again.
The Tiger-cats will be more aware of Antigha’s position on the field Thursday. It shouldn’t stop Jones from continuing to take advantage of Antigha’s athleticism and football acumen to excel at multiple positions.