WILL RIDERS UNLEASH PASS RUSH IN PLAYOFFS?
Jones expected to mix it up against Redblacks Sunday
The CFL playoffs are nigh and, presumably, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have expanded their game plan beyond the pamphlet-sized blueprint that seemingly applied last weekend.
It would be misleading to suggest the Roughriders’ defensive strategies were “vanilla” for the regular-season finale against Edmonton. After all, vanilla is highly palatable, whereas the Roughriders’ 28-13 loss on Nov. 4 hardly whetted the appetite for the post-season.
Roughriders head coach and general manager Chris Jones, who moonlights as the defensive co-ordinator, was passive against the Eskimos. Not once did Saskatchewan rush the passer with more than four men, according to information compiled and shared by TSN’s Derek Taylor. Jones sent three rushers 11 times and four rushers on 18 occasions.
This from a man who arrived in Saskatchewan with a reputation as someone who would blitz with everyone except the equipment manager — a notion he did little to dispel at the Roughriders’ 2016 annual general meeting.
“It’s not always going to be pretty,” Jones said then. “Sometimes we’re going to get beat over the top because I’m going to be in Cover Zero ... It has been 86 per cent successful over my career for a 3.3-yard average, so that’s why we run it.”
Unless they don’t. Taylor’s data reveals Saskatchewan sent more than four pass rushers only 16.5 per cent of the time this season — hardly indicative of a blitz-happy coach.
That is not intended as a criticism of Jones. His strategy, as much as it may be viewed as atypical, was a success.
The Roughriders allowed the second-fewest points in the league (430). Jones also guided Saskatchewan to its first playoff berth in three years — Sunday’s crossover date with the host Ottawa Redblacks.
At this time of year, coaches often like to unveil new wrinkles — the objective being to simultaneously put some wrinkles on the faces of rival strategists.
Redblacks quarterback Trevor Harris is about to make his postseason debut. Why wouldn’t Jones want to welcome him to the playoffs with an assortment of blitzes and looks?
At the same time, Jones must manage his team’s quarterback situation in sound fashion.
The Roughriders’ field boss has repeatedly declared Kevin Glenn is the starter. Nearly as frequently, Jones has replaced Glenn with the younger, more nimble Brandon Bridge, who is blessed with superior arm strength.
The onus is on Jones to create a comfortable situation for the Roughriders’ quarterback(s) while utterly confusing the opposing signal-caller.
If all goes according to script, the outcome will provide Riders fans with quite a rush.