Riders offence remains a conundrum

With three minutes left and the score 30-0 for B.C., I thought my column lead would be, “Leos 30, Saskatchewan 0 and the Riders were lucky to get nothing.” Then, with most of the Alpha Lions licking themselves on the sidelines, Canadian Brandon Bridge replaced Kevin Glenn at quarterback and engineered two straight touchdown drives.

The teams have a return engagement at Mosaic Stadium Sunday night. Who will start, the future hall of famer who just went by Ron Lancaster on the all-time passing list or will Brandon Bridge the gap between futility and success?

Ah, a quarterback controversy. In the ’50s it was Glen Dobbs versus Frank Tripuka, then Tripuka versus anyone. In the ’70s, many thought Larry Dick should start in place of Lancaster. Then it was Tom Burgess versus Kent Austin in the ’80s, followed by Nealon Greene and Henry Burris 14 years ago. Greene won, the Riders lost. The only coach to sidestep a quarterback controversy was Joe Faragalli in 1981 who decided to play both Joe Barnes and John Hufnagel. That successful duo was labelled J.J. Barnagle. Now debate is raging throughout Rider nation as to whom should get the nod Sunday.

Glenn has started each game this season, completing 162 of 229 passes for 1,784 yards, 11 touchdowns, six interceptions. Bridge is 8 of 10 for 124 yards and two majors. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds he’s a big man, but he has only one carry for three yards. Glenn has 12 carries for 42 yards. Both are as mobile as the statue of Louis Riel in Wascana Park.

Glenn is everyone’s favourite until he reverts to form with untimely turnovers. He’s over the hill, some say. Time to give the youngster a chance, claim others. What do we have to lose with a record of 2-4? Plenty.

Saskatchewan has yet to beat a Western opponent. Their two wins came at the expense of the Tiger-Cats and Argos, teams that would be in tough against the Sweet Sisters of Charity. After Sunday’s showdown, they get their second and last week off (terrible scheduling) before going to Edmonton and then playing the Bombers twice Labour Day week.

The Riders are fielding a relatively experienced roster. There are two rookies on defence, both on the left side, half Chris Lyles and linebacker Crezdon Butler. Cornerback Kacy Rodgers II and linebacker Samuel Equavoen on the right side are second year men. It doesn’t help that veteran Mike Edem is not producing at safety. The defence is the least talented in the West.

Offensively, the Riders should be doing better given their big, experienced O-line, a quarterback in his 17th year and one of the best receiving corps in the league. Their running game is anemic. Cameron Marshall had only 28 yards last Saturday. Although, Edmonton, Calgary and B.C. have better quarterbacks, Glenn has generally played well. His percentage completion rate is second best in the league behind Edmonton’s Mike Reilly. But the Riders are seventh in net offence. Something is wrong with the game plan. Their deep passing game is weak and the lack of a running game contributes to a high number of sacks allowed.

Bridge may have a cannon for an arm but in the three minutes he played, despite two touchdowns, he was running around and improvising much the same as Cody Fajardo did against Calgary last Thursday when he replaced Ricky Ray. Bridge certainly ignited the fan base last week but he has started only one game since joining Montreal in 2015, a loss.

You want your quarterback to execute a well-thought out game plan. Running around like a headless chicken may look exciting but it gets you nowhere. The Roughriders are now long shots to make the playoffs. This is no time for on the job training. If Glenn doesn’t start Sunday, Saskatchewan will have to pull off an incredible upset to win.

While the Riders were physically whipped by Calgary and B.C., their main problem is between the ears. They don’t play very smart at times.

Is there any hope for the home team? But of course. B.C. can be very inconsistent and it is very difficult to win both ends of a doubleheader.

Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 45 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.