Riders’ offence builds on Eskimos’ playbook
Kendial Lawrence is dialed in on the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offence.
That’s because Lawrence is in his third CFL season in the current scheme, which is masterminded by offensive co-ordinator Stephen McAdoo. Lawrence was a member of the Edmonton Eskimos in 2014 and 2015, as was McAdoo.
The offensive philosophy was exported to Regina when the Riders hired former Eskimos head coach Chris Jones and the majority of Edmonton’s coaching staff during the off-season.
Jones, the Riders’ head coach, general manager and vice-president of football operations, added to the foundation of the offence by signing free agents like Lawrence, who was familiar with the Eskimos’ offensive scheme.
The free-agent signings have yet to pay off in wins. The Riders carry an 0-2 record into Saturday’s game (5 p.m., TSN, CKRM) against the visiting B.C. Lions. The offence has been effective despite the Riders’ issues with their short-yardage game. They have converted only two of six third-and-short situations.
Lawrence’s offensive contributions have been minimal, with only one reception for minus-two yards and three carries for nine yards. He has been a source for Riders quarterback Darian Durant for background information on the offensive scheme.
“We talk back and forth about different looks and different plays,’’ Lawrence said in advance of Saturday’s game against the Lions (2-1). “He may have a question about it and he will ask me how we did it in previous years and what can we get better at.’’
Durant said Friday that he has also talked to Eskimos quarterback Mike Reilly, receiver Adarius Bowman and Lawrence about the Riders’ offensive system.
“They definitely gave me good insight of what to expect and the rhythm of the game,’’ Durant said Friday. “I got a pretty heads-up beforehand.’’
The foundation of the Riders’ scheme was further enhanced with the additions of McAdoo and quarterbacks coach Jarious Jackson. McAdoo and Jackson spent the previous two seasons in those roles with the Eskimos.
“I’m fortunate to have McAdoo and Jackson in my corner because they have been in the system for a while and that makes it easier for me to execute,’’ Durant said.
In the offence’s simplest form, it’s about ball control and is based on McAdoo’s 13 years of CFL coaching experience. McAdoo’s offence is a blend of the other offensive philosophies that he has picked up through his stints with the Montreal Alouettes, Toronto Argonauts and Eskimos.
“There are different variables and variances that I’ve learned throughout the course of my time coaching football,’’ McAdoo said. “So everyone who has grown up in the system has their own stamp on it. Some of the things are similar, but there are some things that we do that are different.’’
Spreading the ball around to multiple receivers is another aspect of the offensive scheme.
Durant has completed passes to eight different receivers through the first two games of the season.
“It’s very important because defences can’t key in on a certain guy,’’ Durant told reporters. “They have to prepare for the whole field. It makes us less predictable. Whenever you can spread the ball out — and even your running back is getting touches — it makes it tough on defences.”
It’s the type of offence that puts team first ahead of individuals.
“In our system, we don’t talk about individual stats,’’ McAdoo said.
“Everything we do is for the team. If we’re out there doing the things we need to do for the team, the stats are going to come.’’
That includes Durant, who has surpassed 300 passing yards in each of the Riders’ two games this season.
“Those aren’t individual stats,’’ McAdoo said. “It’s what we called and what he has been told to do as far as making the 300-yard games.’’ NOTES: Riders centre Dan Clark is expected to miss Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury. Andrew Jones is to start in Clark’s absence ... The Riders released international running back Lache Seastrunk on Friday.