Flyin’ Ryan breaks out for Roughriders
POST-MORTEM: Saskatchewan is 0-2 to start the 2015 CFL season, but there are bright spots in Regina
Two home-field losses by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
And to be fair, not everything is gloomy in Riderville, despite the team’s 0-2 start to the 2015 CFL season. Several aspects of the team are subject to criticism, but let’s begin with ...
Flyin’ Ryan: Second-year Riders receiver Ryan Smith made one of the greatest catches you will ever see, selling out and soaring to snare a 41-yarder from Kevin Glenn during Sunday’s 42-40 overtime loss to the Toronto Argonauts. As part of Smith’s eight-catch, 174-yard breakout game, he also had a 50-yarder to set up his team’s go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter and a 28-yard scoring grab in the waning seconds of the first half. Smith has played a role in four of the Roughriders’ eight offensive plays that have gained 28 yards or more this season.
D-ficiencies: There was every reason to expect the Roughriders to boast an aggressive, hyperactive and effective defence with head coach Corey Chamblin moonlighting as a de-facto co-ordinator. Yet, the Roughriders too often seem content to rush the passer with three or four people — without blitzing — and the results have been dismal. Although the Roughriders boast highly reputable personnel along the defensive line, the team has failed to exert consistent pressure. The defence buckled with the game on the line June 27 against Winnipeg and the Roughriders were comparably porous Sunday in the clutch.
Rushin’ roulette: The Roughriders were in a rush on their final possession of regulation time, even though it would have been to their advantage to allow precious seconds to expire. On first-and-goal from the sevenyard line, with the game tied at 21-21, Jerome Messam ran for six yards. The Roughriders then went into the hurry-up offence on second-and-goal from the one with 1:29 remaining. The ball was snapped shortly after time was whistled in. Toronto was then called for offside, giving Saskatchewan a first down, so perhaps the hurry-up offence created the confusion that resulted in a penalty. Even so, the Roughriders’ time management at that stage of the game was more indicative of a team that was trailing. Brett Smith ended up scoring on a one-yard quarterback sneak, which helped Saskatchewan assume a 28-21 lead with 1:17 remaining.
Toronto had just enough time to march 85 yards, the last 16 of which were gained by Chad Owens on a touchdown reception that led to overtime. Owens scored with 11 seconds remaining. If the Roughriders had not been in such a hurry late in the fourth quarter, would the Argos have had enough time to move the ball down the field? Doubtful.
Smith and Smith and Smith: Three different Smiths — Ryan, Brett and Taj — have reached the end zone for the Roughriders two games into the season. Another Smith — Roughriders director of player personnel Craig Smith — must be pleased.
Project 6,000: Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant had set his sights on a 6,000-yard passing season in 2015, only to suffer a ruptured left Achilles tendon in the Winnipeg game. Even so, the Roughriders are on target for well in excess of 6,000 aerial yards. They have 712 passing yards in regulation time after two games. That puts them on pace for 6,408 yards, even when Glenn’s 52 passing yards from Sunday’s overtime session are extracted from the equation.
Gunning it: Glenn passed for 477 yards on Sunday, when he went 33-for-40. Many of his completions were into tight windows, meaning that uncanny timing and accuracy were required. The veteran passer appears to be tailor-made for a Jacques Chapdelaine-designed offence, which emphasizes short passes and precision.
The Pick: The only notable blemish on Glenn’s record during the Toronto game was a 100-yard interception return by A.J. Jefferson. Glenn floated a pass toward the left sideline and Jefferson was delighted to help himself to the football. It didn’t help matters, mind you, that Taj Smith (the intended receiver) did not come back to the football, creating easy pickings for Jefferson.
Passing fancy: Opposing teams’ incompletions have been a novelty at this early juncture of the season. Drew Willy was 22-for-25 against Saskatchewan in Week 1. Trevor Harris was 30-for-38 on Sunday. Over two games, the opposition’s completion percentage is a stratospheric 82.5.