Getting the running attack on track
STEP FORWARD: First scoring drive against Edmonton showed what could be for Lions if Harris is healthy
Look at the stats from Saturday’s 29-23 loss in Edmonton to an Eskimos team boasting the stingiest defence in the CFL and it’s easy to scoff at any notion the B.C. Lions have rediscovered a semblance of their run game.
Yes, 17 carries for 37 yards are numbers that shout an absolute lack of offensive balance.
Yet as the 4-8 Lions returned to the practice field Tuesday in advance of their first home game in three weeks Saturday (4 p.m.) against the 2-11 Saskatchewan Roughriders, the man best able to tilt that balance to more of an even keel has declared himself fit enough and ready to keep moving forward.
“It was a little uncomfortable, but I was able to practise today and it felt OK,” said Lions running back Andrew Harris, three days after being helped off the field late in the first quarter Saturday with what was diagnosed as a rib cartilage injury.
“It’s one of those things where we have six weeks (of regular season) left. You have to tough it out and grin and bear the last little bits of bumps and bruises.”
All that said, the offence under rookie quarterback Jonathon Jennings, effective for the first three quarters Saturday, was never more efficient than on B.C.’s first scoring drive of the game. The reason? Jennings’ ability to operate the zone-read game in conjunction with Harris’ ability to churn for hard, effective yards.
B.C.’s seven-play, 87-yard drive was capped by Jennings’ 25-yard TD pass to Lavelle Hawkins.
Harris was forced from the game on the next series. Yet it was a promising indication the Leos have discovered a backfield mix at the skill positions worthy of further examination.
On first down, it was Harris to the right for eight yards. On second, Harris to the left for another 14.
Suddenly, balance was restored. With the run-pass threat finally working to his team’s favour, Jennings showed the poise Lions head coach Jeff Tedford had talked about, first throwing 21 yards to a wideopen Manny Arceneaux and then 25 yards into the end zone into single coverage to Hawkins.
“You like to stay balanced so your run game can do those types of things, so you don’t have to be one dimensional,” said Tedford.
From the Lions’ perspective, it was a shame the experiment couldn’t continue the rest of the game.
“It felt good,” said Harris, who a couple of weeks prior was so frustrated with the team’s lack of a rushing attack he bolted past reporters after a 31-18 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks at B.C. Place Stadium.
“I felt that we were getting into a groove and rhythm, so it was unfortunate that I got hurt. But it was definitely inspiring to have those two big runs, to get some gaps and get rejuvenated again. Now we want to do the same. Stay healthy and get that running game consistent for 60 minutes.”
Regular starting quarterback Travis Lulay was throwing in practice Tuesday, but Tedford said Jennings will start against Saskatchewan.
Harris said the early success on the ground Saturday is a template to build on.
“With Jon being so athletic, it’s definitely going to the zone read,” Harris said of Jennings’ ability to assess his options at the line of scrimmage and find space.
“It’s definitely a big threat for us. That’s not to say that Travis or (John) Beck weren’t athletic. Not at all. But Jon can be a threat as a running quarterback and we have to utilize that more.” The proof will come Saturday. The Lions are desperately fighting for their playoff lives.
Thus Harris’ ability to play through pain, on top of the nasty cold he’s trying to shake, is key to snapping the team’s three-game losing skid.
“He practised today and he looked good,” Tedford said of Harris’s work Tuesday. “You’ve got to tip your hat to him because that is a painful injury any time it’s the cartilage in your ribs. But he seems to have recovered pretty well.”
Added Harris: “Breathing was tough and every time I cough it’s painful. But you’ve just got to grind it out.”