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Riders make some changes to Offence
Courtesy Regina Leader Post:
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have responded to a lack of production out of their wide receivers on the short side of the CFL field.
Import Gerran Walker is expected to start Saturday when the Roughriders play host to the Edmonton Eskimos at Mosaic Stadium. Walker takes over from import Chris Jones, who had four receptions for 22 yards in three starts.
“We would like to have our (short-side) receiver have more than four catches in three games,’’ Riders head coach Ken Miller said after Wednesday’s practice. “That is an area of concern and we’re making it a point of emphasis. That’s part of the reason for the personnel change.’’
Walker dressed for six games in 2008. He had 14 receptions for 242 yards, including a 57-yard catch against the Calgary Stampeders on Oct. 13. Miller said that Walker and Jones are similar in terms of speed, but Walker brings another aspect to the position.
“He’s a little bit quicker out of the break than Chris,’’ said Miller. “It’s really important for our quarterbacks to have confidence in our (short-side) receiver and that is an important aspect of wide-receiver play.’’
There has been little wide-receiver play this season for the 2-1 Riders. Canadian Rob Bagg leads Saskatchewan’s wide receivers with seven receptions for 60 yards. In Bagg’s defence, he plays on the wide side of the field, which is among the most difficult throws for quarterbacks to complete.
“If you look around the league, especially at the (wide-side) position, there aren’t a lot of yards,’’ said Bagg, who had 22 receptions for 371 yards in 2008. “It doesn’t speak for the talent that we have. Eventually a team will drop off one of us and we’ll have a big play. You want to have big numbers but you have to realistic about your position. I know that the yardage will come.’’
Offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice feels the Riders need to be on the field longer when they have the ball to increase the number of touches for all receivers.
“Two weeks ago, we had seven different receivers with at least two catches,’’ said LaPolice. “When that happens, you’re going to stay in rhythm. Last week, we had too many two-and-outs and kept turning over the ball and that means not everyone gets to touch the football. We preach that with every first down we create, is another touch for somebody else.’’
LaPolice said the Riders plan on running the ball more against the Eskimos because tailback Wes Cates is starting for the second time after missing the first two games of the season while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.
“A large of chunk of carries will be given to the running back,’’ said LaPolice. “Then a lot of receptions will go to Andy Fantuz and Weston Dressler, who the quarterbacks have a trust factor in. Once our quarterbacks trust those guys at wide receiver, the balls will be directed their way. That’s why (Calgary’s) Ken-yon Rambo and Henry Burris do so well. They have been together a long time and have a lot of trust in each other.’’
Walker has been working on establishing that trust with quarterback Darian Durant in practice this week. Walker also understands that the slotbacks with the Riders have earned the trust of the quarterbacks with their solid play.
“We have some of the best slots in the league here with Fantuz, Dressler, Jason Clermont and Chris Getzlaf,’’ said Walker. “That’s a pretty good lineup. When the ball comes out to the wide receiver, we just have to make the best of our opportunity.’’
