The first game of the season was definitely a positive one for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who put a few of my worries to rest while beating one of the team's Western rivals. But while the 'Riders did what they needed to win on Friday, let's take a look at what the opener might say about the team's chances later on.
The main story in coverage of the B.C. game was the 'Riders' defence, and with good reason. So much for my theories that Omarr Morgan may have lost the quickness to disrupt an opponent's passing game or that Stevie Baggs might not hold his own on the end, as the two led a dominating performance featuring multiple interceptions and fumble recoveries to go with a jaw-dropping 9 quarterback sacks.
But there's one serious problem with trying to read too much into the 'Riders' defensive performance. By choice early in the game and out of necessity following Ian Smart's injury (leaving them only a banged-up Martell Mallett in his first CFL game at running back), the Lions effectively abandoned any attempt to run the ball - despite the fact that they were very successful when they tried, with their running backs averaging a combined 9.3 yards per carry.
Of course, the 'Riders could only defend against the offence facing them, and definitely rose to the challenge against the Lions. But Friday's game doesn't do anything to answer the questions surrounding the team's rush defence. And it stands to reason that the pass rush will have to be somewhat less aggressive when the 'Riders need to make adjustments in response to a team which sticks with the run.
Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan offence had serious turnover problems of its own throughout the game, leading to a bizarre disconnect where a team with 388 yards of offence didn't score a single touchdown on a series longer than 29 yards due primarily to turnovers at the end of what would have been long drives. But the good news is that there doesn't seem to be much about its performance that can't be repeated and improved as the season goes on.
In particular, while Darien Durant showed some inexperience in serving up three interceptions and two fumbles, he also managed to engineer plenty of impressive results - including five passing plays of 30+ yards to three different receivers. And while he'll need to work on ball control and consistency, those would figure to develop naturally as he gets more time at the controls. Though a healthier offensive line would certainly help, as the 'Riders finally seemed to hit their breaking point when Belton Johnson went down against B.C.
As for Durant's playmakers, running back Hugh Charles also showed his inexperience at times but had a few breakout plays of his own. And the receiving corps was stellar: while Weston Dressler was the obvious box-score standout, nearly every ball which was anything close to catchable seemed to find its way into the receiver's hands (which the 'Riders have seldom been able to take for granted in the past, and the Lions couldn't count on in this game). So while wasn't yet in top form, it gave every indication that it's capable of getting there as the season develops.
Finally, the special teams were largely nondescript aside from one blocked Jamie Boreham punt. Boreham and Luca Congi were otherwise solid, and while returner Eric Morris didn't manage to break any returns and may have trouble doing so as long as he relies on spin moves rather than being able to build up speed, he took good care of the ball and didn't do anything to hurt the team.
In sum, the 'Riders probably can't claim to have been fully tested on defence and aren't yet ready to get a top-of-the-class grade on offence. But in addition to gutting out a win, the team did show hints that it has room to improve as the season goes on - and particularly if the offence can move toward the upside it showed in the first game while cutting down on its giveaways, the 'Riders may well be on track to place near the top of the West.
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