MULLINDER’S WEEK 16 PRIMER – RIDERS AT ALOUETTES

By: Luc Mullinder

For the majority of this week the questions I’ve fielded regarding the 2014 Saskatchewan Roughriders have been centred on Kerry Joseph and whether or not it was a “good move” by the Riders front office…

My responses for the most part have been uniform, and I’ve likened Joseph’s return to that of a Q-Ray ION bracelet that you can score on the internet…

Those ION bracelets promise to increase one’s energy levels, help you focus, make you awesome, do the dishes (not really) etc etc.

Like many sKeptics, the question is “DO THEY WORK?”

The answer; who knows?  The one thing that we probably can say with a guarantee about the ION bracelet is that it DOESN’T HURT the buyer.

#WalletExcluded

That’s why I liken the Q-Ray to Kerry Joseph; good or bad move aside, who cares folks?  The one thing we DO know is that IT DOESN’T Hurt THE SQUAD.  #WelcomeBack

Personally, I think the world of KJ, love the guy.  He’s a huge reason why I have a Grey Cup ring in my safe, and he’s a great guy to be around on and off the field.

One thing I will caution against here Ridernation is that expectations amongst some of you seem to be a tad bit high.  We must understand that the 2007 Kerry Joseph profile that will endure the test of time in SK is not the same profile that we have now when it comes to the 41 year old.

Benefits? Absolutely.  Kerry’s a fantastic teammate.  The Riders now have two QBs that have started and won Grey Cup games in the locker room.  That is a wealth of knowledge that is unmatched around the league at this point.

If Cortez chooses to do so, KJ also brings the ability to change the game pace in certain short yardage possessions, be it on 2nd or 3rd downs, especially in the red zone.  Joseph’s running ability has always been his strong suit, and his CFL pedigree may change the way opponents look to scheme those situations versus he’s on the field versus the way teams may look at those same scenarios if Sunseri is under centre.

Drawbacks?  Absolutely.  During his career, KJ was never the most accurate Quarterback, and in an offense that isn’t comprised solely on short crossing routes and RB flares, Joseph won’t win the game for a team with the deep ball or on 10-15 yard digs or timing routes.

One may even question the validity of using Joseph in the situations he’s suited for.  After all, the Green and White are still in need of developing a solid number two behind Doubles, and taking Sunseri out every now and then (although potentially beneficial to the team) steals valuable reps from a QB that will be here after this season.

That’s the crazy thing about Kerry being back.  There are all sorts of pros and cons to the debate, and we truly won’t know what we have in the return of Joseph until we know what we have in the seemingly inconsistent Tino Sunseri.  At least we can say, it’s really nice to have a familiar face around these parts, and we know that #5’s signing DOESN’T HURT.  #QrayBracelet

As for the game itself, these two teams are almost mirror images of each other if you take the overall records out of the equation.  Both offenses have had a tough time lately manufacturing scoring consistency.  Each squad is using a back up QB that can be just as bad as they can be good.  And maybe more importantly, both teams will only go as far into the playoffs as their defenders will be able to take them.  With all things considered, the winner on the day where the CFL’s greatest QB is to be honoured; may be the team that creates more turnovers and scores points on defence.

On the Alouettes’ side, Noel Thorpe (MTLs Defensive Coordinator) has done a tremendous job of putting his impressive mix of veterans into playmaking positions and I’m sure that the Als will have a game plan that doesn’t allow Tino Sunseri to come in and started chucking balls downfield the way he did versus Calgary.  Many were impressed with the way Sunseri stepped in during last week’s loss, however, when given the whole week to prepare as the starter, Tino has left many more questions than one would have liked.

When the Riders look to establish a ground attack, the Als have a decent front 7 that does a good job of controlling their gaps and getting helmets on the football.  Another thing you’ll notice is the violence at which they will try and rip the ball out with.  This is a defence that knows that they need to contribute on the scoreboard in order to remain competitive and they have the athletes to do it.

When the Roughriders are on the defensive, it’s going to be interesting watching the battle between Chick and Foley versus Montreal’s tackles Josh Bourke and Jeff Perrett.  Montreal won championships off of their staunch belief in protecting the QB.  Bourke and Perrett have been exceptional throughout their tenures in La Belle Province, and love the chance to mix it up with the leagues upper tier.

Ridernation can anticipate the Alouettes centre Luc Brodeur-Jordain providing any type of help he can to whomever lines up on T. George.  I know that we all love us some John Chick in Riderville, but to be honest, #93 is the best pass rushing defensive lineman that the Riders have at this point in the season.  The Riders have to get some pressure on Jonathan Crompton.  He has exhibited a live arm; however he tends to throw into coverages at ill-advised times.

Last week against Ottawa, Crompton didn’t see nearly the type of pressure that Saskatchewan is capable of, and he still made some questionable throwing decisions.  DBs start salivating when they play QBs that may yield interceptions, and the wolf pack that features sure-handed players like Maze and Williams is probably chomping at the bit to take the field.

So Week 16 may not have the look and feel of a Denver Bronco game; however there are a ton of goodies that are in play on Monday.  Physical football enthusiasts are rejoicing in the return of Chris Best, and rightfully so.  Tackle Levy Adcock looks like he’s getting another start, and will look to continue to build on some really positive things that he’s been doing as of late.

Many that are close to the organization have the feeling that Chris Getzlaf is close to exploding onto the stat sheet as the season draws to a close, and it will be perfect timing if he does.  Getty has sacrificed a lot of statistical notoriety this year in exchange for locker room reverence that may be far more important anyway. As long as he is contributing to wins and playoff victories, #89 will unselfishly continue to do so and I hope the public is noticing his efforts at the line of scrimmage as much as the coaching staff has.

There you have it folks, nothing sexy about this contribution.  It follows along nicely with the way that Monday’s game has come about; kind of quietly (except for the Joseph hype) and not without a little angst.  In terms of positioning, the Riders need to steal a victory here in order to keep pace with an Edmonton team that is playing a fading Winnipeg squad.  If one can imagine the most difficult path through the playoffs, surely it would include finishing third in the division and having to go into hostile opponent venues with a blurry QB situation.

The games that are on the horizon for the Green and White are scary.  The one in front of the team is equally as daunting, Montreal is beginning to hit its stride, and the emotions will be at an all time high considering it is Anthony Calvillo day.  It’s still a winnable game; it just might not be a pretty one.   Here’s too hoping I’m wrong.  Defence…all eyes on you.

#ProPerspective