MULLINDER’S WEEK 3 PRIMER

Luc Mullinder

By: Luc Mullinder

So kudos to the Riders for emphatically underscoring the old athletic adage, “You play the way you practise” last week.  Everyone, ESPECIALLY me, thought that the Toronto game would have been far different, but that’s what you all love about the CFL.  Any given game day, one can get their asses handed to them if you don’t respect the process … Nobody’s good enough to just show up.

The Argos are old news now.  It’s buried.  Adjustments have been made, players held accountable, and the squad is well into the pursuit of going 1-0 against the British Columbia Lions.

Don’t be surprised if you see a few new faces getting an opportunity to contribute on Saturday when the Roughriders host the BC Lions (7:30 pm, TSN, CKRM Rider Radio Network).  It may be at the expense of a couple guys, but don’t fall into that, “THEY’RE SENDING A MESSAGE” crap.

This is a team, and a staff, that will pursue the 2014 championship relentlessly.  That learning curve I mentioned this team will going through; is going to feature many different looks and changes throughout the 18 week campaign.  There are no messages.  One of the things I really like about Brendan Taman and Cory Chamblin is that they don’t mince words.  If it’s not good enough, they’ll get it good, with or without you.  These guys don’t need to sit there tinkering with the roster in the hope that it sends subliminal hints.

Now, much has been made of the Lions going 0-2 to start out the year, but let’s not forget, their last championship was in 2011, and they started that year out going 2-6.  Point is that, both Wally Buono, Mike Benevides, and a handful of crucial veterans have been in situations that are a lot worse.  If anyone on Saturday’s playing roster thinks that these guys are lame ducks, then it’ll be another loooong day.

Let’s take a look at some guys and a couple of variable that could tip the scale in Saskatchewan’s favour.

Offense
Brendon Labbatte AND Dominic Picard:
• Big ‘Blue’ and Dom, have their work cut out for them on Saturday.  Eric Taylor, Khalif Mitchell, and Jabar Westerman, represent 900+ lbs of BC interior linemen and all can move surprisingly well for their size.  That being said, Taylor and Mitchell don’t necessarily rely on their athleticism to collapse the pocket.  They are very physical at the point of attack, and they work hard and fast to get their hands to the appropriate leverage points, in order to get the centre or guard going back on their heels. 

Those intangibles mixed with the ability to shift weight and shed any attempt to halt a bull rush make all three guys a tough assignment.  Communication is a must too.  The last thing you want is to have to deal with one of these guys catching you off guard at full speed during a stunt or twist.  Obviously there is a direct correlation to Doubles success and his Oline play. 

If Labatte and Picard play well on Saturday, things will be easier on our franchise QB.  Some might be wondering why I didn’t mention Chris Best as well.  He’ll obviously have to step up to, but the three DTs we’re talking about really play into Best’s comfort zones well.  Chris will sit there and maul with you all night if you let him.  He wants you to try and bull rush.  He’s well suited for the BC front 3s style of play and is also having a hell of a 2014 campaign.

Hugh Charles
• This will be quick, because it’s all you have been reading about.  Other than carrying the ball securely and having experience, the other intangible that #5 wields is the substantial burst that he brings after transitioning into a recognized hole or lane.  We spoke during training camp about the need for a back to show a burst, but none of them really separated themselves in that category.  Hugh brings a very noticeable change of pace when he’s healthy, and he’s excited about running behind a physical and technique sound Oline.

Special Teams
(Kick Off and Punt Cover and Long FG cover)
Thus far, there hasn’t been a glaring deficiency in any part of the Riders’ 2014 special teams units.  This is going to be a crucial test for our Punt Cover and Kick Off units.  Stefan Logan isn’t at the top of the list statistically in the early part of the year, but he is definitely the Lions’ biggest threat. 

“Joystick” has the ability to blow open a game and instantly provide momentum shifting field position at the drop of a dime.  On Kick Offs and Punts our guys are going to have to be disciplined in maintaining their attacking lanes.  Its hard for a special teams coordinator to scheme effective and original blocking ideas, but the last thing one can do is NOT have their head on a swivel.  At all times, Stefan Logan is a block away from a crippling return.

Paul Woldu:  Punt Cover
• Woldu is one of the best ‘gunners’ (The guy set to the outside of the punt formation responsible for keeping contain) in the game when healthy.  If our contain guys, namely Woldu, can consistently be within that 5 yard halo that is afforded all returners in the CFL, and keep Logan on his inside shoulder, it will severely decrease Joysticks options after the catch.  This will essentially force BC’s returner to the strength of the punt coverage.  Sometimes making ‘the play’ is more important than making ‘the tackle’.  #21 can play a huge role in taking Logan out of the game.

Airforce Field Goal: (Long FG protection and cover team)
• Whatever the Riders call this unit, and whoever is on it, needs to be on high alert.  There is no better opportunity for a playmaker like Logan to make an impact than after a missed long field goal.  Easiest way to avoid this obviously is for Chris Milo to make the kick.  The hardest thing about this unit, is that not only do our guys need to hold up and protect, but they also have to get off blocks and pursue down field not knowing right away if the FG is made or missed.  To make matters worse, the unit is comprised of big bodies with a couple Dlinemen or Linebackers thrown in for some speed. 

It’s a tough task that involves a lot of things most of these guys are unfamiliar with, like lane splits, running fast and angle tackling.  It is crucial that our big guys get down field during long kicks on Saturday.  We can’t end up on TSN here.

Defense
It’s definitely noteworthy that our Chick/Foley tandem needs to continue their strong play against BC’s newest Tackle T-Dre Player.  He’s gone up against some good talent thus far in the Lions schedule, but he hasn’t seen the endless motors that players like #97 and #95 have. 

Our DE’s also have different strengths, and when the new LT is simultaneously getting glimpses of both (in this case endless speed in Foley, and brute strength in John Chick) it may prove to be too much.  T-Dre Player is a really, REALLY, big guy, and relies on his girth to make up for the fact that he oesn’t move particularly well.  This probably has our athletes on the edge salivating while watching film.

BC’s Oline also played terribly against any type of Defensive Line game/stunt against Montreal, so we can anticipate Coach Hall opening up his playbook and letting our Line get loose and athletic.
Other than that, it’s really hard to single out any names on the defensive side of the ball.  This unit as a whole has the potential to really put up some gawdy turnover stats on Saturday.  The multiple looks in fronts and coverages, don’t bode well for Kevin Glenn, who panics quickly causing terrible decisions.

Don’t be surprised if you see the back up QB in quickly if Glenn comes out and hams it up.

The 2014 Defense definitely has a chance to be great, but as we all saw last week, talent doesn’t breed success.  This unit has to find consistency within the fundamentals.  If the call is putting a guy in the position to make the tackle, then that guy has to make that play.  If the play calls for certain switches or movements, then everybody has to be on the same page.  Even if the wrong call is made, if everyone is doing that wrong call, they have a chance. 

Alignment, Assignment, Execution…Sound like a broken record?  Good, it needs to be stressed.  Those three elements are probable more important to the Riders defensive staff than any trick play or offensive scheme that the BC Lions implement. 
It doesn’t matter what they do, they have to deal with what we do!

Saturday is a new opportunity.  The goal remains the same; win.  Win the day.  The only thing that matters is the feelings and emotions that exist within the confines of the locker room.  Everyone needs to be present in the now.  No looking ahead, no looking back.  Just focus.  Focus on the task at hand.

Hope this helps your discussions during tailgate activities.  Enjoy the weather, and see you at Mosaic.

Cups up to the boys going 1-0.

#properspective