MULLINDER’S RIDERS-LIONS PRIMER

By: Luc Mullinder

Ridernation, if you haven’t seen the movie “TROY” starring Brad Pitt (as Achilles) yet, stop reading this, go watch it, come back and continue below…

In  “TROY” (one of my favourite movies);  Patroclus, who up until this point has been trained with nothing but wooden swords, has been told, much to his chagrin, that he’s not ready, or able, to fight in REAL war, and is forbidden to go into battle against trained soldiers.

Instead, he gets ordered by his immortal cousin and legendary son of the Gods, ‘Achilles’, to stay and guard the ships during the confrontations with the Greek kingdom they are invading.

Unfortunately, guarding the ships and cheering on his comrades from his safe vantage point of camp, while drinking wine and eating chicken, is not something Patroclus is satisfied with … he should be doing more!

Patroclus decides one afternoon, during a disagreement with Achilles; he (Patroclus) has had enough of tending to his job as a facilitator, and foolishly lets his testosterone make a history-altering judgment.  He ends up donning Achilles’ battle armour and leads Achilles’ men into battle … what happens next is predictable.

Prince Hector, the leader of the impenetrable Greek army, quickly beheads the inexperienced (but brave) Patrolcus and it alters the course of the movie.

The scene is a sudden and alarming reminder, that those who are not soldiers should never let their competitive nature fool them into thinking that they are fit for a war.

Fast forward to Thursday, and it seems that we have another “Troy” movie playing out.  This time, BC Lions president, Dennis Skulski is cast as the character of Patrolcus.

Instead of being satisfied with observing his pride of Lions go into battle on Sunday from the cushy leather seats of the executive lounge, it seems as though Mr. Patroclus Skulski (who is an absolutely great guy) has convinced himself that he should be leading the charge, and participating in the war down on the field.

Why else would someone who doesn’t play the game guarantee a victory?!?  He must be the secret offensive weapon that the Lions have been waiting to role out!  Patroclus Skulski must have been training all season to run the slot routes vacated by Jason Clermont years ago! #TdDance

I mean come on! There’s no way someone who isn’t planning on suiting up would get on a radio show and say something dumb like that, unless he plans on helping out right???

He must be Jabari Westermans replacement!!!  We all know that Westerman has been in Buono’s dog house.  Maybe, that’s it … The Lions President has been biding his time to make an impact as a “national” defensive tackle!  #NoRatioProblems

There’s no way that a team’s president would want to cause a potential distraction, and make himself the target of ridicule on a Rob Ford scale, if he didn’t plan on participating in the actual competition right???

Has anyone ever seen a kick-slide out of Skulski?  Maybe he’s figured out John Chick after 8 weeks of film study.  Maybe he’s been consulting with former tackle Rob Murphy and knows something nobody else does.

Do we see Dennis Skulski at left tackle on Sunday??? #Blindside #BeatItMichealOrr

For the life of me, I don’t know what made the leader of the BC Lions corporate faction guarantee something like that.  I’m a marketer, so I get the obvious business perks etc. that come along with this, however, for someone who is used to sitting so high up, what Skulski did on Thursday was make a very tough game for his squad to win, even tougher.  It isn’t fair that he gets to sit up in the box, or stroll uninterrupted on the sidelines with no physical ramifications, especially when he is the one firing the shots!!!

This is a game that has HUGE ramifications in the Western standings, and is part of a very tough but IMPORTANT stretch, for the Riders in particular.  This is a game that both teams have been looking forward to all week.  There are so many great things going on for both organizations at this point, and Skulski created a story line that doesn’t need to be there, and shouldn’t exist under the circumstances.

TSN will obviously mention his statement, but hopefully “the guarantee” is treated as the pointless fodder that it is.  This game is too exciting and important to be showcasing a modern day Patroclus who isn’t prepared to put down his light wooden sword and pick up an iron forged blade created for mayhem.

With that being said, let’s get into the real gladiators that will run out onto the field of battle on Sunday…

As was the case last time these two teams played, the Riders, who are playing lights out on defence thus far need to ensure that field position isn’t dictated by special teams play.  Last week vs. Toronto, the Lions special teams return game was phenomenal, and the Lions offence, led by an efficient Kevin Glenn, benefitted from starting their offensive possessions deep in Argonaut territory a couple of times, which led to points.

The Lions are also pretty decent with their kicking game coverage teams with guys like Jason Arakgi leading the charge.  Hopefully the Green and White return game has a good day, because nothing would benefit the Riders offence more right now than starting a drive in BC territory.

Much has been made of the Saskatchewan defence, and rightfully so, however, the defenders that Doubles and his crew will compete against are playing just as well.  The attribute that really stands out watching the Lions defensive side, is how good they are at making individual open field tackles in space.  The BC linebacker core is one of the league’s best, and they are aggressive sideline to sideline players, but their secondary is capable of putting on absolute clinic film when it comes to tackling the ball carrier.

The BC defensive backs move quickly and efficiently to close any cushions they may afford wide receivers while they run their routes, and always they always tackle low in order to stop leg momentum.  Sometimes when WRs and RBs are aware of well coached tacklers, they tend to think about their first step with the ball, rather than focusing on securing it first.  This can lead to drops and miscues.  I’m not saying that the Riders are vulnerable to this point; however it is a note worth mentioning.

The Lions offence that we watch on Sunday is very opportunistic and has the potential to put points on the board.  One can see that Kevin Glenn is getting used to the players around him, and getting Andrew Harris back this week is a big plus for the whole unit.  The one knock against Kevin Glenn individually this year, and really throughout his career, is that he has the tendency to unravel when he begins getting hit, and sees a vast array of blitzes and pressures.  Glenn’s worst games this year have been against teams like Winnipeg (for example) when he has been hit or forced out of the pocket, and hasn’t been able to set his feet and go through a proper throwing motion.  The Riders pose a big threat with the looks and capabilities up front, and there may be some chances for INTs if the Lions QB gets rattled early.

In order to go 1-0 this week, obviously the Roughriders have to play well in all three phases of the game.  The plight for success will also be helped tremendously if a few guys in Green and White have a great individual game.

Xavier Fulton and Ben Heenan

In the first meeting between these two squads, we analyzed the Lions’ interior D-linemen.  This week, it’s the Rider Offensive Tackles that Ridernation will look too, in order to keep our Franchise QB off the mat.  As big a shadow as John Chick currently casts on the pass rushers in the CFL, this game features another DE that is having a helluva campaign.

Alex Bazzie #53 for the Lions is playing at an ELITE level right now.  Big X and Ben Heenan (who has quietly become one of the best pass protectors in the game) have their hands full.  Bazzie is fast and has a great get-off and first step.  If you are looking for a comparison Ridernation, he reminds me of Jerrell Freeman when he used to rush the passer in a Saskatchewan uniform.  He has the same size and quick skill set.

Sometimes in this league, when Coordinators (especially George Cortez) use a TE on the end of the line of scrimmage, it takes away from the aggressiveness of the defensive end that lines up over top of that set.  Sometimes defensive coaches will ask a defensive end who lines up on a TE to change their footwork, assignment, and technique.  For some players, this puts them in a position that essentially causes them to stall as pass rushers.

Bazzie is able to affect the play regardless of formation.  His aggressive motor gives him the ability to play against TE sets well.  He attacks through the inside shoulder of the added blocker, and manages to transition his eyes into the backfield quickly and look for the ball carrier.  He doesn’t waste time positioning himself against a TE, or trying to figure out the reason the TE is there in the first place.  This is why he is still able to create pressure if it is a passing scenario and the extra blocker is there for extra pass protection.

This is a Lions defence that’s loaded with talent, but if the Rider Tackles are able to harness the first wave of talent that starts with Bazzie, the Roughrider offence will be hopefully string some longer drives together, which in turn, builds confidence into a group that many still question unnecessarily. During away games, the early stages of the 1st and 3rd Quarters are especially crucial for opposing offenses.  Fulton and Heenan can really help the Riders here with solid play in a loud and hostile environment.

Tristan Jackson

If all goes well for the Riders on defence, against a QB that doesn’t like being uncomfortable in the pocket, not only will turnovers be available, but Saskatchewan may see its fair share of punts.
T-Jack is having a great year and his return ability has made the Riders relevant, when pundits speak of exceptional special teams play in the CFL.  Just as BC poses the threat to constantly affect the field position of a game, the same can be said of the Riders.  Jackson has the speed burst and vision that returners need to take advantage lane breakdowns and temporary openings created by good blocks from his teammates.

If the Riders are afforded the opportunity to start drives in BC territory, the beginning of each offensive possession goes from having a sense of urgency, to a sense of excitement.  Big games are affected by all three phases of football in some way, shape, or form whether you like it or not.  If T-Jack plays big on D, but gets a good look at some openings during the kicking game, he may prove to the most important guy on the field come when we review the tapes.  That’s how much the special teams phase means against the BC Lions.  The kicking game has the potential to make, or break the Riders.  Luckily, Tristan Jackson is a guy that any team would want in a situation like that.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders didn’t need another motivational push from Patroclus, in order to “get up” for this game, and neither did the BC Lions.  It really speaks to the talent of this Western division when two 5-3 teams are at the bottom of the ladder, however, if one really looks at it, the records for all the organizations in the West are closer than any of the respective teams would care to talk about.  A win here is huge for both teams.  The Lions and Riders are pretty evenly matched across the board, and when you’re privileged to be able to strap up during these types of games, players in the locker room spend all week visualizing successful plays and scenario’s that separate each other during the clash.

There is no motivation better than self-motivation.  And the 42 men who suit up on either side know what is at stake here and as you read this Ridernation, the men are going through their personal game day ritual that transitions MOTIVATION to ACTION.

Now that I’m happily on the other side of the locker room door, I understand why so many of my ex-teammates miss the game so much.  It’s this type of scenario that, from a competitive stand point, you wish you could be involved in somehow.  You want to feel the impact, and hear the sounds that only game day can provide.  You want to smell that anxious aroma of a stadium that anticipates the opening kick.  You’d give anything just for one chance to physically live the visions that you go through during the days leading up to the game.  You wish you could get in just one play!  Just one!

When you realize those feelings aren’t emotions that one will ever act on, it’s a let down; because whether you’re a fan, former player, or someone who’s just naturally competitive…you wish you could be involved battle like this.

That’s what made Patroclus run out onto the sand dunes in “Troy” to meet his fate.  That natural adrenaline that is produced when you are forced to watch what you yearn to be involved in.
It’s what made Dennis Skulski guarantee a victory that he can’t promise…

Sometimes the stage is too big and the moment is too exciting, to just sit there and guard the dam ships…

Cups up to the boys going 1-0 this week…

#ProPerspective