Rod Pedersen
CFL.ca
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ 42-28 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos in Week 1 has provided many more questions than answers.
For one, is this a sign of things to come? Or was it just one of those days where the Eskimos caught the Riders with their pants down and simply a lesson learned?
The Roughriders were completely dominated on the line of scrimmage on both offence and defence and were manhandled on special teams. Coach Greg Marshall was heard yelling “help somebody out by making a block!” after one miserable punt return attempt in the second half.
Quarterback Darian Durant was responsible for all four turnovers including three interceptions and an unforced fumble which TSN analyst Chris Schultz described as “unforgivable”.
Across the field, Eskimos quarterback Ricky Ray tossed three touchdowns for the first time since 2009. Moreover, the Marcus Crandell-led offence didn’t give up any turnovers throughout the game.
“A shocking outcome,” stated former Rider-turned-analyst Scott Schultz on CKRM radio. “First you have to give credit to Edmonton’s offensive line because they won the battle. Heck they were almost all rookies! The Riders need way more pressure from the ends. Let’s face it, there’s a new coordinator in Richie Hall and maybe it’s going to take more time to get accustomed.”
The fans seem split 50/50 on whether the alarm bell is ringing or if the weak performance was just a blip on the screen. Schultz prefers the latter.
“I think it was just one of those days, I really do,” Schultz said. “You have to evaluate week in and week out and I’ve talked to the players after watching the film. (Offensive guard) Gene Makowsky admitted they’ve just got to be better. The powers-that-be are seeing who can play and who can’t. DB John Eubanks played his first game as a Rider and chalk it up to a horrible day. He had three touches on him. That’s not good.”
Understandably Rider fans are seething over the lackluster performance in the season opener. They can’t figure out how their team wasn’t ready to play and have accused the Riders of taking Edmonton for granted.
“I guarantee you that never happens,” Schultz scoffed. “These games mean way too much to the coaches and to the players for them to think it’s a gimme.”
Rider head coach Greg Marshall admitted to being concerned about the team’s growing number of injuries so early in the season, a problem which isn’t getting any better.
Seven regular starters are on the injured list and it’s growing by the day. The team’s starting defence was missing four regulars from what it boasted early in camp (DE Brent Hawkins, LB Jerrell Freeman, DB Tad Kornegay and DB Chris McKenzie).
The problem for the Roughriders is the season won’t take a break for these players to get healthy.
Buckle up because this could get bumpy.
