I have been asked point blank a few times this week about the ability of Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant.
Durant is once again the topic of conversation after the Roughriders offence was only able to score three points against the B.C. Lions, last week.
Texts, phone calls, tweets all coming in that the Riders quarterback is the problem with the team.
I’m honestly bewildered about how much blame gets put at the feet of the Roughriders quarterback.
So too is his offensive coordinator.
Bob Dyce was quite candid about how there is much more to an offence clicking than just the quarterback. When I sat down with Dyce one-on-one this week he placed his quarterback quite a way down the list in terms of who should be taking the heat this week.
Dyce was more than willing to take the blame for the offensive production (or lack thereof) against the B.C. Lions. The first time offensive coordinator conceded he needs to put Durant in a better situation.
The number one priority is protection. Too often, play calls are leaving Durant on an island and with an inexperienced offensive line in front of him, he’s left either running for his life, pressing a throw or on his butt quite frequently.
Two of the three interceptions against the Lions had someone all over Durant just as he was making his throw.
He’s also still looking for some help from his receivers. Balls that were being caught early in the season are no longer. Head Coach Corey Chamblin even went as far as saying the Roughriders are still at a stage where they need to simplify the playbook as rookie or new receivers to Saskatchewan learn the playbook and gel with their quarterback. That isn’t very conducive to a high-powered offence.
The other aspect of the offence that appears missing is Durant using his legs. He knows it, Dyce knows it, heck even reading stories out of Calgary before Saturday’s game, the opposition knows it. Number 4 needs to and likely will start taking the game in his own hands and stretching the defence with his legs.
When he runs, he’s at his best. All the numbers show that when Durant runs, the Riders succeed more often than not. Of course, you can’t just tell Durant to run, the lanes have to be there but getting those lanes open is something the offensive coaches should be working on.
He is rushing for an average of over nine yards per carry. The most out of any player who has had more than five rushes all season. He has 17 runs so far but two carries per game is not nearly enough.
Now, part of that is on Durant. Part of his interception to touchdown ratio being nearly even is on Durant. Part of the offenses three points in B.C. is on Durant.
He is not completely undeserving of any criticism. He continues to acknowledge that throughout the season.
Darian Durant has a lot of room to improve. He needs to be smarter with the football, he needs to take control a little more and run when there is space, the list goes on and Durant knows those things better than you or I.
And if (and I believe when) those improvements are made, fans will once again consider him an elite quarterback like they did when he carried the West Division trophy off the field in 2009 and 2010.
