PAUL LAPOLICE ON THE OFFENSE

By Rob Vanstone, Leader-PostOctober 5, 2009Be the first to post a comment



REGINA — Fans and reporters who follow the Saskatchewan Roughriders are busy dissecting the offence, as is inevitable when the CFL team struggles to move the football.
Given the situation, offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice was asked to discuss various strategic issues following Tuesday’s practice — the Roughriders’ first workout since Friday’s 19-16 loss to the host B.C. Lions.

LaPolice made it clear that perception does not equate to reality in some instances. For example, he disputed a reporter’s contention that Friday’s running plays tended to be up the middle and were lacking in diversity.

“We’ve got to be better on the run game — absolutely — but I do think that there was a variety in what we’re doing,’’ he said. “Our execution wasn’t great. The thing we’ve got to do as coaches is make sure we put those players in a position to be successful. They didn’t execute well and we didn’t put them in a position to be successful. We’ve got to find a better way to make sure that we’re successful during the game.’’

LaPolice was also asked about possibly incorporating some quick slant-in or “hot’’ patterns into the repertoire. He countered by stating that the Roughriders did call for some quicker timing patterns to neutralize the pass rush faced by quarterback Darian Durant.

“I feel we did all those things,’’ said LaPolice, citing significant gains on short passes to Gerran Walker, Weston Dressler and Chris Getzlaf. “You can check the film. We can give you a film to look at those. Our game plan was ‘they have a good pass rush’ and we moved the launch point and all those things.’’

Few passes are being launched in the direction of Regina-born slotback Jason Clermont, who was signed amid much fanfare in December after being released by the Lions. Clermont, a three-time 1,000-yard receiver with the Lions, has 17 catches for 215 yards in 11 games. He was a healthy scratch for two other contests.

“Right now, Chris Getzlaf is playing very well for us, so he has been getting the reps at that spot,’’ LaPolice said. “He has performed when he’s been in, so we can only have five starters right now on the field.

“I’d like to rotate (Clermont) in a little bit more. I probably should have tried to get him in the game last week, but as we weren’t getting a lot of plays, I didn’t do much of a rotation. (Tailback) Stu Foord didn’t get in. (Clermont) should still get some opportunities throughout the year, but right now Chris Getzlaf is playing well.’’

Any discussion about the offence is bound to include the quarterbacking. Although Darian Durant has steadily progressed in his first full season as the starter, he struggled in Friday’s game — to the point where head coach Ken Miller contemplated making a change and inserting Steven Jyles.

The Roughriders did not score a touchdown until 2:23 remained, when Durant found Andy Fantuz for a 24-yard major to complete a four-play, 85-yard march. Durant then connected with Walker for a two-point conversion to create a 16-16 tie.

However, the Roughriders had only six first downs to show for their previous seven possessions.
“Certainly, if a guy is struggling, you can possibly put the other guy in and give another guy a chance, but I thought Darian responded well that last drive,’’ LaPolice said. “That’s the positive I told our players (on Tuesday). We put ourselves in a position to tie the game. We’re really disappointed that we didn’t have more points on the board at that time, but we’ll move on.’’

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com