Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant makes a pass against the Calgary Stampeders during the first half of their CFL football game in Calgary on July 24, 2010.
Photograph by: Jack Cusano, Reuters
REGINA — Head coach Ken Miller expressed concerns earlier this month that someone in the community was attempting to pass himself off as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The ranks of the imposters swelled exponentially on Saturday night, when the Roughriders lost 40-20 to the host Calgary Stampeders.
The ranks of the imposters swelled exponentially on Saturday night, when the Roughriders lost 40-20 to the host Calgary Stampeders.
Who were those guys in green and white?
The Roughriders' offence — the most explosive in the CFL three weeks into the 2010 season — was erratic in the opening 30 minutes and invisible when it mattered in the second half.
After keeping the visitors in the game in the first half, the Saskatchewan defence had more holes than Lindsay Lohan's alibis.
After keeping the visitors in the game in the first half, the Saskatchewan defence had more holes than Lindsay Lohan's alibis.
And the special teams continue to be a liability.
Miller keeps emphasizing the need for consistency, but Saturday's uniformly inept performance is not what he had in mind — especially in light of the circumstances.
Given a delicious opportunity to remain undefeated and establish some breathing room atop the West Division, the Roughriders instead imploded and extended a life preserver to a Calgary team that appeared to be unravelling.
Henry Burris, who had served up four interceptions in his previous game, was twice picked off in the end zone by Saskatchewan safety James Patrick during Saturday's second quarter. One of the thefts resulted from an aimless pass route by wide receiver Romby Bryant, who was deservedly berated on the sideline by Stampeders head coach John Hufnagel.
Although the Roughriders had struggled in the game's early stages, they appeared to be regrouping at the same time that Calgary was self-immolating.
Uh, you know the rest ...
There was a drastic, irreversible shift in momentum after a forehead-slapper of a call by the Roughriders early in the second half.
The third quarter began auspiciously for Saskatchewan — albeit for only a handful of seconds.
After the Roughriders fielded the opening kickoff, Darian Durant handed off to Wes Cates on first-and-10. Cates gained 9 1/2 yards. So far, so good.
After the Roughriders fielded the opening kickoff, Darian Durant handed off to Wes Cates on first-and-10. Cates gained 9 1/2 yards. So far, so good.
At that point, a first down should have been automatic, but the Roughriders outsmarted themselves (instead of the Stampeders). The Roughriders opted to hand off to Cates out of shotgun formation. He was trapped in the backfield for a loss of three, with the result being an unnecessary punt.
Memo to the Riders' coaches: If you are going to run on second-and-short, call for a quarterback sneak to guard against a loss. Why make this more difficult than it needs to be?
The Roughriders paid dearly for a grievous gaffe. On the second play of the next drive, Burris threw a 67-yard touchdown bomb to Bryant. The Stampeders receiver, like his team, was off to the races.
The Roughriders paid dearly for a grievous gaffe. On the second play of the next drive, Burris threw a 67-yard touchdown bomb to Bryant. The Stampeders receiver, like his team, was off to the races.
Burris ended up with four touchdown passes — including two to Bryant. Durant, by contrast, did not perform at his accustomed level (as evidenced by three interceptions that ran his season total to four). It did not help that Calgary applied consistent pressure and forced Durant to hurry several of his throws.
Durant still amassed 354 passing yards, but that total should have been lower. It would have been advisable to remove Durant from the game once it was out of hand, considering the risk of injury. Points for and against are unlikely to be a factor in the season series, being that it consists of three games.
There was little reason to keep Durant in the game after Miller opted to attempt a field goal on third-and-two in the fourth quarter. Luca Congi ended up missing from 46 yards away with 6:56 left, at which point Saskatchewan trailed 33-11. Hindsight is 20-20, but the Roughriders should have gambled at that point. Failing that, it was time to deploy backup quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie.
Another problem was the defence, or lack thereof. The Saskatchewan defence specializes in disrupting the opposition but, on Saturday, it was the Roughriders who looked confused as Calgary started piling up the points. Missed tackles, including matador defence by Omarr Morgan and Tad Kornegay on Bryant's second touchdown, were also costly.
Calgary appears to have exposed the vulnerability in the Roughriders' defence. The pressure Saskatchewan thrives on exerting can be counteracted by an effective running game and a ball-control passing attack. For the most part, the Stampeders were able to avoid second-and-long predicaments, thereby creating a long night for the Roughriders.
Even so, Saskatchewan was able to emerge with a share of first place. The Roughriders and Stampeders are deadlocked with 3-1-0 records. But after an exasperating night like Saturday, you can understand why many Roughriders fans are fit to be tied.
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