Another week and another down to the final half minute and another Rider victory.
On Facebook I saw Tisdale auctioneer Bruce Schapansky posted a photo of himself sitting in an armchair with a defibrillator at his side. I commented that Saskatchewan needs a million defibrillators.
With the win on Oct. 30 the Riders are in the playoffs. I never take reaching the playoffs lightly. The Riders missed the playoffs for the first 10 years (1978-87) that I covered the team.
Saturday night was another bruising defensive contest with every point hard earned. For those concerned over the Rider offence I note the Riders have played in their last four games (three against Calgary and one versus Montreal) two of the top four defences in the CFL (Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Montreal and Calgary). All of those defences are hard to score upon.
Still everyone, starting with Cody Fajardo, recognizes the Riders did not get off to a good start against the Alouettes. They have had numerous slow starts this season.
Fajardo said the Riders came out flat offensively. He said he felt out of rhythm early in the game. He has spoken after earlier games of a comparable feeling. After the Labour Day Classic he said he felt out of sync. Following the first loss in Calgary he spoke of frustration with receivers (remarks he swiftly backtracked from).
On Saturday night he said he is still getting timing down with Duke Williams and Shaq Evans. He spoke of missing Shaq with passes. Fajardo had Evans racing uncovered down the sidelines for a certain touchdown when he threw the ball out of bounds. He spoke of throwing up a pair for Williams that were incomplete. He said they are getting closer and closer. Fajardo said it is hard to get timing down, especially on jump balls, in practice as players do not compete as hard in practice as in games.
It was like a switch was thrown for the offence when Louchiez Purifoy intercepted a Matthew Shiltz pass late in the second quarter. The Riders moved swiftly down the field for a touchdown to take the lead.
Fajardo spoke of the sudden life in the offence after the interception from going fast. The Riders were executing plays faster to avoid running out of time in the half. He said going fast got the offence in rhythm. He said his eyes had not been clear on earlier possessions. Now he was seeing better and could feel the ball moving as the Riders went down the field.
I think the Riders would benefit from going fast at the start, in the middle and at the end of games. Fajardo thinks the offence is at its best going fast. Going fast suits Fajardo’s personality. He is never still. He wants to be in action. As well, moving fast cuts down on his thinking time. Fajardo looks better when plays are being called swiftly. Where Fajardo likes a bit of time is when the offence has lined up and he takes a look at the defence. Too often, when they are not going fast the offence is on the verge of a time count penalty. They had another on Saturday. Going fast minimizes the risk of a time count penalty.
After the pair of losses against Winnipeg, Craig Dickenson said they cut down some things they were doing on offence and modified some things.
Saturday night, answering how the coaches could help the offence be in better rhythm, he spoke of the importance of continuity in players, building rapport with receivers and getting a feel for the offensive line. He said they strive to make the game plan suit what Fajardo likes to do and keep as much consistency as they can with the roster.
While Fajardo has not been consistent in running the offence in 2021 he, at all times, has a talent for reacting and improvising during a play. He has a sense for when to change the play that is a gift.
That skill was most evident on the play that set up the field goal that restored a 10 point Rider lead during the second half. Fajardo said he was to hand the ball off to William Powell but felt their cornerback crashing down from his left and made an executive decision to pull the ball out and run to the left. The resulting 27 yard gain was the longest offensive play for the Riders in the game. He said if it had not worked out he would have been yelled at but the best quarterbacks are not afraid to make such decisions.
The play also displayed his athleticism. Fajardo is the only starting quarterback in the West who can challenge defences with his feet as well as his arm.
Rhythm has come hard for the 2021 Rider offence. With Kyran “Swerve” Moore likely gone for an extended period, continuity on offence remains elusive. At the same time, the offence knows the defence is playing very well.
