Continuing with the CFL Talking Points series, Last Word On Sports CFL writers Thomas Gunther and Kelly Bale address several pressing questions after the Calgary Stampeders 35-15 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, as well as their overall impressions of the game. For last week’s recap, you can click here. Here are the key takeaways in the CFL Week 7 Talking Points.
CFL Week 7 Talking Points
Calgary Stampeders
1) The Stamps offence struggled at times in this game. What were the keys to Calgary’s fourth quarter TD drive that ended the game?
Thomas Gunther: The answer to that lies in the elusiveness of Bo-Levi Mitchell and the freight train that is Jerome Messam. When Mitchell got outside the pocket and took advantage of the Riders nonexistent pass rush he had no trouble completing passes. Once that was in the minds of the Riders defence it was all too easy for Messam to barrel his way through to a victory. The Stamps kept their balance and it showed on that final drive.
Kelly Bale: A key was the balanced attack deployed by offensive co-ordinator Dave Dickenson. Spot on execution by the Stamps on the drive that cemented the win didn’t hurt either.
2) Which was stronger in the win, the Stamps defence or offence?
TG: Both. The Stampeders are what they have seemingly always been, a balanced team with no discernible weakness. When the offence struggled early the defence held strong. Later in the game the offence picked up its game when the Riders were closing in on the lead. Special Teams were solid as well with good returns by Roy Finch, near perfect coverage against Kendial Lawrence, and consistent kicking from Rob Maver.
KB: The Stamps have struggled this year to get all facets of their team working together on the same night. There’s no question they’ve got it now but the defence was just a bit better tonight. The Riders passing game was constantly disrupted by either a great pass rush or pass knock-downs in the defensive secondary.
3) Which positional group stood out for Calgary?
TG: Hands down the defensive secondary was the best unit for the Stamps. Darian Durant and the Riders tried to pick on Ciante Evans and Tommie Campbell all night but got nothing but deflected passes in return. When one considers the youth and inexperience of those two players it becomes all the more impressive that the Stamps fended off Naaman Roosevelt, Ricky Collins Jr. and (in the second half) Rob Bagg. Most teams look good against Saskatchewan but this secondary will continue to turn heads going forward.
KB: The secondary as the best unit tonight. Calgary has benched players from their defence that would start on the Riders right now. One example is veteran Fred Bennett and it’s crazy that the Stampeders have the depth to keep him off the field and still be successful. Linebacker Alex Singleton was missing tonight and yet even without the exciting rookie the Stampeders were stalwart defensively.
Stampeders’ Top Performer
TG: Messam or Mitchell warrant attention here but the award goes to Ciante Evans. The young defender played a huge role in last weeks thriller victory over the Lions and was lights out this week in coverage. General manager John Hufnagel continually finds these players and he certainly isn’t telling how he does it. Evans is well on his way to All-Star status if continues to play like this.
KB: Mitchell was this week’s Top Performer. He threw tantrum after tantrum when he failed to connect with receivers and it wasn’t pretty. However, his execution is almost perfect at times and it certainly was down the stretch tonight.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
1) It’s week 7 and the Riders are 1-5. Should Rider fans start worrying about Chris Jones and his “new order”?
KB: Not at all. Teams never give up hope week to week that they can win a football game. But in reality this is a re-build year for the Riders. Anyone who can’t take a step back, see that, and be patient isn’t really paying attention.
TG: Big picture there shouldn’t be a concern with the way the team is developing. However defensively Jones is making too many mistakes in his play calling and player packages. No one expected the Rider defence to be lights out, but at this point they look just as bad as last year if not worse. That is not what Chris Jones promised to bring and he deserves the lion-share of the blame for the flailing unit.
2) The Riders held Calgary close until the fourth quarter. What was working on defence and why couldn’t the Green and White keep it going?
KB: It could have been more offensive deficiencies by the Stamps that kept the game close. The Riders were able to get some pressure in the first three quarters achieved by rushing three linemen and a late blitzer. While it disrupted Mitchell’s timing initially that was not the case once the Calgary offence adjusted.
TG: The Stampeders and Roughriders both suffered from copious amounts of drops by their receivers tonight. That seemed to stall more drives than anything else early on. In the end the Stamps were too good of a team to let mistakes keep them down, a major reason they are 4-1-1 and the Riders are 1-5.
3) The running game is suffering across the CFL, but no where more than Saskatchewan. What is the source of the Riders running woes?
KB: The Riders actually had their best night running the ball but the balanced offensive attack they need is still nowhere to be seen. Across the CFL teams are employing big, fast, American front sevens to clog running lanes and overwhelm offensive lines. The counter to this is that if you can’t run through it, you pass over and around it. Obviously the Riders playing a depleted line and uneven backfield doesn’t help matters.
TG: The lack of carries was a problem as well for the Riders and their run game. Despite not making an impact anywhere else Lawrence was effective on a few runs when given the chance. Yet after a few stops the Riders were quick to give up on running and repeatedly choose to test the Calgary secondary with no success.
Roughriders’ Top Performers
KB: The top performer was Rob Bagg. Bagg had an outstanding first half and just wasn’t targeted accurately enough, otherwise he would have likely had a 200+ yard performance. He also did not lose his fumble, it was just a blown call by the officials.
TG: Johnny Mark gets the nod. The former Rider draft selection came in off the street after regular kicker Tyler Crapigna was injured to go 3 of 4 and keep the Riders within striking distance until the fourth quarter. With Mark, Crapigna, and this years draft pick Quinn Van Gylswyk waiting in the wings the Riders have a glut of talent at the position. Maybe Montreal gives them a call?
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