A week removed from allowing eight sacks, the offensive line of the Saskatchewan Roughriders will be looking to rebound in their Week 4 matchup against the Montreal Alouettes.
The Riders got off to a strong start protecting QB Cody Fajardo against the Hamilton Ti-Cats in week 1 allowing no sacks. Saskatchewan has since faltered allowing a combined total of 12 sacks against the Edmonton Elks and the Alouettes.
Na’Ty Rodgers is one of the lineman who will be looking forward at another crack at the pass rush of Montreal. He noted with the two teams meeting back to back weeks, the game at Mosaic Stadium will naturally present itself as a chippy affair.
The violent nature of the back end of the home and home set should provide favourable conditions for Rodgers who finds his readiness and aggression as his best two attributes on the football field.
Penalties are something the the green and white will be looking to control after the team has taken over 100 yards in penalties over the past two weeks. The offensive tackle says it’s an area he is trying to improve but noted it’s a grinding process. “Some of the rules are a little bit different with each ref you go into the game with and you go to play it by ear sometimes.”
Tyrone Rodgers a defensive lineman who spent seven seasons in the CFL, is Na’Ty’s father. The Riders offensive tackle says his aggressive personality on the field was something that was passed down from his father. “When he played in the CFL he was also known for being super aggressive, it’s what I grew up watching.”
With his father spending three seasons in Winnipeg, the University of Houston product said he didn’t have too many fond memories of Saskatchewan growing up but enjoyed growing on the sidelines of the CFL.
There aren’t too many stats that showcase the success for offensive lineman which is why it’s easy for Rodgers to focus on getting the win. “As long as we come out with a win, I can walk out with a few bruises of my own and few bruises on them we will be alright.”
The second home game of the Riders season will take place on Saturday when the green and white renew acquaintances with the Alouettes at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff is 5:00.
