With one coaching change already occurring in the CFL in 2022 and possibly more on the way, Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive coordinator, Jason Shivers should be receiving a call from a team looking for a new head coach this winter.
This season, the Riders defense ranked number at one in takeaways (25) and sacks (26). They’re also tied for the league lead in interceptions (10).
On Friday, Saskatchewan’s offence will have a tough test as they meet the BC Lions, who lead the CFL in big plays (20+ yard plays) this season with 19.
Shivers says the Lion receiving group is one of the best in the league that possess several key qualities.
“They have some tall and physical guys and they can stretch the field, but they also have the speed to catch the underneath ball and turn it into a big play.”
If there is one receiver who’s capable of making a big play for BC it’s Lucky Whitehead, who’s coming off a performance against Hamilton that saw him catch eight passes for 111 yards with a touchdown. The Riders defensive coordinator says the green and white have to use the numbers advantage when taking down the speedster for the Lions.
“You got to get your hands on him early, got to gang tackle him because he’s always a big play threat anytime he gets the ball in his hands.”
Nathan Rourke will enter Mosaic Stadium as the clear cut starter for BC, which is much different circumstances than young QB faced when he played in relief for Michael Reilly in 2021. Shivers thinks deception is apart of the plan to counter the young QB.
“I think he’s going to be a solid quarterback in the future, he’s doing some good things right now, we just got to confuse him a little bit.”
Charleston Hughes looked like the pass rusher from his peak days last week for Saskatchewan in the loss to Toronto. Shivers feels the veteran defensive end is an elite talent.
“He’s rejuvenated, he’s playing well, we just got to stay inside of the scheme and every once in a while we’ll scheme up something for him to get home, he’s still an elite pass rusher, hall of fame pass rusher, so I’m sure they will be paying attention to where’s lining up.”
“All those guys know they got to play any position just like Anthony Lanier could be the inside guy and all of the sudden on the outside edge and they have great attributes and we just try to scheme it up so those guys can use their attributes to make plays.”
One player who has made a lot of plays from the secondary this season has been Rolan Milligan, the Riders defensive coordinator is happy to have Milligan back in the lineup.
“He’s a warrior, great to have him back, he’s flying around all over the place, lockdown cover guy, physical when he come to make a tackle.”
One of the most positive stories for Saskatchewan this season has been linebacker, Larry Dean. Shivers says Dean is another warrior type of a player.
“Just a student of the game, always in early, we can do a lot with him at Will linebacker, that’s the great thing, we can expand what we can do schematically and just a tough warrior he had over 98 plays total last game, never wore down, I love him for what he’s doing on the field.”
Shivers is finding himself like a player and trying to move up to the next level in the coaching world. While he’s aspiring to move on to a bigger role, he’s currently happy be the defensive coordinators for the Riders and is hoping to win a Grey Cup this season.
When football teams likely approach Shivers this offseason for vacant head coaching jobs, they’re going to find a candidate who’s going to find try and expand his players talents.
“Being relatable to the guys being able to be a teacher is the big thing, and teaching them football, not just learning one position, when the guys leave our defense, they’re better all around when it comes to football.”
Shivers and the Riders will be looking to shut down Lions offence, you can catch the game on 620 CKRM, with opening kickoff at 7:00 on Friday night.
