Short-term pain for possible long-term gain.
The undermanned Saskatchewan Roughriders receiving corps certainly took their lumps against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last Saturday without stars Kian Schaffer-Baker and Sam Emilus. But CFL analyst Glen Suitor believes that could lead to a payoff down the road.
“The only real upside of injuries is that your young players get real playing time when it really matters and when games are important,” the former Roughrider and TSN colour commentator said on the SportsCage. “That’s what’s happening right now with this receiving corps. That will pay dividends.
“Once those guys come back, you’re going to have a real depth corps that is now ready to sub in whether it’s a game here or there or – knock on wood – if one of your stars goes down before a playoff game.”
That’s the positive view as Suitor said someone like Dhel Duncan-Busby could excel late in the season with increased mid-season touches.
Right now, however, things aren’t as rosy.
The Riders struggled mightily on offence in the 26-19 loss to the Ticats, who own the CFL’s second-ranked pass defence, a week after pulling away from the winless Ottawa Redblacks.
Saskatchewan scored only one touchdown in the game and moved the ball just once on seven offensive plays in the fourth quarter, while being shut out in that frame.
“This was a different beast,” Suitor said. “This was a different team, and they were on the road. They were playing the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in their backyard.
“I think what happened was the changes on offence have caught up with the timing of the execution of that offence. They’re really going to have to work hard on it again this week before their next game (Sunday at B.C.) and make sure, no matter who’s in the lineup, that they have a little better chemistry. I thought it would affect them a little more than it did in the Ottawa game. It certainly did in the Hamilton game.”
Suitor touted Riders quarterback Trevor Harris as a Most Outstanding Player candidate after the win over the Redblacks. He looked nothing like that calibre of player against the Ticats.
Harris’ pedestrian stats were 207 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while connecting on 23 of 35 passes.
“That’s not him,” Suitor said. “Not this year. No way. Not in his career for the most part.”
Harris was tasked with guiding a depleted group that was also missing running backs A.J. Ouellette and Quali Conley. The depth issues caught up with the Riders.
“It’s so precise on offence,” Suitor said. “When you have to make changes and juggle guys in and out of the lineup, it’ll affect you at some point. I think it did in that game.”
Plenty of time to make amends and get wrinkles ironed out, at least.
Watch below for Suitor’s full interview with Teagan Witko, which also includes a conversation about kicker Alex Hale, facing the B.C. Lions, and flag football winners.
