The offensive line for the Saskatchewan Roughriders has referred to the centre position as the alpha male of the unit, and this week Logan Ferland appears poised to be lining up in the middle of the trenches.
After a tough loss to the Toronto Argonauts, Ferland says a big focus of the offensive line in practice is working on communication, improving their execution and dealing with the changes the o-line has to endure.
“Once we’re all on the same page, we can execute our jobs as one unit, especially with all of the changes on the offensive line, just getting better and better each week, it’s going to be a point of emphasis. ”
Chemistry is a very integral for any offensive line to succeed, the former member of the Regina Thunder explains.
“We got to be like dip on chips, as one unit. When you take one part of that unit out and replace them with somebody else the chemistry on the whole line could be screwed up as long as whoever’s in at centre, as long as he is the alpha, he is confident on what he is doing, we’re going to be just fine. ”
Dan Clark started the season at centre before suffering a serious leg injury in Week 2 which will sideline Clark indefinitely. Logan Bandy replaced Clark, but has been out of practice this week with an illness.
The number one trait an an offensive lineman must have is confidence according to Ferland. He also pointed out the rest of the guys will not follow a leader on the team unless they display confidence. Ferland said that he’s looking forward for another opportunity to playing at centre for the Riders.
The green and white offensive line has received plenty of heat this season, both from pass rushers and their critics. Even though the Riders didn’t pick up the win against the Argos, Ferland believes the o-line had their best game in terms of pass protection last week.
“It comes and goes, there’s a lot of factors to it more than just the offensive line.”
The Riders 0ffensive lineman added they have been trying to block out the noise despite the criticism.
Running the ball, the offensive line has been able to create plenty of room for the Riders Jamal Morrow, who leads the CFL in rushing so far in 2022.
Even though it’s only the end of July, this week’s game for the Riders against the BC Lions has a playoff feel, with Saskatchewan meeting BC three times over their next four games. While Ferland is not feeling any added pressure for the game, he noted it would be great for the team to head into the bye week with some momentum.
The green and white will welcome the orange of black for the first of two games that will be played in Mosaic Stadium in a three week span.
You can catch the game with 620 CKRM, opening kickoff at 7:00.
