It seems like Arash Madani was onto something with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Two weeks ago, the regular SportsCage guest categorized their road contest against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a must-win game.
It might have seemed liked a drastic assessment at the time considering the Riders were 6-2 and keeping pace with the Edmonton Elks for top spot in the West Division. But Madani warned that the Riders needed to capitalize on winnable matchups before tougher days ahead.
Of course, the Riders lost in Hamilton and then followed that up by dropping a second straight game for the first time this season when they fell to the B.C Lions on Sunday.
At 6-4, things look much bleaker now.
“The B.C. game exposed some wounds,” Madani said on the SportsCage on Tuesday. “The B.C. game showed there’s a little trouble here that needs addressing. I don’t know how it quickly gets addressed.”
The offence seems to be the biggest problem right now. The Riders have scored just one touchdown in each of the last two games.
It’s worth noting that two touchdowns came off the board in the first three quarters against the Lions because of penalties, though one would have come on special teams.
Thanks to the negated majors, the Riders have scored just 35 points over the last two weeks. They posted 19 points in Hamilton, including getting shut out in the fourth quarter. They put up just 16 points in Vancouver, recording just two field goals through the first 45 minutes.
That’s not going to cut it.
“That’s why Shemar Bridges had to happen today,” Madani said, referring to the receiver the Riders signed Tuesday. “That’s why a jolt of something needed to go on.
“I like the Bridges move because it costs you nothing. I’ve always been a fan of that guy. … He can be an impact player on the football field.”
The receiving corps is still sans Kian Schaffer-Baker because of a knee injury. Sam Emilus returned Sunday after missing the last three games with an ankle ailment, but he left the game late in the fourth quarter after falling on his tailbone trying to catch a pass. Johnny Johnson III also got hurt in Vancouver and didn’t finish the contest.
“When are people coming back?” Madani said. “This guy can come in and help with no risk.”
Madani hinted that perhaps signing Geno Lewis, who was released by Ottawa earlier this month, could be an option for the Riders in September if things don’t improve.
That must happen quickly. Because dropping that game to the Ticats and following it up with that undisciplined defeat on the west coast might have completely changed the divisional playoff picture.
“You’re 6-2; you’re going to Hamilton with a chance to be 7-2 at the midway point of the season. All is well. And now, suddenly, it’s not,” Madani said. “You’re 6-4 and you’re like, ‘Wait a minute.’ (Lions quarterback) Nathan Rourke’s healthy. B.C.’s won four in a row and their offence has come to life. Suddenly, the west could go through Vancouver for a team that started 1-5.
“I know there’s a lot of football to go, but that B.C. team looked far superior to that Riders team the other night.”
Watch the full interview below.
