More expected from Rider running backs in 2015

The Saskatchewan Roughriders ground game this season is going to look a lot like it did in 2014.

Since Kory Sheets left after the 2013 Grey Cup, the team hasn’t been able to find a feature running back. As the 2015 season begins, that’s the case again.

“I don’t think we have that in our offence. What I mean by that is, we have a multitude of guys for a multitude of reasons,” said head coach Corey Chamblin. 

Anthony Allen and Jerome Messam appear poised to handle most of the load but Steven Miller, Nic Demski and even Spencer Moore could find themselves behind or beside Darian Durant on any given play. 

There are two schools of thought on the running game: some seem to think a feature back is needed, others feel the position can be handled by committee. 

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Like most sports theories, neither theory is wrong. It all comes down to how you execute. 

“At the end of the day we’d like to be able to average 5.2, 5.3 to 5.4 yards per carry,” said offensive co-ordinator Jacques Chapdelaine.

“Now, you get good first down production out of the run game. It takes a little pressure out of the passing game and it opens up other avenues that we have.”

It’s those other avenues that Chapdelaine and the offence might be most interested in.

Throughout training camp and the pre-season, the running backs have been called upon to catch the football more than they did under George Cortez. 

Overall, the change in offensive play calling has been welcomed by the running backs. 

“No knock on coach Cortez, but I think we just were a little predictable last year,” said Messam.

“We had teams calling out our plays. It was a little bit frustrating.”

Messam’s ability to catch the ball is well known. However, Allen feels just as comfortable getting open in the secondary as well.

“Definitely, I’ve told people I’m a natural receiver. I was a receiver first, then I just grew wide instead of tall,” he said. 

Another change for the running backs this year might be the confidence the coaching staff has in their abilities.

Last year, it seemed fumbling away the football was the greatest of football crimes with the punishment being time on the bench. 

Messam already fumbled once in the pre-season and remained on the field. It was Allen was seemed to have to deal with this extreme punishment the most.

“I don’t even want to have to go through that experience that year,” said Allen.

“It’s good knowing if you do (fumble), you still have a guy that’s willing to keep you in there and go with the flow of the game and make up for that fumble.”

At this point, all the running backs are fine with splitting the duties for another season. 

News and Notes

The Riders will be without safety Tyron Brackenridge and receiver Weston Dressler on Saturday night against Winnipeg.

Chamblin suggested that Dressler was closer to returning, but it’s too early in the season to be pushing guys to return. 

“I don’t get to the point to where it’s up and down with them. Let’s get them fully healthy and we’ll ride them from there,” he said. 

Look for Ryan Smith to play a bigger role with Dressler’s absence. 

Based on Tuesday’s practice it appears that both Macho Harris or Keenan MacDougall could fill in for Brackenridge. Wednesday’s practice was closed to the public and media. 

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow