By Jamie Nye

Concerns remain for Saskatchewan Roughriders opener

Jun 28, 2011 | 6:37 AM

The Saskatchewan Roughriders head into their regular season opener with two large concerns: The kicking game and the pass rush.

In both preseason games, both areas failed to make the coaching staff and Roughrider brass confident going into the season.

Field goal worries

Field goal kicking seems to be the biggest area of concern as Eddie Johnson and Christopher Milo made only one field goal in six attempts, coming from the 16-yard line.

After the second preseason game, Head Coach Greg Marshall and General Manager Brendan Taman didn't hesitate to admit their disappointment in both kickers performances. However, Marshall has been happy with what he's seen over the first two days of practice.

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“I think they've both kicked the ball very well so I was happy to see them rebound and hopefully when we make our decision on which way we're going to go there, whoever it is will continue to (improve).”

Special Team Coordinator Craig Dickenson feels they have the best two field goal kickers available to them right now and there's no reason to doubt them at this point and the coaches and management have to be careful to not throw too much negative pressure on Johnson and Milo.

“I do think there is a confidence issue, especially with the young guys, so I think that's a balancing act we as coaches are always aware of. You want to encourage a young man to be his best and you want to get on him and demand that, but you have to be careful that his confidence isn't suffering as a result.”

Kicking audition continues

While the team hasn't decided how the kicking duties will be split or given to one player for week one, the audition will continue beyond the first game.

“I think it's going to be that way for a while. I think both have shown enough that we believe that they can do it and they can help our team but I think we want to continue to compete and get better at that position,” said Coach Dickenson after Monday's practice.

Defensive ends under the gun

While the kicking game could keep points off the board for the Roughriders, the lack of pass rush could impact how effective they are at preventing opponents from piling up points.

“I think our guys understand that we need to be better in that area,” explained Coach Marshall, “They'll keep working at it and we got some good candidates here and if we have to we'll have to find ways to create a rush we will. I think the guys up front know there's going to be times we rush three of four guys and they still have to find a way to get (to the quarterback).”

Right now the Roughriders are feeling the pain of injury. Defensive ends Brent Hawkins and RJ Roberts went down in training camp, with Hawkins shoulder likely leaving him out for the majority of the season.

“Any time you lose guys that were projected starters there, especially Hawkins, you always wonder where that next guy is going to come but at the same time when we come out on Sunday we'll fill that spot,” promised Defensive Coordinator Richie Hall.

Hall also admitted the pressure may have to come from the linebacking corps or defensive back field on some blitz packages as a base three-man front with four linebackers is part of their base package. Linebacker Jerrell Freeman led the Roughriders in sacks last season rotating between end and linebacker and may have to do the same in 2011.

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