By Jamie Nye

Saskatchewan Roughriders offense trying to help out defence

Jul 14, 2011 | 7:02 AM

The heat is being cranked up on the defence for the Saskatchewan Roughriders but they aren't the only ones to blame for the 81 points given up in the first two games. The offense is willing to take a share of the criticism for being outscored by 14 points in each of their two losses, thus far.

“We need to sustain drives and give those guys a chance to rest so they can come on the field fresh every possession if we can and the main thing is putting more points on the board. You may hear talk about the defence if we won but I guarantee it wouldn't be at the level as it is,” said quarterback Darian Durant after Wednesday's workout.

Flip field position

The Roughriders offense hasn't been able to control either of the games thus far. In the first game the defence of the Roughriders was on the field for eight minutes longer than the offense and it was even worse against Montreal, with the defence out against Anthony Calvillo for nearly 35 minutes of the game.

“We're not being as efficient as we need to be in bringing the ball out of our own endzone. Four times in the first game we failed, which resulted in 27 points. Last week we started near our (own endzone) six times and failed three times, which resulted in another 21 points,” pointed out offensive coordinator Doug Berry.

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Berry would like to see the team able to move the ball to at least the 40-yard line when they're pinned deep, just to flip field position, and not have the opposition's offense start with a short field.

Ready to run

One of the things Berry thinks will help the offense out is if they can establish a better run game, admitting they need to stay more committed to handing the ball to Wes Cates. The commitment to the run will be able to keep the defense on their toes in the third quarter, which has been a struggle for the Roughriders.

The Riders have been outscored 23-0 in the third quarter this season.

Offense needs an answer

Although it's not an easy goal to have, Durant goes back to just being able to win games to not only take the heat off the defence but to take the heat off the entire organization.

“We definitely can help the defence out, even if (the opposition) scores 50, we have to score 51.”

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