Kelly Jeffrey. (File photo courtesy of the Saskatchewan Roughriders)

By Britton Gray - CJME News

‘We need to be better:’ Riders’ offence looking for more against Argos

Jul 25, 2023 | 5:07 PM

The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offence will look to provide some more sparks — and points — against the Toronto Argonauts.

Saskatchewan was only able to muster nine points against the B.C. Lions in a 19-9 CFL loss on Saturday, and the big play was almost non-existent for the team.

“I was just disappointed we didn’t come away with more points,” Riders offensive coordinator Kelly Jeffrey said Tuesday. “Our defence played awesome, the special teams were great, we got all kinds of takeaways with our defence and so we had good field position. We need to be better. We will be.

“The guys are pretty pissed off at the way things came down and we are going to be better this week.”

It’s another tough task for the Riders’ offence and quarterback Mason Fine this week going against the 5-0-0 Argonauts in Halifax, N.S. for Touchdown Atlantic. Kickoff for the game is set for 2 p.m.

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Toronto is only giving up 22.2 points per game (tied for third-fewest in the CFL) and surrendering 345.8 yards per game (fourth-fewest in the CFL).

In Fine’s first start of the season last week, the 26-year-old completed 31 of 40 pass attempts for 278 yards and two interceptions. The Roughriders added only 16 yards rushing on 14 carries.

“That’s a really good defence. We saw some things in terms of how other teams have played against them who supposedly have high-octane offences and get shut down,” Jeffrey said. “He made some really good reads and some really tough throws.

“We need more help in the run game to help him out. That would have made a huge difference with some of those short-yardage plays.

“Overall you can’t do a whole lot better. We probably could have taken a few more shots down the field.”

While there weren’t many deep shots, Jeffrey disagreed that the Riders ran a conservative offence, with Fine throwing the ball 40 times and short-yardage QB Shea Patterson throwing one pass for a six-yard completion.

“We threw the ball 41 times. It’s rare you say ‘conservative’ when a team throws the ball 41 times and completes 32 for 280,” Jeffrey said. “We felt we could give Mason the option of either handing it off against a light box or keeping it.

“It wasn’t a conservative game plan or play-calling; some of the circumstances dictated it. With a new quarterback, you always want to be a little bit cautious going in. You want to get him some completions early.”

Some reinforcements are expected to be on the way to a receiver room that has been ravaged by injuries early this season.

Slotbacks Jake Wieneke (knee) and Brayden Lenius (back) both practised in full on Tuesday. Kian Schaffer-Baker (hip) was limited, but the practice marked the first time he has done team drills this season.

Centre Peter Godber (hand) was also with the starters once again. But Mitch Picton (head), Kendall Watson (ribs) and Tevin Jones (illness) were all absent.

Notes: The Riders signed defensive back Trumaine Washington to a contract. The 28-year-old most recently played with the Orlando Guardians in the XFL. The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder led the CFL with five interceptions in 2021. The Florida product has spent five seasons in the CFL split between the Argonauts (2018-19), Edmonton Elks (2020-21) and Calgary Stampeders (2022) … Defensive end Anthony Lanier II (foot) also practised in full Tuesday. Lanier has missed the Roughriders’ past two games.