By Jamie Nye

Roughriders offense trying to find their game

Jul 21, 2011 | 4:22 PM

Roughriders Head Coach Greg Marshall says it's time for the offense to stop with the excuses and time to perform.

Through training camp and the first three weeks of the season the offense has talked about trying to find chemistry without receivers Andy Fantuz, Rob Bagg and Cary Koch.

“We can't lean on (that excuse) anymore. The reality is they aren't here, they're not coming back so we might as well quit talking about it,” Marshall stated following Thursday's practice in preparation for their game against Montreal.

Keeping it simple

Quarterback Darian Durant said one of the things the team is working on is simplifying what they're doing to try and get the newer faces on offense acclimatized to the plays.

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“It just means things where we can just get rid of the ball quicker, screen passes, you name it, whatever it is that will help with the rhythm and get the ball to our playmakers and let them make plays.”

Durant followed that up by saying everybody on offense should be classified as a playmaker and the one thing he needs to do is spread the ball around much better.

As for the chemistry or lack thereof within the receiving corps, Durant said he hopes the simplification of some of the things they're doing will help he and newcomers Efrem Hill and Terrence Nunn find their groove.

OC and QB are OK

The perception within Rider Nation is the quarterback and offensive coordinator are not on the same page. Shots of the two on the sideline having short conversations with each other when Durant is clearly frustrated are being taken out of context.

“We work well together. I feel his frustration so there's no sense in going over and adding to any of that frustration. I know how he feels coming off the field sometimes, whether it's something that he did or something that somebody else had not done correctly so all we're trying to do is learn from the play before and try to do it better the next time,” explained offensive coordinator Doug Berry.

Berry said he's working with Durant to put him into more set plays and formations that his quarterback feels comfortable with because Durant needs to be able to anticipate the play at a better percentage. Berry acknowledges Durant may be hesitating needing more time to read his receivers to make sure they're in the right places.

Finding their identity

Coach Marshall has talked with the offense and believes they need to go with what works, “There's got to be a certain package of plays that we feel really good at running no matter what the circumstances are and no matter what the defensive look is.”

The Roughriders are clearly out of sync to start the season as they're tied for last in the league in scoring and Berry says right now, they'll take anything they can get.

“I've always made fun of the term an 'ugly win' but it doesn't matter how you win. An ugly win is a 54-51, an ugly win is 3-0 but it's still a win and this locker room needs to feel great and that's all we're looking for is just score one more point than Montreal this week.”

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