By paNOW Staff

Run defence of Saskatchewan Roughriders needs focus

Oct 18, 2010 | 5:20 PM

Justin Blackwell

CJME

It's reality check time for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and their run defence after the Calgary Stampeders were able to rush the ball for 221 yards in Sunday's 34-26 win.

That bumps up the total the past two weeks to 415 yards.
Defensive back Lance Frazier says those numbers are simply unacceptable.
“Guys need to look themselves in the mirror and ask, ‘Are you dedicating yourself to the game like you need to be?’,” said Frazier.
“We just have to get better. It goes from the top to the bottom, coaching staff and all.
Every man on this ball club really has to look themselves in the mirror and ask, ‘Did I do enough over the past two weeks?’”
Defensive tackle Marcus “Chunky” Adams says the way for the run defence to get better comes down to one word.
“Pride. To me it's all about priding yourself,” said Adams.
“You have to make sure you do your job and your job only. Don't worry about nobody else doing their job. Just worry about doing your job. If every man on the field thinks like that, we'll be fine.”
Brent Hawkins says it's not just the run defence that needs to get better.
It's the whole team.
“We just aren't doing the things to win right now,” said Hawkins.
“When we come together completely as a team, we'll be great. It's late in the season and we just have to stick together the way we are.”
The Riders will try and take the first step to improving the run defence when the team hits the practice field Tuesday morning.