There seem to be more football statistics that identify when an offensive line is struggling than when it’s doing well, but one way to show success is the effectiveness of the run game.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders used four different ball carriers to rush for 124 yards in their last outing, a 28-24 win over the Toronto Argonauts last Saturday. That improved their record for a perfect 5-0 when they collect at least 100 yards on the ground.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out there might be something to that – and that the offensive line plays a significant role in getting them over that century mark.
“You have to take a lot of pride in it,” Riders centre Logan Ferland said. “The more you can run the ball, the more it takes off the pass rush. The ability to do that is really key. If you can’t run, it’s hard to win games.”
The Riders hope to continue their diversified offensive approach when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Labour Day Classic on Sunday.
For that to happen, the big guys up front must take another step.
“For us as a unit, we just try to get better every weekend,” left tackle Payton Collins said. “We have our certain standard that we hold ourselves to and, even like last week, obviously we won the game, but there’s always stuff that we can work on.”
How to quantify that isn’t as easy as it is elsewhere on the field.
Every other position in football has a slew of numbers that prove players’ worth. Those stats show how impactful they’ve been and at least have an ability to display a cheery narrative.
Offensive linemen are primarily evaluated – at least on the surface – by how much or little they mess up like the number of sacks they allow. (Riders quarterback Trevor Harris has been sacked 17 times, tied of third most in the CFL.)
Judging them seems to be like critiquing defensive defencemen on the rink: It’s easy to spot the gaffes and it takes a weeks of steady limited mistakes before they get their flowers.
The bouquet is fresh and fragrant now after a bit of a dip.
“We started out hot and then there were a couple games where I thought we didn’t meet the standard for ourselves,” Riders coach Corey Mace said. “They’ve identified that. We’re starting to get back to an upward tick.
“(These are) guys who’ve played a lot of games together. Some really good individual linemen who’ve been recognized. But as always for that position, we’ve got to make sure that we’re working great together. That’s what they’ve focused on.”
Ferland agrees with his coach’s assessment.
“I see it very similar,” he said. “We’re a group that always wants to improve no matter what, even if we’re doing well.”
With the dearth of stats readily available, Collins said the focus is on getting better on a weekly basis and trying to do their jobs properly.
There’s been more good than bad in that regard.
“Yes, they had a couple bad plays, but at the same time, they were able to bring it back and being able to compete at the level that I know they can,” running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon said. “I always have my trust in them.”
That leads things back to the running game, one of the few stats – albeit one credited to someone else or the team at large – that can put the O line in a positive light.
The Riders are seventh in the CFL with 1,058 yards through 11 games. That facet of their game has been integral to victories but could be a more consistent part of their repertoire.
It takes collective approach, one that includes honorary lineman Bertrand-Hudon as the lead blocker in packages for backup quarterback Tommy Stevens.
“The run game has always been a big part of our game,” Bertrand-Hudon said. “It’s something that we preach every week and something that us, the running backs and the O line, take a lot of pride in.
“Being able to have a good game just reflects the things that we do all throughout the week.”
