The Roughriders’ offence is second to none so far

Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback Bakari Grant wasted little time Tuesday identifying the reason for the CFL team’s statistical success on offence this season.

“No. 5,” Grant said, referring to the jersey number worn by Roughriders quarterback Kevin Glenn. “That’s one of the biggest factors. If you watch our film, he’s consistent, he gets the ball out quickly and he knows his reads.”

Glenn was eager to share the praise, pointing to the work of offensive co-ordinator Stephen McAdoo, the offensive linemen, the receivers and the running backs. Whatever — or whomever — the reason, the Roughriders’ offence has been impressive through the team’s first three games this season.

Saskatchewan enters Week 5 with the league lead in time of possession (an average of 33 minutes 20 seconds, more than one minute better than the second-place Edmonton Eskimos), plays from scrimmage (an average of 63.7 per game, almost three more than the second-place Ottawa Redblacks) and net offence (an average of 410.3 yards, 2.5 yards better than the second-place Calgary Stampeders).

The Roughriders also have the league’s most efficient red-zone offence (eight touchdowns in 11 trips for a 72.7-per-cent success rate; the league average is 49 per cent) and the best offence in second-down conversions (41-for-77, or 53.2 per cent).

Their 75-per-cent efficiency rate on second-and-short is third-best in the CFL, their 68.2-per-cent success rate on second-and-medium leads the league, and their 39.5-per-cent conversion rate on second-and-long is third-best.

“Our main goal coming into the season was focusing on keeping drives alive and trying to score points — and I feel like we’ve been doing that,” said slotback Naaman Roosevelt, who enters the week with a league-best 12 second-down catches that have moved the chains.

“We’ve got a great offensive line that has been executing, both with the run and the pass, and we’ve got a great running back (Cameron Marshall) who has been making plays for us. It’s just us focusing on trying to keep the drives going.”

Roosevelt did that exceedingly well July 8 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, making seven of his 10 catches in the game in second-down situations. All seven of those receptions produced first downs, including an 18-yarder on second-and-17 in the Roughriders’ 37-20 win.

Saskatchewan converted on 17 of its 26 second-down situations against Hamilton for a 65.4-per-cent success rate. The Roughriders were 11-for-24 against the Montreal Alouettes on June 22 and 13-for-27 versus the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 1.

The Roughriders are nearly seven per cent better than the league average for second-down conversions (46.5 per cent).

“(Glenn) puts us in the right position to make a play; he throws the ball to whoever’s open,” Roosevelt said when asked about the second-down efficiency. “The coaches are making good calls and we’re just trying to execute the play. We’ve been executing on a high level.”

Glenn suggested that the Roughriders’ second-down success is because the offensive players have the mentality that they don’t want to leave the field. But that mentality has to exist on other teams as well, so there must be some reason why the Roughriders have been succeeding more than their opponents.

Grant may have been right: Glenn’s completion percentage on second downs is 53.9, the best of any starter. Only B.C. Lions backup Travis Lulay (60.0 per cent) has a better percentage than Glenn this season.

Not surprisingly, Glenn gave the credit to his linemen and receivers.

“Having the time to be able to find your second or third option a lot of times is good — and that’s all because of the offensive linemen …” he said. “You’re not just limited to one-and-done as far as the routes are concerned with the receivers.

“Then receivers are making catches. I know on a couple of second downs, we have receivers that make some tough catches so that’s another thing that helps.”

The Roughriders’ statistical success has resulted in just one victory this season — they’re 1-2 entering Saturday’s road game in Calgary — but it represents progress year over year.

Saskatchewan finished last in second-down efficiency last season (42.5 per cent) and was sixth in time of possession (29 minutes 31 seconds).

“It’s a nice group that’s gelling together,” said tackle Derek Dennis, who was added to the group in free agency this off-season. “We have a great rapport with each other. We have great chemistry. We know how to talk to each other, we know how to communicate and we just know how to get the job done.”

But that job isn’t done. The Roughriders have 15 regular-season games remaining, including Saturday’s clash with the Stampeders.

“(The offence’s statistical start) is something that we’re doing well and we have to continue to do well, but the things that we haven’t done well — whether it’s turnovers or untimely mental mistakes — are the things that cost us games in weeks 1 and 2,” said receiver Rob Bagg.

“If we want to enjoy the same feeling that we had after Hamilton, we’re going to have to be very sharp and clean against one of the most elite teams in the league.”