Ed Gainey got the message.
Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach-GM Chris Jones had a chat with Gainey as Sunday’s CFL game against the B.C. Lions neared, suggesting the Roughriders needed more from the veteran defensive back.
Gainey responded in record-setting fashion, intercepting four passes (including one he returned 49 yards for a touchdown) and recovering a fumble in Saskatchewan’s 41-8 victory at Mosaic Stadium.
“Ed had a very nice game,” Jones said. “I’ve been on him because, quite honestly, he was one of our top point-getters from last year in our (statistical breakdown). He was a very productive player. This year, I’ve felt that he has been a little bit hesitant and I’ve been on him since camp to be more aggressive.
“He and I spoke this week and I told him, ‘You’re a good player. You’re just not quite playing like a good player.’ (On Sunday), I saw that same confidence that I’ve seen from him in the past that, ‘I’m on top of this route. I’m going to be aggressive. I’m not just going to let (the receiver) catch it. I’m going to go get the football.’ ’’
Gainey, who made his CFL debut with the Montreal Alouettes in 2012, had two interceptions for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2014 and set a career high with three picks for the Roughriders in 2016.
He outdid himself Sunday, picking off Jonathon Jennings three times and Alex Ross once.
The four interceptions set a single-game franchise record and marked the first time since Sept. 9, 1990, that a CFL player had at least four thefts in a game. Rod Hill of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers recorded five interceptions that day against Hamilton.
Gainey was one of the Roughriders’ most consistent defenders in 2016, registering 49 tackles, 14 pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles and one 51-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
He entered Sunday’s game with 16 tackles and three knockdowns this season but, in Jones’ words, Gainey “hadn’t played very good football.”
“He has had opportunities,” Jones continued. “They threw a bender on him (Aug. 5) in B.C. and he watched (Lions receiver Emmanuel) Arceneaux catch the football. (Gainey) is in position to make the play, but he’s got to be aggressive and confident enough to do it.
“Ed Gainey’s a good football player and (Sunday), I think you saw the guy that we expect him to be all the time.”
Inspired by his infant son’s presence in the stands, Gainey was a presence throughout Sunday’s game. By the midway point of the second quarter, he had become the first Roughriders defender since Macho Harris (against Montreal on Sept. 27, 2015) to record three interceptions in a game.
Gainey recovered a fumble forced by Jovon Johnson late in the fourth quarter and then ended the Lions’ final possession of the game with his fourth pick.
Gainey recognized that he was off to a slow start this season and suggested it was affecting his play.
“I love the game from the bottom of my heart; if I wasn’t playing football, I don’t know what I’d be doing,” he said. “I’ve got to learn how to control my emotions, continue to believe in myself and make my plays when I get a chance.
“This was big for me this week because I’m a leader. It has been kind of hard for me. I’ve been pressing too much (and) too much on a few of the younger guys. Going out there and leading by example, that’s pretty much the best I can give.”
The Roughriders entered the game with two interceptions this season — one by a since-released defensive end (Jonathan Newsome) and one by a rookie linebacker who’s now on the six-game injured list (Sam Williams).
That statistic, and the media attention it attracted, didn’t sit well with the Roughriders’ defensive backs.
“We were pretty frustrated with a lot of people asking us about the turnovers and it got kind of old for us,” said cornerback Kacy Rodgers II. “We pretty much took it personally — and I think it showed how personally we took it (Sunday).
“Gainey single-handedly had one of the best defensive performances that I’ve ever been a part of. Four interceptions and one fumble recovery, that’s something you dream of if you’re a DB.”
The Roughriders’ pass rushers can take some credit for Gainey’s showing.
Eight days after allowing Lions quarterback Travis Lulay to escape from the pocket and either throw on the run or gain yards along the ground in B.C.’s 30-15 win at home, the Roughriders stayed in their lanes Sunday and kept Jennings and Lulay between the tackles.
Saskatchewan had four sacks — including two by rookie end Tobi Antigha — and 14 quarterback pressures. The Roughriders had a league-low 31 QB pressures through their first six games.
The defence forced seven turnovers and allowed only 14 first downs, 73 yards rushing (50 of which came on one carry by Jeremiah Johnson) and 343 yards of net offence. On Aug. 5 in Vancouver, the Roughriders gave up 27 first downs, 202 yards rushing and 535 yards of net offence.
“The main difference was trust,” said linebacker Sam Eguavoen. “Last week, we were all over the place. Everybody was trying to make a play and that’s the worst thing you can do as a defence.
“This week, we trusted our gaps and trusted everybody was going to be where they needed to be. That’s why we stopped the run. Then, when they have to pass, our D-line gets to go eat and our DBs get to stay deep — and you can see what happens with all the turnovers.”
