Riders Spreading the Ball Around

If it seems like there's a different receiver coming up big for the Saskatchewan Roughriders each week, it's because there is.

Last week's game in Edmonton was the first time that a receiver has led the team in receiving yards in back-to-back games as Chris Getzlaf posted a team-high 90 yards one week after pulling five balls for 95 yards.

There's many things contributing to his spread out aerial attack.  Part of it is the play of quarterback Darian Durant, who still hasn't thrown an interception this season; there's the addition of George Cortez as offensive coordinator; there's talent across the board in the receiving core; the offensive line has been rock solid which gives Durant time to find the open receiver; and the majority of opponents have been focused on stopping Kory Sheets.

“It's been working well for us, we've been spreading the ball around a lot and that's just going to continue to help us down the road as defences try to game plan against us,” said Dressler.  “The more that we're able to do with different guys, the harder we are to try and predict.”

Getzlaf has led the team in receiving three times so far this year and has 28 catches for 450 yards and five touchdowns to show for it.  He still hasn't broken 100 yards in a game yet this year, but has been consistent throughout the eight games.

“I feel comfortable, I feel great in the offence and everybody is understanding it really well and we're able to move around a bit to make things happen,” said Getzlaf, who dipped down below 1,000 yards last season, but is on pace to break that mark this season.

In fact, Dressler and Taj Smith are also on their way to 1,000 yard seasons with  Dressler leading the way at 527 yards, which is fifth-best in the CFL.  Smith has really emerged as a strong third option for Durant and a dangerous deep threat this season, he has 28 catches for 481 yards and four touchdowns.

“I'm just playing my part, just doing what they ask me to do and it's working in our favour,” said Smith after practice on Wednesday.

He's been developing more and more chemistry with Durant since midway through last season and his blazing speed has proven hard to handle.

“We come in and I talk to (Durant) and we try to go through our progressions and it's actually playing out very well,” said Smith.

The chemistry is evident throughout the receiver core as they work off each other with Geroy Simon fitting in well so far as well, and Rob Bagg having one monster game against Hamilton where he caught five balls for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

“Just having guys out there that we're familiar with and playing together for the last few years, we can kind of interchange things on our own and give defences a little bit different look instead of just lines on paper kind of thing,” explained Dressler.

The main thing is that all the receivers seem to be buying into the team first attitude, which is expected with the players the Riders have on their roster.

“It's all about winning when it comes down to it,” said Getzlaf.  “If you have zero catches and win the game, well you accomplished what you wanted to, so if we're able to move the ball around and get catches, that's great, but the biggest thing comes down to winning.”

The 7-1 Riders are getting ready for the Labour Day Classic as they'll host the 1-7 Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday at 2:00pm.