Fajardo spins to win, at least until he gets hit too hard

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This article was published 06/09/2019 (2194 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Cody Fajardo is full value for an incredible debut season as a starting quarterback in the CFL.

His signature spin move, something he employs frequently to escape pressure when he drops back to pass in the Saskatchewan backfield, is beautiful to behold. He’s also wary of overusing it.

“It is a little bit more predictable now that I’ve shown it a little bit more, so guys are going to rush me on the upfield shoulder,” the 27-year-old Brea, Calif., product said shortly after the Roughriders arrived at IG Field on Friday in preparation for today’s Banjo Bowl against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“The scary thing about that is sometimes when you make that spin and there’s a guy waiting for you, it hurts a little bit more. So, for me, it’s probably going to take one hit and then I’ll be like, ‘Oh, I can’t do that again.’ For me, my entire career, that’s kinda been one of my escape moves. But it’s one of those things where you feel the pressure and you understand when you can use it (and) when you can’t use it.”

“Sometimes, I put the left tackle at risk by doing it because he’ll think that I’m sitting in the pocket and I’ll do that spin out and it makes it a little bit harder on him. I’m trying to be better at that and be able to sit in the pocket sometimes and just make the throw or take the hit and not make a bad play worse.”

Plotting for Willie

Former Saskatchewan defensive end Willie Jefferson had three tackles, one sack and a pass knockdown in last week’s showdown in Regina. The Riders understand the game-breaking Jefferson requires special attention.

“He’s so athletic and he’s so long, we’re going to try to run at him a little bit, try to force him to defend the run a little bit,” Saskatchewan head coach Craig Dickenson said. “But when you single-block Willie, he can make life difficult on you. So we’re going to try to help our guys a little bit when they are facing Willie and I think it’s important, too, to dictate the pace of the game.

“When you’re behind in a game like this when Willie knows you’re passing every down, that’s when he can really pin his ears back and rush. We’ll try to get on top of that early and try to run the ball a little more.”

The replacements

With Rasheed Bailey slotting in for an injured Lucky Whitehead and Daniel Petermann preparing to sub in for an ailing Nic Demski, Winnipeg’s passing game could have a much different look in the Banjo Bowl.

How problematic is the transition?

“It’s not difficult,” Bombers wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky said. “Petey’s played that position for a long time and so has Rasheed. They just haven’t had the opportunity to be in the first team. They’ve been playing those positions since camp and they know what they’re doing. I know Rasheed and Pete are both excited — I’ve talked to both of them. They’re going to have a great game, man. They’re definitely ready.”

Wolitarsky believes that quarterback Chris Streveler, making his third start this season in place of an injured Matt Nichols, will continue to improve as a starter.

“I think things will slow down,” Wolitarsky said. “We played a team last week — he came in for the second time — and it’s the kind of defence that’s very aggressive and very fast, a lot of moving parts. He did a great job and he picked up on things that earlier on we kinda missed and made fixes to some of the things we hadn’t seen. I think he’ll continue to be able to do that and adapt.”

Added Streveler: “The more reps I get with the first-team offence and guys out there, it just kind of builds that comfort level.”

Demski, officially a game-time decision, appears unlikely to play.

“I’ll just step in and be ready to play,” Petermann said. “I know the spots, so it’s the same deal.”

A case for the defence

Defensive end Craig Roh said the Bombers defence has a short list of improvements to make for today’s game. The visitors were plagued by breakdowns during Saskatchewan’s game-winning drive and missed opportunities for sacks in the Labour Day Weekend Classic.

“I’m thinking about the last drive and I’m also thinking about Fajardo, a very elusive quarterback. We really should’ve had eight sacks that game — easily,” said Roh, who had one of his unit’s five sacks in the game. “Just free guys coming on blitzes. Anticipating that he’s going to be a guy who’s going to want to run out of the pocket, spin, all that stuff. I think that’s very important.”

Noteworthy

Winnipeg added ex-Wilfred Laurier linebacker Brandon Calver to its practice roster Friday… The Bombers enter the game on an eight-game home winning streak, the club’s longest since a 10-game streak in 1993-94… The 7-3 Riders are looking for their first seven-game winning streak and 8-3 start since 2014… The Bombers have won eight of the 15 Banjo Bowl games played.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14