The losses are mounting in Saskatchewan and so is the frustration.
For the first time, at least publicly, it appears that frustration is coming from more than just the fans. Head Coach Corey Chamblin met with the media on Tuesday morning and admitted that he's frustrated as is his team as they deal with a four game losing streak.
"There's always going to be frustration whether you lose one,whether it's three, definitely on a four game losing streak." said Chamblin.
According to Chamblin, the coaching staff and the players have to now move from frustration mode into growth. The problem is they're on a short week that was made even shorter as their first official practice isn't until Wednesday. Chamblin does admit that the short will week will make it difficult for them to fix everything but, the ship will get turned around.
Changes and growth just don't apply to the players doing their job on the field, but the coaching staff as well; as Chamblin admits he's been busy re-assessing everything about his team, more so than he normally would during a short week.
"The schemes that we're running, have to look the way that we coach," said Chamblin. "Have to look at the players and the way we execute."
It goes without saying the biggest adjustments and changes need to come on the offensive side of the ball. During this four game losing skid the offence hasn't scored more than 30 points in game; in three of those games they've been held below 25 points.
Right now there's a lot of heat on quarterback Darian Durant, a big change from the start of the year when Durant could do no wrong. Chamblin has a talk with his pivot, who knows he has to be better.
"I've had a talk with him, but no different than the receivers," said Chamblin.
There's been the idea floated around that perhaps Durant should be pulled from a game should the struggles continue. Chamblin however doesn't appear ready to make a change at quarterback unless the game is out of reach.
"There's never a thought to do that when you're in a tie game for most of the game," said Chamblin. "My thought when you're looking to put another quarterback in is when you're getting blown out."
So, I guess that settles that for now.
Another problem with the offense right now is their inability to deal with the blitz. Chamblin feels one way to stop the other team from blitzing so much is to run the football more. A strange thought considering they've basically shelved the run with Kory Sheets out. The good news is Sheets could return this week as he will practice, but Chamblin wouldn't say if he'll play just yet.
Another idea is more screen passes, but Chamblin feels no matter what they do it comes down to making plays.
"Whether it's five wides or whether it's two wides, we got to catch the ball, we have to throw the ball, we have to protect," said Chamblin. "There's a lot of different things we can do. At the end of the day it comes down to being fundamentally sound and doing the job we need to do."
Chamblin didn't get into specifics but didn't rule out roster changes Friday in B.C. One of those could be defensive back Rod Williams who signed with the team on Tuesday. Chamblin described the former Eskimo as a Weldon Brown type player who can play just about anywhere on the field.
Linebacker Abraham Kromah is eligible to come off the nine game injured list this week, but he won't play against the Lions.
