‘We’re going to make it tough on him:’ Riders’ defence preparing for Fajardo

Many of the players on the defence practised against Fajardo for years as the pivot was Saskatchewan’s starter from 2019 through ’22. The Roughriders are to face Fajardo and the Als on Friday in Montreal.

“That’s a former teammate, a great player and he can move the pocket. He can move around with his legs and make good throws,” said Saskatchewan linebacker Derrick Moncrief. “We’re looking forward to the challenge, though. We’re going to make it tough on him.”

Moncrief and Fajardo were teammates in 2019 and once again when the linebacker rejoined the Roughriders in 2022.

While Moncrief said having familiarity with the opponent can be positive, it’s not the only thing you can rely on.

“They have a new wrinkle over there with the offence. They are predominantly run-heavy and try to take some shots and get the ball out on the perimeter,” Moncrief said. “We just have to muddy up our looks and just come out and execute.”

It’s not just Fajardo who is familiar with how the Riders’ defence can operate; current Als head coach Jason Maas was Saskatchewan’s offensive co-ordinator for the 2021 and ’22 seasons.

“(He’s a) phenomenal coach and a phenomenal play-caller,” Moncrief said. “He can dial up some stuff so we’ve got to be ready.”

In 2022, with Fajardo at the helm for most of the season, the Riders surrendered 77 sacks. The Riders’ defence will try to have the veteran quarterback feeling some deja vu this week as it tries to put the pressure on the 31-year-old quarterback.

Last week in the team’s 26-24 win over the Ottawa Redblacks, the Riders’ defence got to the quarterback six times.

One of those sacks was by rookie Canadian defensive end Lake Korte-Moore, his first sack as a pro football player.

“It was amazing but I definitely want a lot more after that one,” Korte-Moore said. “I have that feeling I just want to keep getting more and more. On the day, it was really special as well because the defensive line all just went after it.”

Korte-Moore believes the defensive line can keep that pressure up this week despite how mobile Fajardo can be due to the fact the defenders just held another mobile pivot – Ottawa’s Dustin Crum – in the pocket for most of their last game.

“We just played with all four of us and we didn’t really use a spy because we trust each other and we know how to pass rush together,” Korte-Moore said. “A big thing in our D-line room is to rush four as one because we all know we can get there and we all trust that at least one of us will be able to get there.

“We know Cody can get out of the pocket as well but I think we all trust each other and our back end – our defensive backs and our linebackers – trust that we are going to keep Cody in the pocket and get him down a lot.”

The status of Fajardo for the game does carry a question mark heading into the game. He has been dealing with a shoulder injury and is considered a game-time decision.