McDuffie ready to turn on the jets
Redblacks hope returner/receiver will be a difference-maker against former team
In what Quincy McDuffie calls a “crazy coincidence,” the speed burner will very likely line up for his first game as an Ottawa Redblack against his old team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, on Friday night.
The Redblacks, with just one win and a tie to show for their first six games, are hoping the 26-year-old returner/receiver will be a difference-making weapon. With a total losing margin of 10 points so far this season, maybe McDuffie can provide that one or two more big plays the Redblacks are looking for.
“He’s a hard guy to play against, I know that,” Redblacks coach Rick Campbell said Tuesday following McDuffie’s first practice. “We think we have multiple good returners. This is another guy with great speed — not only can he be a good returner, but he can do some stuff on offence, too. We’ll see how it develops, but I’m all for guys who can run.
“Those guys who can run ultrafast, they get in the open field and it becomes a huge play and a touchdown. Those guys are difference-makers. If we can get a few plays out of him like that, that would be a good thing.”
McDuffie led the CFL in kickoff return average (27.7 yards) in 2016, returning 42 kicks for 1,165 yards and two touchdowns — one of which came here on Nov. 4, a 95-yard dash that helped Winnipeg beat Ottawa 33-20 in the regular-season finale. He also had 23 receptions for 241 yards and a touchdown.
Is he ready to step in and play four days after arriving?
“I know he’s not here for a tryout,” Campbell said. “We’re going to make sure he’s good to go and if he is, there’s a strong possibility he’ll be playing.”
McDuffie was released by the Bombers following last season to sign with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. He was waived in early June.
“I didn’t want to pull the plug on the States too fast,” McDuffie said. “After speaking with (Cowboys coach Jason) Garrett, he said to get healthy, the door wasn’t closed. That kind of had an impact on my decision. But I’d waited long enough. I was ready to get back going.
“I had options, but Ottawa showed the most interest. I’d heard a lot of positive vibes for (Ottawa) … and I’m here. Six weeks, I’d been grinding. I’m looking forward to being out here and making some plays.”
The graduate of the University of Central Florida previously spent two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. While wearing No. 18 at practice Tuesday, McDuffie will wear No. 16 on game day.
McDuffie has plenty of speed. His personal-best time in the 200 metres is 20.98 and his best in the 400 is 46.02 seconds. The Orlando native thought about chasing the Olympic dream when he was in high school, but he injured his back in the first game of his senior year and missed the rest of the season. The injury also prevented him from being heavily recruited and he wound up at Central Florida. While there, McDuffie scored six kickoff return touchdowns.
“It created a big chip on my shoulder,” McDuffie said. “I knew what I was capable of, it was just a matter of getting the opportunity. There’s definitely a lot to prove. I’m not going to overdo it, I’m just focused on what I can control, being me, and I’ll let everything else take care of itself.”