Trying to avoid big mistakes now Job 1
Tear the team apart, fire the coach, bench the starting quarterback — those are the most laughably ridiculous solutions some “fans” are calling for to fix what ails the Ottawa Redblacks.
With just a tie in four games, the Redblacks — who, might I add, are the defending Grey Cup champions — are looking to get on the winning track Wednesday night at home against Montreal. It’s just five days after a tough 23-21 loss at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.
Then, with just four more days of rest, the Redblacks will play in Toronto, where they’ll try and beat the Argos, another division rival.
“We’re just going to keep playing ball,” said Redblacks quarterback Trevor Harris after a shortened practice on Monday at TD Place.
Harris, for those calling for him to occupy a spot on the bench, has thrown for 1,379 yards (third in the CFL) and eight touchdowns (first in the CFL) in the four games. He has had a hand in the mistakes — his pass which bounced off Brad Sinopoli’s hand in Edmonton was ruled a lateral and the touchdown scored by former Redblacks defensive back Brandyn Thompson was a backbreaker. “It’s the small things that are turning into big things. A lot of times, it feels like the same story. We’re making one big mistake and it’s costing us big-time. If we can eliminate a big play in each game, we’re 4-0 right now and everybody’s talking about how great we are. It’s a matter of one or two plays in each game. The great teams learn, the bad teams don’t — they continue to make those mistakes.”
In their past 18 regular season games, the Redblacks have just five wins and a tie (there is, of course, that Grey Cup victory sandwiched in between the 2016 and 2017 regular seasons).
“Our biggest issue is turnovers, which is part of big plays,” said Redblacks coach Rick Campbell. “A lot of games are determined by those big momentum-changing plays. We need to create more and give up less. That’s the difference between winning and losing. When we win the turnover battle and the penalty battle, we don’t get beaten.
“We’ll be looking to make more plays. Part of that is hustle and good things will happen. You can’t start making stuff up, you just play hard.”
After the loss to Toronto a week and a half ago, the Redblacks released cornerback A.J. Jefferson. Don’t expect any significant changes in the near future, but it’s not like the Redblacks are going to get complacent, either.
“We always strive for continuity,” Campbell said. “At the same time, we’re not afraid to get better whether we’re winning or losing.
“We’re in the business to win games, that’s the bottom line. We understand that, we get the urgency of getting in the win column. At the same time, whether you win or whether you lose, you need to evaluate what you’re good at and what you’re not good at so you can improve. You don’t want to let your opinions get skewed and adjust things for the sake of change. We have a whole bunch of things that are right about this and a whole lot of really good players and we’re going to continue to work to get better.”
THE WOUNDED
The Redblacks are a bit banged up following the Edmonton game. Some of the players who didn’t seem like they were involved much Monday: Nick Taylor, Khalil Bass and Jerrell Gavins. “The hope is changes will be very minimal because of injury,” Campbell said. “Nick Taylor is the biggest question mark right now. He’s getting looked at by a doctor, that’ll determine where he’s at.”
It’s the small things that are turning into big things. A lot of times, it feels like the same story. We’re making one big mistake and it’s costing us big-time. TREVOR HARRIS
BEHIND THE STATS
3Down-Nation’s Justin Dunk reported that the Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed former Redblacks DB AJ Jefferson. ... In the Red Zone (inside the opposition’s 20-yard line), the Redblacks have scored eight touchdowns in 12 attempts for a 66.7 per cent success rate. Their opponents have cashed in for just six touchdowns in 16 tries (37.5 per cent) . ... Ottawa is minus-6 in turnovers (they’ve given up eight and had just two) . ... While they’re listed as being 4-of-7 in converts, that’s a bit skewed by a bad snap/hold resulting in a kick that never got off, plus one that was ruled a miss that really looked like it should have counted . ... Inside 40 yards, kicker Brett Maher is 7-for-7 in field goals.
THE END AROUND
These next two games could put the Redblacks right back into the swing of things in the CFL East. Both Montreal and Toronto, the next two opponents for Ottawa, have two wins and two losses . ... The next Redblacks QB Club is Aug. 15, from 6-8 p.m., at Ralph’s Neighbourhood Sports Bar, 1990 Russell Rd . ... After finishing their tough stretch of three games in 11 days, the Redblacks will have some time off before they play again Aug. 4, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in town. Later next month, Aug. 26, the Redblacks will host the B.C. Lions for a 3:30 p.m. game (it’s a Saturday).