REDBLACKS BRACING FOR AERIAL ASSAULT
Roughriders’ receiving corp presents daunting challenge in playoff matchup
If the Saskatchewan Roughriders go bombs away Sunday, the Ottawa Redblacks believe their young group of defensive backs will step up.
If the Redblacks want to beat the Roughriders Sunday at TD Place and move onto the Canadian Football League East final in a week, they’re going to need to figure out a way to stop Duron Carter (1,043 receiving yards), Naaman Roosevelt (1,035 yards in 14 games) and a supporting cast of very good receivers (Bakari Grant had 1,033 yards, while Chad Owens and Rob Bagg are also threats). There’s a pretty good chance the Saskatchewan offensive game plan involves either Kevin Glenn or Brandon Bridge trying to lob passes behind an Ottawa defence that’s been vulnerable at times.
With so much on the line, Ottawa’s defensive backs say they’re up for the task. Limiting big plays is a must for the Redblacks.
“We’ve given up some big plays, we need to improve on that,” said Redblacks coach Rick Campbell. “We made a commitment to go with some younger guys, guys like (Corey) Tindal, (Sherrod) Baltimore and (Adrian) James. They’re good players and they’re going to keep getting better and better.”
“We just have to win our 1-on-1s and take care of the deep balls,” said Tindal. “They’re going to come at us and we have to make plays. This is the time for it: playoffs. Keep the ball in front of us. If you don’t score, you don’t win.”
The Redblacks have given up plenty of passing yards this season, an average of 316.6 per game, better only than Hamilton and Winnipeg. But with a tough run defence, they’ve also allowed an average of just 25.1 points per game, third best in the CFL.
In their two games against the Roughriders this season, the Redblacks lost 18-17 (blowing a 17-point lead) at home Sept. 29, then rallied to win 33-32 in Saskatchewan. As cornerback Jonathan Rose noted, the defensive backs get a good tune-up each day, practising against what he called “the best receiving corps in the league.”
“You keep fighting,” said Rose. “Plays are going to be made both ways, you just try to make sure you win more than you lose and when you lose it’s not a touchdown.”
“At the beginning, you let the game come to you,” said safety Antoine Pruneau. “You feel out the receiver a bit. When you feel comfortable, that’s when you have to put your foot on the pedal and make some plays.”
While the Redblacks need to pay close attention to the electric Carter, who had 231 yards in catches the last time the teams met, the defenders can’t overadjust.
“It would be a mistake to put all the focus on him,” said Pruneau. “We’re not going to change the way we play because Duron Carter’s on the field. You can’t be scared, you have to be confident when you’re playing against a guy like him.”
“We don’t put any extra coverage or extra time into that one man,” said Rose. “But when he’s out there, if he’s on my side, I have to take him out of the play because he might be the first option. If I can take that first option away, we have a better chance of winning that down.” JUST ANOTHER GAME: When asked about Sunday’s game, if it has added meaning because it’s his first CFL playoff start, Redblacks QB Trevor Harris said: “Honestly, it’s another game. I’m not treating it any differently. It’s a football game. There are 12 people on defence and 12 people on offence, so I’m going to treat it the same. The stakes are higher, which makes it more fun. Is it going to be much different than when we’re down 12 points with five minutes left and you need two scores in two drives? I don’t think the intensity is different. It’s like, ‘Oh, it’s playoffs, you have to try harder.’ If you have to try harder in the playoffs, are you trying hard to begin with?” THE QUOTABLES: Asked about costly mistakes being a big part of the Redblacks’ slow start to the season, Harris said: “We shot ourselves in the foot quite a bit, that’s why we started (1-6-1). Obviously it’s a do-or-die situation in the playoffs. If you shoot yourselves in the foot now, it’s season over. You get to watch the playoffs instead of playing. We got all those out of our system earlier this year, hopefully we don’t do that this week ... Asked about his team getting a chance to play again after two byes in the final three weeks of the regular season, Campbell said: “We’ve only played one football game in a month, so our guys are itching to get on the field. This is a fun time of year. It’s playoff football. The way you win football games doesn’t change, whether it’s the regular season or playoffs.” NEVER FORGET: At 11:11 a.m. Saturday, the Redblacks will stop whatever they’re doing and observe a moment of silence for Remembrance Day. Said Campbell: “We’ll just be getting done with walk-through and we’ll be recognizing it for sure. I have a ton of respect for all those people who put their lives on the line and the history behind it. I appreciate the sacrifices, for sure.” THE INJURY REPORT: Will Jon Gott shift back to centre with Alex Mateas moving to right guard Sunday? Said Campbell: “We haven’t officially made a decision. Alex and Jon can play either position. It comes down to where we think we can communicate the best way and also it’s a little about the matchup. We’ll talk about that and confirm that (Saturday). Returner/receiver Quincy McDuffie likely won’t be back. Said Campbell: “It doesn’t look like it, but we haven’t ruled him out.”
We just have to win our 1-on-1s and take care of the deep balls. They’re going to come at us and we have to make plays.