HEBERT FRUSTRATED BY HELMET HITS
Redblacks’ linebacker believes not all head contact treated same way
While Kyries Hebert was on the sideline serving his one-game suspension for a nasty flying hit on Calgary Stampeders receiver DaVaris Daniels the week before, he witnessed a helmet-to-helmet hit that has so far gone unpunished.
And he wonders why. Is there more leniency given to offensive players who lower the helmet? Is it more personal, is the CFL keeping a closer eye on Hebert, the Ottawa Redblacks linebacker?
The hit by Montreal Alouettes running back Tyrell Sutton, who lowered his head and “trucked” Redblacks defensive back Corey Tindal Thursday, was glorified in social media circles and TSN sure played it up. Problem is, the hit, as great as it looked on video, may have been illegal, worthy of a penalty and maybe a league fine.
Said Hebert: “They glorify it on TSN, ‘Oh, wow, he timed it up, he’s amazing, watch how he just throws himself in there.’ I do something and it’s like, ‘Oh, that’s disgusting.’ I think they’re full of s--t, the people who glorify it one day and talk down on it the next day. It’s amazing how they don’t say anything about that (hit). I guess sometimes it’s OK.”
Asked if it was a different standard if that kind of hit is made on offence as opposed to defence, Hebert said: “I think it varies by people. You see short-yardage plays, linebackers coming down and hitting the quarterback in the head. If it were me, it would probably be (a suspension), but I don’t think for an offensive player, no. I’m responsible for my hit. I respect the commissioner’s decision and I suffered my consequences.”
It’s really a grey area. Players carrying the ball lower the head and lean forward. If a defender comes in with head lowered looking to make a tackle, there’s helmet-to-helmet contact.
“I guess it’ll never be perfect,” said Hebert. “It’ll be a good way to get revenue. If a guy tries to hit in the strike zone and the helmets drop and the helmetto-helmet hit happens — for the most part, it’s a fineable offence. You really have to take the strike zone a lot lower and prepare for people to duck their heads.”
GET YOUR TICKETS
There are still tickets, lots of them, available for Thursday’s (7:30 p.m.) home game vs. the Calgary Stampeders. On paper, it’s a terrific matchup — the undefeated (3-0) Stampeders vs. the 2-1 Redblacks.
As unlikely as it may seem, history would dictate the game may go to overtime. The last two times the Stamps played here, the game ended in an overtime tie. The time before that, in 2015, Ottawa won 29-26, again in overtime.
Two weeks ago, in Calgary, the Stampeders won 24-14 (Ottawa trailed 10-7 after three quarters). Last year, the teams played to a 31-31 overtime tie at TD Place and the Stampeders won their home matchup 43-39. And in 2016, the Redblacks won the Grey Cup by beating the Stampeders 39-33 in overtime. So, yep, it always seems to be a nail-biter when these teams get together.
Asked if he was expecting another overtime game against the Stampeders, Redblacks coach Rick Campbell said: “If the Redblacks have more points at the end, I don’t care how it gets done — as long as the home team has more points, I’m good.”
Asked about the back-andforth excitement of games between the two teams, he said: “It’s been tight, even the game we played a couple of weeks ago was (close) toward the end of the game. It’s two good football teams playing. Calgary makes you beat them, they don’t beat themselves.
“You can see the way this league is going to be this year, you want to cash in on any chance in the league — the talent level in the league is pretty similar. We’re playing the only undefeated team in the league so it’s a great opportunity, for sure.”
The forecast is calling for a beautiful night with clear skies. It’s also Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night with a flyby scheduled.
INJURY UPDATE
Offensive lineman Jon Gott, who was knocked out of the game in Montreal, took it easy in practice Monday. Asked about Gott’s health, Campbell said jokingly, “He’s old,” then added, “Jon’s good to go, we’re just making sure we maintain guys — we’ve got a long season ahead of us.”
Through three games of the regular season, the Redblacks have gone relatively injury free (offensive lineman Nolan MacMillan remains out). Asked about the good fortune as far as injuries go, knock on wood, Campbell said: “We’re trying to do a good job and working hard and doing everything we need to do. At the same time, we wanted to sustain excellence — part of that is sustained health. We’re trying to do a good job of maintaining these guys, it’s a long season. Part of it is being smart, part of it is luck. We want to do what we can with the part that we can control in keeping people as healthy as we can.”
The end around: The Redblacks have a Quarterback Club Wednesday, 6-8 p.m., at the Prescott. Scheduled guests are Diontae Spencer, William Powell and Canadian Football hall of famer and former Ottawa Rough Rider Jeff Avery (you can also hear his voice on TSN 1200 broadcasts of Redblacks games) ... The CFL is looking to get national media to pay more attention to its weekly matchups. Scheduled for a media conference call on Tuesday are Ottawa’s Trevor Harris and William Powell and Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell and DaVaris Daniels ... Bodog.ca listed the Stampeders as three-point favourites this week ... After serving his onegame suspension, Hebert will be back vs. Calgary. Said Hebert: “I’m excited. It was hard watching the boys. But I try to stay as involved as possible, talking with the younger linebackers, giving information on things I see, just trying to help the best I could.”