QUIET DEADLINE LIKELY FOR REDBLACKS
There’s a pretty good chance the Ottawa Redblacks do nothing Wednesday before the CFL trade deadline hits.
But it’s not like there’s much action in the CFL. It’s usually more of a trade dud-line.
While the Redblacks made a deal with the Montreal Alouettes last season (acquiring national linebacker Chris Ackie in exchange for a second-round pick in this year’s draft), not much usually happens.
Asked if the Redblacks might make a deal, general manager Marcel Desjardins said: “I’d say it’s pretty remote. It depends.
I’m not shopping anybody. The question is are the calls going to come in? I got a text, but there’s nothing imminent. It’s not like we have a ton of surplus with all the guys we have hurt. We can’t just move somebody because we’re getting something back. We need to make sure we have somebody who can step in and play that spot. That’s where it gets tricky.”
The Als made the other trade-deadline deal a year ago, sending offensive lineman Philip Blake and fullback Patrick Lavoie to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for Canadian receiver
Joshua Stanford and a 2020 second-round pick. But right now, the Toronto Argos are the only team officially eliminated with the Redblacks soon to follow, so the pickings are slim. Could Toronto quarterbacks Zach Collaros or McLeod Bethel-Thompson or wide receiver Derrel Walker be available? Maybe. But those aren’t usually the kind of players who get dealt. It’s tough to find salary cap room to bring in a high-priced player.
“A lot of times, it’s more for depth,” Desjardins said. “(Teams) are not looking for an impact guy. The question is will they give up much (to acquire somebody) for a four-, six-, seven-game stretch? I think it’s partially due to cap limitations.”
ARNDT GETS THE REPS: Taking all the first-team reps this week should give QB Will Arndt an edge going into Friday’s game in Toronto with the 3-11 Redblacks taking on the 2-12 Argos, who Tuesday fired GM Jim Popp and replaced him with Michael (Pinball) Clemons. Spending most of this season as the Redblacks’ third-string QB, Arndt, who will be making his first regular-season start, has completed 20 of 36 passes for 185 yards with two interceptions.
“You know he’s going to be as prepared as anybody,” Desjardins said.
“It’s now just a function of translating that to the field in games. Coming in for certain situations in games is a lot different — especially if you’re down by a lot of points — than going into the game and being the starter and having those reps all week. Some of those times he’s played, he’s had no team reps during the practice week. It’ll be a lot different for him. I expect him to execute the game plan efficiently and make some plays for us.” FREE-AGENCY STRATEGY: In the 2019 free-agency period, the Redblacks focused more on bringing in supplementary pieces rather than breaking the bank on established stars. That philosophy may have to change before next season.
“Every year you have to adjust what you’re doing — how the season played out, how your roster is looking moving forward, how the long-term injuries play into the next year,” said Desjardins. “That’s all stuff we’ll deal with when the off-season hits.”
Will the team look to hit some home runs in free agency?
“We probably will at certain spots,” Desjardins said. “Of the (potential returning) guys we want back, do they want to be back? That will dictate whether or not we have to look for other answers if, for some reason, the guys don’t want to be here.”
Will the Redblacks look at entering the free-agent market with an eye on a potential starting quarterback?
“Yeah, for sure,” said Desjardins.
SLUMP BUSTERS: In the midst of a seven-game losing streak, the Redblacks are looking to get some momentum through their next four games — in Toronto, in Hamilton, back in Toronto, then Nov. 1 at home to Montreal to close out the regular season. Said Desjardins: “We want to see some of the new guys play and see how they do, it’s all part of the evaluation for next year.”
Coach Rick Campbell added, “We want to get back in the win column, it’s been too long.” SECOND AND LONG: Ottawa could go with an all-Canadian look at running back this week as Greg Morris and Brendan Gillanders have been getting reps. Asked if the team might sit starter Mossis Madu and go with Morris and Gillanders, Campbell said: “It’s definitely an option and we’re giving it a solid look.” ... There’s also a chance OL Stephane Nembot starts this week ... DB Brandin Dandridge (Missouri Western) could play this week. He’s been with the team for a month and a half ... The Redblacks are hopeful to get some of their injured players back in the next couple of weeks. WR Rafael Araujo-Lopes could play this week. Former Carleton Ravens DL Kene Onyeka is also back practising.
fame board of directors recently inducted five athletes, three builders and two in the coach/ manager class at its first awards celebration since 2009. The list of 10 honourees, which includes only one female, features Jamie Baker (hockey), Steven Black (high diving), Jeff Chychrun (hockey), Jed Tommy (football) and Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson (swimming) in the athlete category; Alex Foti (Nepean Hotspurs Soccer Club), Donald Kennedy (Nepean Minor Hockey Association) and Kevin Pidgeon (multiple associations and foundations) in the new builder class; and Duane Jones (Technosport founder) and Jim York (Nepean Minor Hockey Association) in the coach/manager class.
Martin Cleary’s High Achievers column appears bi-weekly on Wednesdays. If you know an athlete, coach, team or builder you consider a high achiever, contact Martin at martincleary51@gmail.com