Redblacks’ global players deserve a chance to play
Villalobos and Maltos have been given no on-field time, but reasons are complicated
As the Ottawa Redblacks wind down what’s been an agonizingly long and difficult season — any conversation about what’s ahead has to deal with the now and that’s nine straight losses and a 3-13 record — there’s an ongoing evaluation of what’s salvageable for 2020.
Soon enough, the organization’s higher-ups will figure out if they should bring back GM Marcel Desjardins and coach Rick Campbell for next season — and they should — but it still seems likely there will be significant changes on and off the field.
One thing puzzles me, though, as the team pushes forward into its final two games. And it involves the Redblacks’ two global players: receiver Guillermo Villalobos and kicker Jose Maltos. Neither has played. Oh, they’ve been in uniform, but Villalobos hasn’t caught a pass and Maltos hasn’t kicked a ball in the regular season. Now that Ottawa is “officially” out of the playoffs, why not let them play and see what they’ve got? A good time would be Saturday in Toronto. An away game. Why not?
But that may not be the direction the Redblacks are heading with this one.
“I sure am impressed with both our global guys,” said Redblacks coach Rick Campbell following Tuesday’s practice. “We really would like to get a look at (Villalobos). He shows a lot of promise. The thing with the global guys is they’re basically Americans, they can’t replace a Canadian (for roster ratio purposes). That makes it a bit harder to do, but it doesn’t mean we can’t do it. We’d definitely like to see him before the end (of the season) so we know what he’s about — not just in practice, but in games.
“I don’t care where he’s from; he’s a good player.”
OK, so why not put Villalobos onto the field to replace an American for one game? Also, why not sit Lewis Ward, the league’s best kicker, for one game to give Maltos a chance?
“We don’t want to turn this into a massive experiment,” said Campbell.
OK, rant over. The Redblacks, who will again start Will Arndt at quarterback this week, are getting ready to face the Argos in the battle for the basement — both teams have 3-13 records.
“It has been a tough run, but we’re going to go out and play football,” Campbell said. “In fact, I look at it that we get to play football for two more games. The off-season will be a long time. I’m looking forward to coming out here every day, getting to practise and play games because I know it’s going to be over soon.”
SECOND AND LONG: Was looking at the CFL Simulation, which obviously lists the Redblacks as eliminated, their chances of making the playoffs at 0.0 per cent. Had to chuckle. Reminded me of the scene in the movie Animal House. Dean Wormer (John Vernon) calls in the boys from Delta House and reads their midterm grade-point averages, looking up sternly at John Belushi’s Bluto character, who has a pencil sticking out of each nostril, slowly saying: “Mr. Blutarsky ... 0.0.” The movie also reminds me of the guys I lived with in a house a block from Wilfrid Laurier University all those years ago. Might have been a few toga parties at that place ... For their final game of the season — Nov. 1 at home versus Montreal — the Redblacks’ WOW food item will be the O -Line Sized Chili in a Bread Bowl. The beef chili will be served in a sourdough bread bowl topped with a drizzle of cilantro creamy and crispy onions on a bed of tortilla chips. It’ll be available at the Smoking Pig on the South Main Concourse and the Glebe Grill on the North Upper Concourse. Since it’ll likely be cold, the Redblacks are also offering a “spiked coffee” ... Back to the CFL Simulation: the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are listed as having a 44.52 per cent chance of winning the Grey Cup followed by Saskatchewan at 41.99 . ... The Eskimos will be the crossover team, moving over to the East Division to face the Montreal Alouettes in the semifinal. The winner will play the Tiger-Cats for the East championship. This marks the fourth consecutive year a team has crossed over — a CFL record ... Of the teams in the East Division semifinal playoff game, the CFL Simulation lists Montreal at 0.91 per cent, while Edmonton is at 0.57.
GETTING BETTER: DB Antoine Pruneau and RB John Crockett, both on the six-game injured list, were in uniform Tuesday. Asked if it’s possible Pruneau, the team’s starting safety, will play again this season, Campbell said, “It’s possible. I’ve been thinking that way and I know he has, too. But we’re going to make sure we’re smart with that guy. If he’s going to play, he’s going to be 100 per cent. There’s no sense him going into the off-season with a setback. We’re just making sure he’s good to go. I know he’s excited to have a helmet and jersey back on and be running around. If he can go this week or next, we’ll do it. But he’s definitely going to have to be healthy enough to do it.”