OBSERVERS LEFT GUESSING WHEN IT COMES TO NICHOLS
Maybe it's a lot of noise about nothing, but the Ottawa Redblacks have to be concerned about their starting quarterback.
Matt Nichols hasn't fully participated in a practice since last week. He's on the field each day, wearing his red No. 16 jersey, standing alongside the other quarterbacks — Dominique Davis, Taryn Christion and Caleb Evans — but he does very little throwing. When the first-team offence lines up against the defence, Nichols watches.
What's wrong? We don't know, for sure.
The 34-year-old Nichols, who signed with the Redblacks in late January, had shoulder surgery 22 months ago. Is the shoulder acting up? Is something a little stiff ? Is he experiencing arm fatigue? Or, with a long training camp under July heat, are the Redblacks taking no chances with a guy they need to be slinging the ball through a 14-game regular season, then possibly into the playoffs? Any of the above could be true. But we don't know.
Asked about Nichols during Thursday's media Zoom call, Redblacks head coach Paul LaPolice said the Redblacks are doing whatever it takes to get Nichols ready for the season-opener
Aug. 7 in Edmonton.
“All the quarterbacks are sore, Matt was a little sore,” said LaPolice. “I'm not going to get into what it is. He needed some time off so we gave him some time off. I'd rather he made sure his arm's not sore. We want to make sure we're not pushing him. We feel he'll be ready (for Aug. 7).”
Having their first-string quarterback ready is the main thing. But missing reps in camp — after a full season away and trying to develop timing with a new set of receivers — isn't good.
Maybe Friday or even Saturday — with the team holding an intersquad scrimmage at TD Place — we'll get a better idea.
It's likely Nichols will be behind centre soon and it will be as if nothing ever happened — if he was really hurt, he wouldn't even be at practice, right? Or maybe there's more ... and a reason for the team to worry.
SECOND AND LONG
Lewis Ward kept busy during his time away from the CFL. He got a full-time job as an access control screener at Kingston General Hospital and worked there from November until just before he had to report to Ottawa for training camp. The former University of Ottawa kicker, who set a professional football record with 69 consecutive field goals, also lists on his resume jobs at Toys “R” Us, The Keg Steakhouse and working security. During the winter months, there wasn't much he could do in terms of actually kicking a football, but he worked out at UFIT Kingston and had a program geared toward his needs on the football field.
FLYIN' RYAN
As an undrafted receiver out of Auburn, Ryan Davis opened eyes with a good showing at the New England Patriots training camp in 2019 — he caught three passes in the pre-season and was among the team's final roster cuts. A year later, he played for the XFL's Tampa Bay Vipers, under former CFL head coach Marc Trestman.
Fast-forward to now, the 24-year-old is looking to earn a roster spot with the Redblacks.
“I feel like everything happens for a reason,” said Davis, who has gotten first-team reps in camp. “Where I'm at now, I feel it's the right place, right time. It's up to me to show the coaches I'm worthy of being on this team and that I am the player they think I am. I really don't put pressure on myself. At the end of the day, it's pro ball and I'm grateful to be in this position. Any chance you get to get paid for playing a game you love, it's a blessing and an opportunity.”
The versatile Davis was a record-setting high school quarterback in Florida. Converted to a receiver, he left Auburn as the school's all-time leader in receptions with 178. And now, he's getting a chance to show what he can do on a wider and longer football field.
“I feel I can adapt to any kind of game,” he said. “But, definitely, this style of game — passing and receiver friendly — it fits my skill set with the waggle, my speed and my ability to run routes.”
A student of the game and with experience at the quarterback position, Davis is ready for the challenge ahead. Asked to describe his game, he said: “I'm electric, I'm dynamic, I think I'm a good overall player. You can put me at quarterback, running back, I can do a lot of different things. I feel I'm one of those weapons you can plug in.”
Matt was a little sore. I’m not going to get into what it is. He needed some time off so we gave him some time off.
THE END AROUND
Several offensive linemen aren't practising — Ben Petrie is the latest one sidelined. Three offensive linemen have been signed in the past week. Jack Kramer and Nick Buchanan will be eligible to practise Saturday. Taylor Tappin, whose signing was announced Wednesday, will be eligible to practise Monday. Asked if it becomes worrisome with the dwindling number of linemen and the injuries piling up, LaPolice said: “I've been in this league for 20 years. There are times when guys get injured, there are times when guys need days off. With COVID protocols, it's hard to get the next guys in.” ... Running back Timothy Flanders took a down day Thursday ... Running back Justin Davis will be eligible to practise Friday ... The Redblacks have added DB Johnathan Alston from their suspended list ... K Tyler Crapigna, who's from Ottawa, was released by Montreal earlier this week, then picked up by Winnipeg.