REDBLACKS DB SEEMS TO HAVE MASOLI’S NUMBER
Baltimore already has a pair of picks against Ticats QB heading into East final
The CFL stats show that Redblacks defensive back Sherrod Baltimore has played 13 games in each of the last two seasons and has a couple of career interceptions.
Baltimore, however, takes exception to the numbers.
“I ain’t played no games this year,” said the 26-year old, clearly unhappy about his reduced role as a starter in 2018. “You watch the film ... I only played four games. I’ve got three picks in four games. I ain’t played this year.”
That third pick Baltimore refers to was either in a dream or it’s a premonition of what’s to come on Sunday, when a turnover could be the Redblacks’ ticket into the Grey Cup game.
The first interception of his career came at TD Place on Oct. 19, when he picked off a Jeremiah Masoli toss in the opening quarter. It led to a record-setting 52-yard field goal by Lewis Ward in Ottawa’s huge 35-31 win over the Ticats.
The second came the very next week in Hamilton, when he picked off Masoli early in the fourth quarter at the Redblacks’ 14-yard line, virtually eliminating any chance of a comeback by the home team.
Could he complete the hat trick against Masoli this weekend? Or is it possible Baltimore won’t have a chance, that he’s now in the head of the East’s Most Outstanding Player nominee?
“Nah, he’s probably going to throw right back at me,” Baltimore said. “I expect him to. I don’t expect him to respect me. He don’t know me.”
But Baltimore, who’s from Maine, is quite familiar with Masoli, who is four years his elder, grew up in California and went to school at Oregon and Mississippi.
“Masoli’s a great quarterback, man,” he said. “I love Masoli. I grew up watching Masoli. I was in high school and he was in college. I was watching him. He can run, he can throw ... “
He can give a DB anxiety.
“Is he taking off ? Do I leave my assignment and attack, get to him before he gets to the first down marker? Down in front, linebackers and linemen, I’ve got to see what the man’s doing!”
“You’ve got to lock on to your receiver and make it tougher, because he can extend plays with his feet, and just make the drive a little longer, so you’ve got to cover longer,” said Baltimore. “We’re going to have to bring our best, man. Cover our best this week. Especially now, in the playoffs. Everybody amps up their game.”
Of benefit to Baltimore is his upbringing. Other than his days as a receiver in high school, he grew up playing the quarterback position.
He knows how a pivot thinks. “For sure, it helps my whole mindset,” said Baltimore. “Me watching the film, the way I take coaching ... a lot of things. I feel like any quarterback that wants to play any position, you should accept him. He’s going to be the smartest. He’s going to be good, athletic. Brad Sinopoli played quarterback, too. Same thing.”
Some DBs have said that, to make a pick, they anticipate where the ball is going by watching the quarterback’s eyes. That sounds tricky from 40 yards away.
Baltimore has a simpler approach to interceptions.
“I feel that every time they throw at me, I have a chance,” he said. “They don’t throw to a DB as much. Any time they throw to you, there’s probably like a 50 per cent chance. I probably get like three tries a game, so one of them three tries I get is going to be a pick. I always think in my head, I’ve just got to catch it, just catch it. Just catch the ones they throw to you. Other than that, I’m just sharpening up on my technique. I’m just trying to cover, to make sure he (the receiver) don’t catch the ball.”
What did Baltimore think when watching Masoli and the Ticats destroy the B.C. Lions last week in the division semifinal?
“It’s like man ... I wish we played B.C.,” he said, laughing. “Nah, man. I feel like, come to play, man. They ain’t coming to play like that. We’ve got to make sure we show up. I’m glad I watched that, so I know to bring my ‘A’ game. I can’t come out sluggish. We can’t get too far behind. Once you get behind, it’s over.”
Baltimore will make only one prediction for the Eastern final.
“I know it’s going to be a hard fought game (coming down to the) fourth quarter,” he said. “They’re not going to give up, we’re not going to give up. They’re a good team, we’re a good team.”
And a third interception, in a third consecutive game against Masoli, could make all the difference.
“I stay humble man,” said Baltimore, offering no guarantees. “I just play.”