Riders hold off fledgling Redblacks
New club learns a lot from debut
Yes, the Ottawa Redblacks lost their first game 21-17 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
That the Redblacks fell short on the scoreboard on Saturday at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium meant much less in the grand scheme of things, however. Much more significant were the insights drawn from the games within that Canadian Football League pre-season game.
Presumed starter Henry Burris played only two series, but got the offence moving when he was behind centre.
homas DeMarco threw an interception, but also directed a 108-yard drive that began with a 26-yard completion to Fred Rouse and was resoundingly capped with a 60-yard pass-and-run touchdown by Travon Patterson.
The rookies competing for the third-string position did not jeopardize their chances and each had moments of success. Danny O’Brien (5for-14, 57 yards) threw several balls too high, but displayed good arm strength and mobility. Alex Carder (6-for-11, 70 yards) threw a bad interception, but also scrambled well and led a late drive that sparked hope of pulling out a victory until it fizzled just past mid-field.
“The biggest thing is it didn’t matter who was in there, we want to make sure we put ourselves in a position to win the game,” DeMarco said. “We came up short, but there are some things we can be proud of and some things we still need to work on.”
Jamill Smith, a rookie receiver/returner, may not have wrapped up a roster spot with Saturday’s performance, but he earned at least a long look in the final pre-season game against the Montreal Alouettes on Friday.
he first Ottawa player to get his hands on the ball, Smith nearly scored on that play, slashing through the Roughriders’ cover team for a 77-yard punt return to the Roughriders’ two-yard line. That set up the Redblacks’ first touchdown ever on a run by Chevon Walker. Smith also caught two passes for 29 yards and ran six yards on a reverse.
Among Ottawa runners, D.J. Harper was the most proficient with 35 yards on five attempts. However, only Harper (19) and Michael Hayes (12) managed single runs of more than seven yards.
“It wasn’t flashy work, but we did some good work in converting some second downs and keeping the drive going like we did at the end of the game,” Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell said. “So that part is the good news, but there’s some stuff that we have to improve on.” There certainly is. To start, the Redblacks did some nice work on defence, just not enough of it.
Good included a fumble recovered by Antoine Pruneau, an interception by T.J. Hill and quarterback sacks by Justin Capicciotti and Andrew Marshall. Not good included 175 yards rushing on 29 carries for the Roughriders.
Worse, though, was giving up 261 yards in kick returns, including a 75-yard touchdown romp by Marshay Green that gave the Roughriders life in the second quarter.
“We need to make sure on the cover team that we’re not looking for someone else to make the play,” Campbell said. “Everybody has to have the attitude that they’ll make the play.
“The returners in this league are good. You need to keep closing the distance, and you need to take your shots to make tackles.”
With three full practices and a walk-through scheduled before the pre-season finale against the Alouettes in Montreal (Friday, 7 p.m., TSN), Redblacks players were not on the practice field at Carleton University on Sunday. Instead, those who needed it were responsible for seeking medical treatment in the morning, and all were to attend a team meeting in early afternoon.
Beyond that, coaches and management were to huddle before releasing at least three players.
All CFL teams had until 11:59 p.m. to trim their rosters to 65, not including recent draft picks who had yet to appear in regular-season contests. In the Redblacks’ case, approximately 10 of the 74 players still in training camp fall in that exempt category.
The regular-season totals of 44 players on the active roster, two on the reserve list and 10 on the practice roster must be named by 10 p.m. Saturday, about 24 hours after the Redblacks face the Alouettes.
“We’ll be able to get more into it and what we are going to be doing during the regular season,” said defensive lineman Keith Shologan, one of five former Roughriders who received 2013 Grey Cup championship rings Saturday, “and it’s going to be a nice polish.”
That “polished” product is to be ready for the Redblacks’ first regular-season game against the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 3. There’s another road game July 11 against the Edmonton Eskimos before the Redblacks’ home debut at TD Place stadium against the Toronto Argonauts on July 18.