Redblacks looking to defend title with Harris as starting QB
OTTAWA — Trevor Harris won’t call the Redblacks his team, but much of Ottawa’s success or failure this season will fall at his feet.
The 30-year-old Harris will be a starting quarterback for the first time in his professional career as Ottawa chases its second straight Grey Cup title.
Harris, who is in his second season with the Redblacks, has played a significant role for a CFL team before, but there was always a veteran pivot waiting in the wings to take over.
First it was Ricky Ray in Toronto, and last season it was Henry Burris. Now it’s all up to Harris. “If stuff goes wrong it’s blamed on the head coach the (offensive) co-ordinator and the QB,” said Harris. “It’s a lot different, but I didn’t know it would feel this different because it’s been so long since I’ve been the guy going into a camp.
“I’ve taken the experiences from working with all those other guys and I’m just trying to add new things to my bag and trying to become the best player I can be and now we’ll see if it’s enough.”
There is already a comfort and confidence level between Harris and the players. He had great success early on last season before he suffered a leg injury and was replaced by Burris.
“The biggest trait a quarterback can have is that the team thinks they have a chance to win with a guy, and everyone around here believes we can win with Trevor,” said head coach Rick Campbell. “Trevor is a very steady guy and he doesn’t try to be something he’s not. He’s a guy that leads by what he does on the field and his work ethic and I know the guys respect that.”
The Redblacks have lost significant contributors to its offence with the departure of receivers Chris Williams and Ernest Jackson, but they are confident Kenny Shaw and Diontae Spencer, who both played in Toronto with Harris, will be solid additions.
The Redblacks come in as the defending champs and will host the Grey Cup game this season, but say they can’t get caught up in any hype.
“This is a new version of the Redblacks and we’re trying to evolve and be a better team than we were last year,” said coach Rick Campbell.