Big Blue expect Redblacks to mix it up

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This article was published 16/06/2022 (1187 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — Having run their offence for four years, including playing an integral role in their first Grey Cup victory in nearly 30 years, members of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers know Ottawa Redblacks head coach Paul LaPolice will have something up his sleeve when the two teams meet for a rematch at TD Place Friday night.

“I’m pretty sure he’ll throw something in, a wrinkle or two,” said Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson. “That’s a part of being a good offence, good defence, you don’t want to do the same thing over and over again. You want to try to keep teams guessing. So, we expect some, at least two or three new plays, some variations of the plays that they ran and some different formations and things like that. But other than that, as long as we can do what we need to do on defence, and stop them from getting in the end zone, it’s a good job for us.”

Led by a strong offensive effort, the Redblacks stunned the Bombers defence in the early going of last week’s season-opener at IG Field, racking up 243 yards of offence through the first two quarters. While Ottawa would outduel Winnipeg, racking up 431 offensive yards compared to 289 for the Bombers, they would ultimately lose the game, 19-17, on a last-minute field goal.

LaPolice, who was the Bombers offensive co-ordinator between 2016 and 2019, said he was encouraged by his club’s effort, even if the end result was disappointing. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli racked up 380 yards through the air in his Redblacks debut, with key free-agent signing, receiver Jaelon Acklin, finishing with a career-best 143 yards on six receptions.

“He’s seen a lot of pictures in his time. The thing that’s impressive with him is that he really sees coverage well,” LaPolice said of Masoli.

“I was really nervous about how to call a game for the guy. You always want to make sure you’re trying to put your players in positions to be successful. I’ve got a new guy and it’s not somebody I developed, it’s somebody who’s come in from other places, other experiences. So, I want to make sure I be honest to the things he’s good at, right? It’s been a great exercise of, ‘Oh, wow, he does this well. Open this up.’ And adjusting what we do to his strength. His ability to see coverage and his ability to throw the ball is very impressive, just how accurate a thrower he is.”

As for playing the same team in back-to-back weeks, LaPolice said it can be a bit of a guessing game.

“You got to figure out what they’re going to do differently, and then adapt and see what happens,” LaPolice said. “The other thing is, you do a lot of good things, you don’t want to change too many things, either, of what you did well. So, it’s an interesting chess match, the back to backs.”

LEADER OF MEN: Former Bombers receiver Darvin Adams is fitting right in with his new home in the nation’s capital. Adams spent six seasons in Winnipeg, racking up 4,667 receiving yards and 38 touchdowns, before signing with the Redblacks over the off-season.

While his play had fallen off over the last couple of years with the Bombers, at least when it comes to on-field production, Adams still brought a significant amount of leadership to the receiver’s group and was well respected by all his teammates. It’s those characteristics that has made his addition to the Redblacks a seamless transition.

“Definitely pleasantly surprised with how he carries himself off the field,” Masoli said. “I knew he was a dog on the field. Obviously, he’s been balling against my teams (in the past) a bunch of times and has had some big plays. I actually played against him in college so I’ve known what he can do for a long time. His leadership, off the field, is awesome. I’ve been telling him to talk more, be more vocal, cause the guys look up to him and he says a lot of great stuff.”

Adams has also been a great asset to LaPolice. The two were together in Winnipeg for four seasons, including Adams best year, in 2018, when he racked up 1,028 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

LaPolice has always coveted players who know his offensive system inside and out, so it makes sense he appreciates the addition of Adams this season. But it goes beyond just the x’s and o’s for the nine-year veteran and what he brings to a team with several other new pieces.

“What Darvin brings is he teaches guys how to communicate, right?” LaPolice said. “Whether your system is simple, complex, all that stuff, Darvin’s the best communicator we have; he tells everybody what to do. They all know what they’re doing, too, but he just reiterates. Those are some of the things that I think some of the guys who have been with me before have brought, just the level of communication that you want to make sure we’re all on the same page as much as we can. Darvin has just been outstanding with that.”

HOME FIELD HORRORS: TD Place hasn’t exactly been home-sweet-home for the Redblacks over the last couple seasons. Over the last 15 home games, Ottawa is a dismal 1-14, including 1-6 in 2021.

The hope is they can get off on the right foot this year, beginning with Winnipeg Friday night.

“We want to win each week, whether we’re playing home or away. You go from a place in Winnipeg, where you’re in a silent-count system and the crowd can affect you, and I thought the players managed it well,” LaPolice said. “Now they have to come to our place, and we’re talking about trying to make this the loudest place in the East. So, hopefully, we do the same. Just some more facets, offensively, are open to you when you’re not in a crowd-noise situation. Hopefully, we can utilize those.”

When pressed further about the importance of winning at home, LaPolice spoke about a conversation he had with new general manager Shawn Burke early into training camp.

“If you want to win your division, you better win at home,” LaPolice said. “We want to make sure we’re in the heat of things, so you want to win your home games.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton