Redblacks counting on ex-Bombers

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This article was published 06/07/2021 (1531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was a forgettable 2019 CFL season for the Ottawa Redblacks. A team that was among the worst performers on offence and defence, the Redblacks finished with a league-worst 3-15 record, including losses in 15 of their final 16 games.

Ottawa was able to add a number of crucial pieces, perhaps no one being as important as head coach Paul LaPolice. LaPolice was the offensive co-ordinator in Winnipeg and played a key role in snapping the Blue Bombers nearly 30-year Grey Cup drought in what was the last CFL game to be played.

LaPolice will have his hands full trying to turn a loser into a winner, and it will start with rejuvenating an offence that put up just 20 offensive touchdowns in 18 games. Acquiring quarterback Matt Nichols, who led Winnipeg for years until a shoulder injury ended his 2019 campaign, should help balance the offence. But that won’t be enough to turn things around, as other areas will need to be improved upon as well.

Here is an early season preview of the Redblacks, in what is the sixth installment of a Free Press series titled, Around the CFL.

Three training camp stories.

Main target: The surprise retirements of Brad Sinopoli and Jalen Saunders has left the Redblacks with major holes to fill at receiver. The hope was that Sinopoli would return to form after having four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons snapped in 2019, and that Saunders, who averaged more than 75 receiving yards a game over two seasons in Hamilton, would be another major boost to an offence that put up the lowest amount of points (15.8) and total yards (293) per game across the entire CFL.

Some good news is RJ Harris returns after a strong sophomore seasonin which he reeled in 62 catches for 774 yards in 14 games. Beyond that, it’s pretty slim.

The Redblacks could move Anthony Coombs to receiver, playing a bit of a hybrid role that LaPolice used to have in Winnipeg with Nic Demski. Speaking of Winnipeg, former Blue Bomber Daniel Petermann, a Canadian, is also likely to start, with returning Americans DeVonte Dedmon, Jerminic Smith and Rafael Araujo-Lopes also in the mix.

Centre of attention: If losing Sinopoli and Saunders wasn’t enough, the Redblacks will also have to deal with the sudden retirement of centre Alex Mateas and the loss of Alex Fontana, who has decided not to play due to personal reasons. Mateas was a lock to start, and Fontana was his backup, throwing a massive wrench into the group that will be responsible for protecting Nichols.

The Redblacks started five Canadians on the O-line in 2019, but with Mateas and tackle Jason Lauzon-Sèguin no longer with the club, repeating that will be nearly impossible. Nolan MacMillan will start at right guard and Mark Korte will assume his spot at tackle. But that leaves three spots up for grabs and very little experience at the CFL level to fill them. I would expect Ottawa to try and make a trade to help offset the recent departures.

D-line makeover: The Redblacks have for years lacked a dominant player on the defensive line, the kind of playmaker that demands double coverage.

With only 28 sacks in 2019 — second fewest in the league, behind Montreal — a makeover was needed. The Redblacks brought in Cleyon Laing to help plug the middle. Laing, a Canadian, had seven sacks for the Toronto Argonauts two years ago and he’ll be expected to build on that this season.

Another intriguing piece is Stefan Charles, who was drafted 10th overall by the Edmonton Elks in 2013 but has been playing in the NFL ever since. At 33, health might be an issue, but if Charles can transition to the CFL game he might become a headache for opposing O-lines. Davon Coleman will push for a starting role on the interior as well.

The Redblacks aren’t exactly dominant on the edge, with Avery Ellis and free-agent pick up Frank Beltre expected to start at defensive end. There are some other options, but they’ll likely have to surprise at camp to earn a starting role.

Three players to watch

1) QB Matt Nichols — he was leading the CFL in quarterback rating, with a mark of 107.2, before a shoulder injury in Week 9 ended his 2019 season. He was 7-2 at that point, but another injury in what’s been a few over the last couple years has many wondering how much Nichols has left in the tank. More pressing, will he be able to withstand the beating he’s expected to get with an inexperienced O-line?

2) WR DeVonte Dedmon — he had his coming-out party in Week 8 of 2019, when he took a punt at his own 15-yard line and scampered 90 yards past a number of Montreal defenders for a touchdown. Not only was the speed impressive, but Dedmon also displayed a level of physicality few possess in the return game. In just five games, he returned two kicks for touchdowns, making many wonder what he has in store for 2021. That could also include a notable role on offence.

3) RB Anthony Coombs — given how thin the Redblacks are at receiver and LaPolice’s penchant to throw to versatile running backs, Coombs could be in store for a big season. That is, if the Winnipeg native can stay healthy. Coombs hasn’t played a full season since 2016, and has averaged fewer than 10 games person season over the last three years.

X-Factor: Head coach Paul LaPolice

LaPolice made it known in his season-preview press conference earlier this week that although his title might be head coach and OC, this is his team, and he’ll have final say over all areas of the club.

While one can admire the dedication to overseeing the whole operation, LaPolice will need time to figure out the offence. Simply put, the Redblacks look troubled again this year and there’s nothing to suggest they’ll improve on a dismal offence from 2019 — other than the fact LaPolice is known to get the most out of his group. It should be interesting to see what he can do, the Redblacks season is depending on it.

Final word

“I’ve been in situations as a head coach previously on a team that was picked to finish last in the East and we won first in the East. So, the noise outside the building is irrelevant to us. The people who are going to make the biggest difference in our success are the players in the room and the coaches.”

— Redblacks head coach Paul LaPolice

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton