McDuffie talked to Blue, but Redblacks came up with the green

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/08/2017 (2981 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — Money talks.

That was the underlying takeaway in a brief conversation with former Winnipeg Blue Bombers return man Quincy McDuffie. McDuffie signed with the Ottawa Redblacks Tuesday and will be in the lineup when they play the Bombers Friday night at TD Place.

“It was small talk,” McDuffie, speaking to reporters after the Redblacks walk-through Thursday, said when asked if the Bombers had reached out to him. “Actions speak louder than words. Ottawa was showing more interest and there were positive vibes out this way from a lot of former guys I played with in the past, and here I am.”

That interest, according to multiple sources, translates to about $100,000 for the remaining 12 games.

“They weren’t as aggressive but at that point in time Ottawa was showing the most interest,” he added.

McDuffie played the 2016 season with the Blue and Gold, finishing the year with a CFL-best 27.7-yard kickoff-return average and his two touchdowns league record for most kickoff return scores in a single season.

It was the kind of performance that warranted the 26-year-old native of Orlando, Fla. another shot at the NFL (he had a short three-month stint with the Denver Broncos in 2013). The Bombers, who owned his rights until the Feb. 14 free-agency deadline, were “kind” enough to release him ahead of that date in order to pursue an opportunity with the Dallas Cowboys.

“It was a good experience,” McDuffie said. “I learned a lot in my time there and saw what it takes to be a Dallas Cowboy. Unfortunately, things played out the way they did but I wouldn’t change anything that occurred because it was a lesson and a big part of my journey.”

McDuffie signed with the Cowboys on Jan. 31 but was waived in early June, leading to what seemed like weekly conversations with Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea about whether the team was interested in signing the speedy receiver again.

Winnipeg likely would have been interested, too, if they didn’t already have a more-than-serviceable replacement in Ryan Lankford. Lankford, 25, leads the CFL with a 27.3-yard kickoff-return average through the first six weeks.

He’s also proven to be reliable as a receiver, filling in for an injured Weston Dressler midway through last week’s thrilling come-from-behind victory over the Montreal Alouettes. Lankford, who spent last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, caught a four-yard touchdown that sparked the comeback against the Alouettes. In total, he has nine catches for 69 yards.

“Ryan Lankford has already scored on a kickoff return this year,” added O’Shea. “He’s going to do well for us and when he gets into play receiver he’s fast, he’s smart. There’s no complaints with our roster that way.”

FORMER BOMBER BASS LOVING CAPITAL CITY

As a member of the Bombers, linebacker Khalil Bass would treat himself to a juicy steak at 529 Wellington the night before each game. Since signing with the Ottawa Redblacks in the off-season, Bass has found a new spot — Luxe, in Ottawa’s Byward Market — to get his fix before kickoff.

It’s just one of things Bass loves about his new home.

“It’s a nice little city; a little more busy than Winnipeg,” Bass said. “I brought my girlfriend out here from Winnipeg so it’s been a good time.”

Bass, who led the Bombers in tackles in the 2015 and 2016 seasons with a total of 181 in 35 games, is off to a slower pace this year. He has 20 tackles through the first five games — sixth-best on the Redblacks — and knows he can be better. It isn’t just Bass who has room for improvement; the Redblacks are 1-4-1 this year, better than only the 0-5 Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“It’s been pretty good — it can be a lot better,” Bass said of his play. “As a team we just got to be better — get over the hump and just finish these games out.”

Bass hopes that will come against Winnipeg Friday, the first time he’s lined up against them since his departure.

“I’m still friends with all the guys out there, so I hope they do well,” Bass said. “Just not well against us.”

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.