Redblacks bringing potent offence to the field

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This article was published 17/08/2018 (2677 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When you think of the top offences in the CFL, the Ottawa Redblacks probably won’t be the first team that comes to mind.

You might think of the undefeated Calgary Stampeders, led by star quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. Or the Edmonton Eskimos might be the first team to pop into your brain, as their quarterback, Mike Reilly, was named the CFL’s most outstanding player a season ago and currently leads the league in touchdown passes and passing yards. And, of course, you can’t forget the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and their well-rounded attack, as no team has scored more points than the Blue and Gold in 2018.

But, while the top three teams in the West Division might get the most recognition, there’s a team out in the East that’s not too shabby at putting points on the board, either.

The Redblacks, who are averaging 25 points per game, have one of the most dynamic passing attacks in the league. Their star Canadian receiver, Brad Sinopoli, is having a career year, as he leads the league with 60 receptions, is third in receiving yards with 724, and has hauled in three touchdown passes. But it’s not just a one-man passing attack, as Ottawa has two more receivers in the league’s top 10 in both receptions and receiving yards, while the Bombers, who to be fair, are notorious for spreading the ball around, don’t have a single pass catcher in the top 10 in either category.

Six-year CFL veteran Greg Ellingson has 42 catches, good enough for fourth-most in the league, and 483 receiving yards, the eighth-most in the league. Redblacks teammate Diontae Spencer rounds out the top 10 receiving-yard leaders with 423 yards, and also has the seventh-most receptions with 38. But, Sinopoli said the recognition, or lack thereof, doesn’t matter to him and his teammates.

“Credit from people writing about us and talking about us, I don’t think any of that stuff really matters when it comes down to it,” said Sinopoli, who’s in his eighth season in the league. “What matters is, obviously, the wins and having success on the field. We can go 18-0 and have no one talk about us and we couldn’t care (less). That’s not what it’s about. As long as guys are confident in themselves and in the locker room — and trust each other and the coaches — that’s what truly matters at the end of the day.”

While the Redblacks’ offence might not get talked about as much as those on other teams, the Bombers are fully aware of what Ottawa can do. Ottawa quarterback Trevor Harris is having a strong season, as his 2,374 yards passing and nine touchdown tosses are both third-highest in the CFL.

Bombers defensive end Tristan Okpalaugo is no stranger to Harris, as they played together with the Toronto Argonauts from 2014 to 2015, when Harris was the backup to Ricky Ray.

“I love that guy, Trevor. Trevor is a great guy. He sat and learned under Ricky (Ray). You can see now he’s one of those guys now, one of the top-tier quarterbacks in this league. I’m excited to play him, it will be the first time I get to play him. Last year, I didn’t get to play him and chase him around or hit him or anything. I’m excited to play him this year,” said Okpalaugo, who missed six games last season due to injury.

Bombers linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox did get to chase Harris around last year, as he played in the two games against the Redblacks, with the Blue and Gold winning both contests. Santos-Knox said Harris can “put the ball in places that not many quarterbacks can” and added their running back, William Powell, who averages 4.94 yards per carry and has rushed for 608 yards this season, is “one of the most underrated running backs in the league.”

“They’re a great team, they’re first in the East for a reason,” Santos-Knox said.

“We’ve just got to play our game. When we do what we do, we say that we can’t be stopped. As long as we execute our assignments and fly around out there, we’ll be good.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @TaylorAllen31