Redblacks need to figure out what's going right
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For the Ottawa Redblacks right now, it’s as much figuring out what’s right as it is trying to put a finger on what’s wrong.
In fact, plenty went right offensively on Saturday in a 40-33 loss to the B.C. Lions in Vancouver. Just not right enough, according to Redblacks quarterback Trevor Harris, who was asked Tuesday what it was like to be involved in a shootout.
“I was asked a similar question my last game in college when we lost 84-63,” said Harris. “It was crazy. It’s just not enjoyable. We want to come out on the right end.”
Harris was referring to a wild loss by his Edinboro University team to West Liberty University. In that game, in 2009, Harris completed 50 passes for 630 yards. On Saturday, against B.C., he completed 32 passes for 485 yards, torching the Lions secondary.
While there are positives to take from the offensive effort, Harris said there’s still some fine tuning to do in all aspects as the Redblacks head down the stretch — with five games remaining in the CFL regular season and Saskatchewan in Ottawa on Friday.
“It felt like we executed well, we just didn’t finish down the stretch,” said Harris. “It’s disappointing because we want to come through in those situations, Grey Cup teams do. We just have to keep our arrow pointing up. I feel good about where we’re at and where we’re headed.”
“There were a lot of positives,” Redblacks coach Rick Campbell said. “The whole point, though, is winning. There are a lot of things to build around. We do a lot of good things, but there are things we have to correct. We’re in the thick of things. There are three teams above .500, four below and two that are .500. We’re going to keep working hard, if we can get some stuff done in these last five games, we can put ourselves in a decent position.”
OK, the defence wasn’t responsible for allowing all 40 points. A fumble in Ottawa territory by Jamill Smith set up a B.C. field goal, plus an interception thrown by Harris as he was getting hit late in the game gave the Lions a touchdown. But it didn’t seem like there was much in the way of heat on B.C. quarterback Jonathon Jennings, who had too much time to find open receivers.
“We weren’t able to get pressure,” said Redblacks GM Marcel Desjardins. “We had opportunities early to make plays to prevent them from either getting big plays or points. We just couldn’t finish the play. As much as our roster’s been inconsistent, for us to get two of the three phases of our game playing optimally within the same game has been a challenge as well. Defence played well against Toronto, offence was so-so … and in B.C., it was the opposite.”
VAN THE MAN
It looks like running back Travon Van could be heading back into the Redblacks lineup early off the six-game injured list. He was practising with the first team Tuesday: “He adds a dynamic that we don’t have when he’s out,” said Harris. “He’s one of the true hybrid guys in the league — he can be running back, receiver — it’ll be nice to have him out there.”
CHOP BLOCK
There’s still plenty of discussion on whether offensive lineman Nolan MacMillan should have been penalized for a chop block with the Redblacks driving toward what could have been a game-winning field goal in B.C. Explained Campbell: “Every football team will run quick game, where the guys cut on the line of scrimmage. That’s what we were doing. We weren’t trying to high-low a guy or chop block a guy.”
Was it a penalty? Said Campbell: “They said it was.” Some might think differently.
THE END AROUND
The Redblacks are happy to be home Friday. Said Harris: “It’s nice having people cheer you on, rather than booing you and telling you that you stink.” … While there were a “few nicks and things,” it looks like the Redblacks, for once, came out of a game injury-free. That means many of the same bodies will face Saskatchewan … The Redblacks released running back Brandon Deschamps (UBC) and added defensive backs Wayne Lyons (Michigan) and Kenneth Penny (UNLV) to their practice roster.
Twitter: @TimCBaines
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