What we've learned about the Ottawa Redblacks through four weeks of the CFL season
So instead of potentially scoring 17 points on the three drives, Ottawa gift-wrapped 14 for Toronto.
Article content
But through four weeks, the Redblacks have proven that, like any other CFL team, they're in trouble without their No. 1 QB.
Article content
Is O-line help on the way?
Article content
After Crum was sacked five times (and hurried on several other occasions) in the Argos game, the Redblacks released American right tackle Darta Lee.
Article content
It appears Parker Moorer, a 6-foot-5, 314-pounder out of East Carolina who most recently attended a New York Giants minicamp, will take his spot on Sunday.
Article content
Another positive from Wednesday's practice was that it included for the first time both centre Peter Godber (hand) and right tackle Zack Pelehos (foot), albeit in a limited capacity. Again taking part was centre Eric Starczala, who continues to show progress from a concussion that has also kept him from playing in a game.
Article content
Article content
Asked when the three Canadian players might return, Dyce said, 'That's still a ways away yet.'
Article content
'Those guys are making strides,' said Dyce, adding that Godber, a veteran who was signed in the off-season, is anxious to make his Redblacks debut. 'Peter came in on our off days, and he was really just bubbling to get back out there. Even though he's limited in what he's doing, he knows he's making progress.
Article content
'There's still time (before he plays). He's got to get the pin out of his finger and things like that, but he's able to get in work with his guys, which is fantastic.'
Article content
For one thing, injured cornerback Adrian Frye (knee) and DB Bennett Williams (shoulder) also practised Wednesday and appear ready to rejoin the game roster.
Article content
For another, after giving up 70 points in the first two games, the Redblacks have surrendered 41 in the last two. Against Toronto, only 15 were on the defence.
Article content
Article content
Overall, Ottawa's defensive ranking is tied for sixth.
Article content
'In the defensive room, the standards are pretty high,' said veteran tackle Cleyon Laing. 'So I think for us to be wholeheartedly happy with the performances that we've put forward, I don't think that's really in our vocabulary right now. I think our best football is still to be played, and I don't think any of us will be satisfied until that time has come.'
Article content
Despite only one win in the first four games, the Redblacks remain upbeat.
Article content
'No one is happy with the results, but I think everyone's still hungry,' said Laing. 'Everyone still has that drive and that motivation to keep going, to not let our teammates down, and to put something together that we're proud of. There's been glimpses, certain plays that we can build on, but as a whole, I don't think we put together an entire game that we can really put our stamp on. You know, that this is Redblacks football. So I think we're still in search of finding that unit to come together and execute that as a team.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edmonton Journal
29 minutes ago
- Edmonton Journal
What's a Blue Jays TV rally killer? Another Apple game on Friday to bounce Sportsnet coverage
The Blue Jays are the hottest ticket in town and it's not even close — now that the red-hot, first-place team is riding a sellout streak of 13 consecutive games at the Rogers Centre and is drawing massive ratings numbers for their corporate sister, Sportsnet. Article content Buck Martinez is back, adding another welcome and familiar touch to the game coverage and the pictures and production from the first-rate Sportsnet once again look spectacular. With the roof open for the first time in the last three games, the stunning drone shots on Thursday's exhilarating 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs once again put a punctuation on how special the dome looks with a full house these days. Article content Cue the latest disruption for the fan base — another Apple TV game on Friday when the Jays open a three-game weekend series against the Texas Rangers and interest, one that arrives when interest in the first-place team is arguably as high as it has been in a decade for a regular season game. Article content Article content The timing is never great for the Apple TV interruption, but for three of the four Jays appearances on the streaming service certainly could be seen as rally killers for Canadian TV audiences. Article content The first appearance came on the opening weekend of the season, essentially robbing Sportsnet of a potentially massive prime time Friday night audience. Article content Another Apple TV date came immediately after the Jays had finished up a sweep of the New York Yankees to seize first place in the American League East. Article content And now this. This is not a knock on the Apple TV production, it needs to be said. The slickly produced shows are designed to attract a younger audience and are not only mandated to do so but have paid for the rights in a national deal with Major League Baseball. Article content Article content As well, the Jays fan base is not the only one to endure the interruption of their regularly scheduled baseball programming — it's a league-wide thing. Article content Article content But with the Jays as hot as they are right now — and following the electrifying effort of starter Max Scherzer and the dramatic Vlad Guerrero Jr. home run for Thursday's win to take two of three from the Cubbies — it would have been a virtual lock that Sportsnet would have drawn well over a million viewers on Friday. Article content It has to be particularly frustrating for Sportsnet execs, given the undeniable buzz and momentum around the team right now, storylines that are well told on the broadcasts. The Apple TV crew will be all over the narrative of the Jays elevating from a last-place team to one with the best record in the American League and no doubt chronicle the recent Guerrero heroics. Article content
National Post
29 minutes ago
- National Post
What's a Blue Jays TV rally killer? Another Apple game on Friday to bounce Sportsnet coverage
The Blue Jays are the hottest ticket in town and it's not even close — now that the red-hot, first-place team is riding a sellout streak of 13 consecutive games at the Rogers Centre and is drawing massive ratings numbers for their corporate sister, Sportsnet. Article content Buck Martinez is back, adding another welcome and familiar touch to the game coverage and the pictures and production from the first-rate Sportsnet once again look spectacular. With the roof open for the first time in the last three games, the stunning drone shots on Thursday's exhilarating 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs once again put a punctuation on how special the dome looks with a full house these days. Article content Article content So how does that momentum build? Article content Cue the latest disruption for the fan base — another Apple TV game on Friday when the Jays open a three-game weekend series against the Texas Rangers and interest, one that arrives when interest in the first-place team is arguably as high as it has been in a decade for a regular season game. Article content Article content The timing is never great for the Apple TV interruption, but for three of the four Jays appearances on the streaming service certainly could be seen as rally killers for Canadian TV audiences. Article content The first appearance came on the opening weekend of the season, essentially robbing Sportsnet of a potentially massive prime time Friday night audience. Article content Another Apple TV date came immediately after the Jays had finished up a sweep of the New York Yankees to seize first place in the American League East. Article content And now this. This is not a knock on the Apple TV production, it needs to be said. The slickly produced shows are designed to attract a younger audience and are not only mandated to do so but have paid for the rights in a national deal with Major League Baseball. Article content Article content As well, the Jays fan base is not the only one to endure the interruption of their regularly scheduled baseball programming — it's a league-wide thing. Article content Article content But with the Jays as hot as they are right now — and following the electrifying effort of starter Max Scherzer and the dramatic Vlad Guerrero Jr. home run for Thursday's win to take two of three from the Cubbies — it would have been a virtual lock that Sportsnet would have drawn well over a million viewers on Friday. Article content It has to be particularly frustrating for Sportsnet execs, given the undeniable buzz and momentum around the team right now, storylines that are well told on the broadcasts. The Apple TV crew will be all over the narrative of the Jays elevating from a last-place team to one with the best record in the American League and no doubt chronicle the recent Guerrero heroics. Article content
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Blue Jays ace Max Scherzer's recent pitching bodes well when baseball's post-season rolls around
The pitcher known as Mad Max is beginning to show the signs of a staff ace. Article content When the Jays signed the future hall of famer to a one-year deal, they had an inkling what they were getting. Article content Article content But no one could have envisioned this version of Max Scherzer, especially after he left following three innings in his debut with the Blue Jays way back when Baltimore came to town in the season's series opener. Article content In his first major outing with the Blue Jays, he faced Clayton Kershaw and fellow future hall of famer in Los Angeles. Article content The Jays would lose to the Dodgers, but Scherzer tossed a season-high 98 pitches. Article content In his first major outing at home with a series win at stake, Scherzer stepped up. Article content The Jays were coming off a loss to the Chicago Cubs. What Scherzer delivered was his fourth quality start in a row. Article content Friday night in Buffalo, one-time Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber makes another rehab start in triple-A. Article content Article content When Bieber was acquired from Cleveland on trade deadline line, many pegged the right-hander to start in the playoffs. Article content As of today, and keep in mind things can change in the many weeks to follow, Scherzer must start Game 1 in whatever playoff series the Jays happen to experience, whether it's a best-of-three backdrop or a best-of-five matchup. Article content The one mistake Scherzer made Thursday was a pitch Michael Busch launched for a homer. Article content Scherzer earned the win to improve to 4-3, while the Jays' win improved their record to 71-51. Article content Article content Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and even Eric Lauer, whose play has turned heads, have had moments on the mound. Article content Article content But none has the resume of Scherzer or the cache. Article content Bieber, potentially, can fill that role, but until he's on a big-league mound he must be viewed as an unknown. Article content At the same time unless something goes sideways, Bieber is expected to start in the playoffs because the Jays brought him in for those moments. Article content Fully aware of the Cubs' aggressive approach at the plate, Scherzer felt the key was to be aggressive. Article content He credited battery mate Tyler Heineman. Article content 'It was a good game overall,'' said Scherzer. Article content The big swing came courtesy of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Article content 'We won with a two-run shot not a solo shot,'' added Scherzer. Article content Being around the baseball block as long as he has, Scherzer wasn't going to look too far into the future and nor was he going to comment on the possibility of a six-man rotation. Article content He was more than willing to talk about the fans who have been flocking to the ballpark. Article content 'They're special and the fans have been great.' With Thursday's game so tight, the Jays' bullpen entered the game with no margin for error. Article content
