Latest news with #OttawaRedblacks'
Calgary Herald
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
How the Ottawa Redblacks made strides of improvement over the CFL offseason
Article content There will be significant improvements in the Ottawa Redblacks' roster that opens the CFL season on Thursday in Saskatchewan against the Roughriders — a team some pick to finish atop the West Division standings and contend for the Grey Cup — and the one that was bounced from the playoffs last Nov. 2 in a 20-point loss to the defending champion Toronto Argos. Article content Among them will be the return of Adarius Pickett, the Redblacks' outstanding linebacker/special teams player and emotional pulse after a remarkable recovery from the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered last season in Week 15 against the Hamilton Ticats. Article content Article content Khalan Laborn had some fine moments, but, ultimately, they turned to veteran Bralon Addison, who also performed admirably in the backfield but is a receiver by trade. Article content When Stanback was released by the B.C. Lions in January, Ottawa GM Shawn Burke wasted little time in signing him to a one-year deal. Article content 'We're going to be a physical team, and William is a physical back,' said Dyce. 'The talents he has bleed into what we want to be. You want to give him the opportunities to be physical and wear teams down throughout four quarters. So I look forward to seeing William carry the ball, and I look forward to seeing our offensive line be extremely physical.' Article content Article content After five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, Stanback figured he'd be back for a second year with the Lions after he was the CFL's second-leading rusher in 2024. Article content Article content 'I was in conversations with GM and everything, and it looked like it was a bright future (in B.C.),' the 30-year-old Stanback said Monday. 'But it's a business, and I guess some plans change. I just had to go along with it.' Article content Money, as it relates to the salary cap, and age could have been factors, as presumably was the case when two other very good backs — 32-year-old Ka'Deem Carey and 28-year-old Walter Fletcher — were cut by the Argos and Alouettes on the weekend.
Ottawa Citizen
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
How the Ottawa Redblacks made strides of improvement over the CFL offseason
Article content There will be significant improvements in the Ottawa Redblacks' roster that opens the CFL season on Thursday in Saskatchewan against the Roughriders — a team some pick to finish atop the West Division standings and contend for the Grey Cup — and the one that was bounced from the playoffs last Nov. 2 in a 20-point loss to the defending champion Toronto Argos. Article content Among them will be the return of Adarius Pickett, the Redblacks' outstanding linebacker/special teams player and emotional pulse after a remarkable recovery from the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered last season in Week 15 against the Hamilton Ticats. Article content Article content Article content Khalan Laborn had some fine moments, but, ultimately, they turned to veteran Bralon Addison, who also performed admirably in the backfield but is a receiver by trade. Article content When Stanback was released by the B.C. Lions in January, Ottawa GM Shawn Burke wasted little time in signing him to a one-year deal. Article content 'We're going to be a physical team, and William is a physical back,' said Dyce. 'The talents he has bleed into what we want to be. You want to give him the opportunities to be physical and wear teams down throughout four quarters. So I look forward to seeing William carry the ball, and I look forward to seeing our offensive line be extremely physical.' Article content Article content After five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, Stanback figured he'd be back for a second year with the Lions after he was the CFL's second-leading rusher in 2024. Article content Article content 'I was in conversations with GM and everything, and it looked like it was a bright future (in B.C.),' the 30-year-old Stanback said Monday. 'But it's a business, and I guess some plans change. I just had to go along with it.' Article content Money, as it relates to the salary cap, and age could have been factors, as presumably was the case when two other very good backs — 32-year-old Ka'Deem Carey and 28-year-old Walter Fletcher — were cut by the Argos and Alouettes on the weekend.
Vancouver Sun
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
How the Ottawa Redblacks made strides of improvement over the CFL offseason
There will be significant improvements in the Ottawa Redblacks' roster that opens the CFL season on Thursday in Saskatchewan against the Roughriders — a team some pick to finish atop the West Division standings and contend for the Grey Cup — and the one that was bounced from the playoffs last Nov. 2 in a 20-point loss to the defending champion Toronto Argos. Among them will be the return of Adarius Pickett, the Redblacks' outstanding linebacker/special teams player and emotional pulse after a remarkable recovery from the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered last season in Week 15 against the Hamilton Ticats. 'Yes,' head coach Bob Dyce confirmed after Monday's practice at TD Place when asked if Pickett will complete his comeback by suiting up against the Roughriders. 'Adarius will play.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Another roster refinement comes in the form of William Stanback, a 6-foot, 200-pound running back who has three 1,000-yard rushing seasons on his resumé. The Redblacks missed the type of ball carrier they want to complement a very strong group of receivers after they had to release Ryquell Armstead for disciplinary reasons last September. Khalan Laborn had some fine moments, but, ultimately, they turned to veteran Bralon Addison, who also performed admirably in the backfield but is a receiver by trade. When Stanback was released by the B.C. Lions in January, Ottawa GM Shawn Burke wasted little time in signing him to a one-year deal. 'We're going to be a physical team, and William is a physical back,' said Dyce. 'The talents he has bleed into what we want to be. You want to give him the opportunities to be physical and wear teams down throughout four quarters. So I look forward to seeing William carry the ball, and I look forward to seeing our offensive line be extremely physical.' After five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, Stanback figured he'd be back for a second year with the Lions after he was the CFL's second-leading rusher in 2024. 'I was in conversations with GM and everything, and it looked like it was a bright future (in B.C.),' the 30-year-old Stanback said Monday. 'But it's a business, and I guess some plans change. I just had to go along with it.' Money, as it relates to the salary cap, and age could have been factors, as presumably was the case when two other very good backs — 32-year-old Ka'Deem Carey and 28-year-old Walter Fletcher — were cut by the Argos and Alouettes on the weekend. 'Guys like that getting released is very shocking,' said Stanback. 'And it kind of sucks.' If Stanback is slowing down, it certainly didn't show in his stats last year. He averaged just over five yards a carry for a total of 1,175, which is just one yard off the career high he set in 2021. 'I feel like my ability to play at this level is very high,' said Stanback. 'I'm thankful for every opportunity I'm always given. I never take anything for granted, because you never know what can happen tomorrow. So I just play every game, every down, like it's my last. My body feels great. Maybe some things may change with how I attack certain games, whether it's catching the ball more out of the backfield or protecting the quarterback, but as long as I can still produce and help the team in any way, I feel like there's no reason for me to stop playing right now. 'I've never been an, 'Oh, give me the ball' type of guy. Whatever is drawn up, I'm going to try to run it to the best of my abilities. I'll do whatever you need me to do. If I need to go tackle, I can tackle too.' To back up Stanback, the Redblacks gave a practice roster spot to Elijah Collins, who looked good with five carries for 26 yards and three receptions for 62 yards in Friday's pre-season finale against Montreal. If they want to go a different route, on the active roster is a quality Canadian in Daniel Adeboboye, a special teams whiz who has proved he's more than capable of handling the running back chores. Yes. The Redblacks, Alouettes, Argos, Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers are the only teams with as many as four quarterbacks currently on their roster, although each team can only dress three for a game. Behind starter Dru Brown in Ottawa is a newcomer, veteran Matt Shiltz , as well as returnees Dustin Crum and Tyrie Adams. Expect the 32-year-old Shiltz to be the primary backup out of the gate, but that could change as the season goes on. 'Dusty's growth as a passer has been fantastic,' said Dyce. 'Tyrie hasn't played that many games, but he's been in the league for three years. So to have that experience in the room, learning from (offensive co-ordinator) Tommy (Condell) puts us in a very good position.' Yes. The marquee signing of the offseason was Eugene Lewis , who would have five 1,000-plus receiving yards in the CFL had he not been limited to 13 games in 2021 and 12 in 2023. Lewis should be an upgrade on the departed Dominque Rhymes at one wide receiver spot, while Keelan White, the third overall pick in this year's draft, replaces Nick Mardner, who was slow to get going as the second overall pick in the 2024 draft and is gone for the season with a torn patella. At slotback, Ottawa will also have a whole season with Kalil Pimplton, who had 715 yards in eight games last year, as a replacement for the retired Jaelon Acklin, who had 739 yards in 16 games, along with returning, savvy veterans Justin Hardy and Bralon Addison. Yes. Right tackle Zack Pelehos, the 6-foot-5, 300-pound former Ottawa Gee-Gee who made great strides last season, has been lost for six to eight weeks with a foot injury. 'But if you know Zack, he attacks his therapy and has always come back quicker,' said Dyce. 'So obviously, that's what we're hoping for.' His absence is a ratio-changer for the Redblacks, who will likely turn to 26-year-old Texan Darta Lee as a replacement to give them a couple of Americans (along with the returning Dino Boyd) as the big bookends on their O-line. Veteran centre Peter Godber (hand) is questionable for the opener, and if he can't go veteran Jacob Ruby will be snapping the ball to Brown, with Eric Starczala dealing with a head injury. The dependable Dariusz Bladek and Drew Desjarlais are back as the guards, with rookie Sam Carson as a backup. No, last year's will do. The familiar line sees Lorenzo Mauldin and Bryce Carter at the ends, with Mike Wakefield and Canadian Cleyon Laing inside. Mauldin and Wakefield were tied for the league lead in sacks last season with eight, while Carter was tied for second in the same category a year earlier with 12. Blessman Ta'ala, a Hawaiian who falls into the Global classification, is a veteran backup, while Canadians Aidan John and Kene Onyeka have proved invaluable. Second-year Canadian Daniel Okpoko is also expected to take some positive steps. Davion Taylor appears to have an edge on Frankie Griffin as the starting WILL linebacker, although both should play plenty of defensive snaps and be backed by Canadian Lucas Cormier, who had an outstanding camp. Pickett will be the SAM linebacker, with Bennett Williams as his backup. Veteran Jovan Santos-Knox is back as the leader of the 'D' at middle linebacker, with Tyron Vrede (Global), and Canadian James Peter and Jayden Griffiths as backups and key special teams contributors. Yes, and the Redblacks hope it's better than last year's group. Alijah McGhee is back at one corner spot and C.J. Coldon, who was signed last September, is at the other. The starting safety position is in the capable hands of Alonzo Addae, who played 14 games last season before going down with an injury. Newcomer Amari Henderson, a former Roughrider, will be one starting halfback and returnee Deandre Lamont appears to have locked down the other. In the mix will be Robert Priester and Adrian Frye, as well as Canadian backups Eric Cumberbatch, Dawson Pierre and Charlie Ringland. The kicking duties will be handled by sure-footed Lewis Ward, who will be playing his 100th game on Thursday, and veteran American punter Richie Leone. Peter Adjey is back as the long snapper. 'This group knows who they are and they're tight,' Dyce said Monday. 'If you heard Jovan talk at the end of practice, you'd know that he ends up with family, and that's what we're working towards, to continue building trust amongst each other. I told them on Day 1, this is a unit, and this unit is going to take us where we want to go. And they fully believe that.'
Ottawa Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Minus most starters, Ottawa Redblacks fall to Montreal Alouettes in CFL pre-season finale
For much of the Ottawa Redblacks' pre-season finale at TD Place, it looked like the highlight of the night would stand as the lightning storm — which included high winds and toonie-sized hail pellets — that delayed the start of the game by almost an hour. Article content Article content The excitement meter spiked a couple of times, but all in all, followers of the CFL in Ottawa have to be happy the regular season kicks off with the Redblacks' visit to Saskatchewan on Thursday for a game against the Roughriders. Article content Article content The Redblacks sat most starters to take a look at players on the bubble, and the results were predictable in a sloppy 24-16 loss to the Montreal Alouettes on Friday night. Article content Article content Former Redblacks quarterback Caleb Evans had an easy time moving the ball against his old team in one quarter's work, completing eight of 11 pass attempts for 111 yards, and running for a touchdown. Ottawa's most prolific offensive player was Tyrie Adams, who is trying to win a backup job behind starting quarterback Dru Brown. Article content Adams scored on a nine-yard run with just under nine minutes left in the fourth quarter to pull the Redblacks within eight points. Article content Adams orchestrated a last-minute drive that stalled on the Montreal 45. Article content The Redblacks created some excitement in the third quarter when Dustin Crum directed a drive that included a 38-yard pass to running back Elijah Collins, who also distinguished himself on the night. Article content Article content But the Redblacks drew the ire of the fans when, on a third and goal from the three, they elected to settle for a 10-yard field goal that pulled Ottawa to within one score. Article content With Brown not dressed, Matt Shiltz started the game and played one quarter, completing two of two passes for 32 yards — including a 31-yarder to Andre Miller. Article content Crum completed eight of 13 pass attempts for 96 yards. Article content Former Toronto Argonaut Daniel Adeboboye was effective as the starting running back, carrying the ball four times for 24 yards. Article content Returning American linebacker Frankie Griffin was a demon on Redblacks' special teams with three first-half tackles. Article content American receiver Ayir Asante didn't do his chances of making the team any favours when he fumbled the Alouettes' first punt of the game, giving the visitors the ball on the Ottawa 34-yard line.
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Minus most starters, Ottawa Redblacks fall to Montreal Alouettes in CFL pre-season finale
For much of the Ottawa Redblacks' pre-season finale at TD Place, it looked like the highlight of the night would stand as the lightning storm — which included high winds and toonie-sized hail pellets — that delayed the start of the game by almost an hour. The excitement meter spiked a couple of times, but all in all, followers of the CFL in Ottawa have to be happy the regular season kicks off with the Redblacks' visit to Saskatchewan on Thursday for a game against the Roughriders. The Redblacks sat most starters to take a look at players on the bubble, and the results were predictable in a sloppy 24-16 loss to the Montreal Alouettes on Friday night. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Ottawa's 1-1 preseason includes a 23-7 win in Montreal last week. Former Redblacks quarterback Caleb Evans had an easy time moving the ball against his old team in one quarter's work, completing eight of 11 pass attempts for 111 yards, and running for a touchdown. Montreal's 17-7 halftime lead included a scoreless second quarter. Ottawa's most prolific offensive player was Tyrie Adams, who is trying to win a backup job behind starting quarterback Dru Brown. Adams scored on a nine-yard run with just under nine minutes left in the fourth quarter to pull the Redblacks within eight points. Adams orchestrated a last-minute drive that stalled on the Montreal 45. The Redblacks created some excitement in the third quarter when Dustin Crum directed a drive that included a 38-yard pass to running back Elijah Collins, who also distinguished himself on the night. But the Redblacks drew the ire of the fans when, on a third and goal from the three, they elected to settle for a 10-yard field goal that pulled Ottawa to within one score. With Brown not dressed, Matt Shiltz started the game and played one quarter, completing two of two passes for 32 yards — including a 31-yarder to Andre Miller. Crum completed eight of 13 pass attempts for 96 yards. Former Toronto Argonaut Daniel Adeboboye was effective as the starting running back, carrying the ball four times for 24 yards. Returning American linebacker Frankie Griffin was a demon on Redblacks' special teams with three first-half tackles. American receiver Ayir Asante didn't do his chances of making the team any favours when he fumbled the Alouettes' first punt of the game, giving the visitors the ball on the Ottawa 34-yard line. Ending the touchdown drive with a key pass knockdown was defensive lineman Daniel Okpoko, a Redblacks second-round pick year, but Montreal did manage a 24-yard field goal from Joshua Hutley off the Asante gaffe. The Als did make their first trip to the end zone on their next possession. From the Redblacks 12, Evans dropped back to pass, and with no option grabbing his attention, tucked the ball in and strolled untouched for the score. The Redblacks put their first number on the board before the opening quarter ended with a one-yard touchdown by Shitlz. The keeper play was set up by a pass interference call on a ball intended for Miller, followed by the long completion to Miller and a nine-yard run by Adeboboye. The Als added a field goal to have a 17-7 lead as the teams switched ends for the first time. There was no scoring in the second quarter, which was a positive for the Redblacks' defence. Offensively, the highlight was Crum's ability to lead the unit to three consecutive first downs. But Crum and rookie centre Sam Carson also botched a snap on a third-down gamble to give the Als the ball at the Ottawa 39-yard-line.
