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Calgary Herald
an hour 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
an hour 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
an hour 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.'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Tommy Stevens feels at home in Roughriders' quarterback room
Despite being on a new team this year, quarterback Tommy Stevens is already comfortable in his surroundings. After signing with the Roughriders during free agency this off-season, the short-yardage specialist joined a club that already featured fellow quarterback and former Calgary Stampeders teammate Jake Maier — who was acquired by the Riders earlier in the off-season — along with offensive coordinator Marc Mueller, who was Calgary's quarterbacks coach for Stevens' first three seasons. In fact, reuniting with Mueller — who is in his second year as Saskatchewan's play caller — was one of the reasons Stevens chose the Roughriders in free agency. Playing in front of Saskatchewan's fan base as a member of the home team was another. 'I'd be lying to you if I told you I wasn't fired up that this was going to be a possibility,' Stevens said as the Roughriders prepare for Thursday's season opener (7 p.m., TSN) against the Ottawa Redblacks at Mosaic Stadium. 'Glad it all worked out. Really happy to be here. I mean, this place is incredible. I think it's nicer every time I'm in here. 'I'm glad I won't be a visitor in here. I'm glad this will be home.' In his three years with the Stampeders, the 28-year-old Stevens developed into one of the CFL's elite short-yardage specialists. Last year, he rushed the ball 60 times for 237 yards — a four-yard average — with 10 rushing touchdowns, which was tied for the league lead. Along with Maier, Stevens joins a quarterback in Saskatchewan room that also features veteran starter Trevor Harris and second-year pivot Jack Coan, who played college football at Notre Dame before coming to Saskatchewan in 2024. 'Obviously me and Jake have been pretty close for, I guess this will be going on the fourth season we've been together,' said Stevens. 'But coming in with the new guys with Trev and Jack, they've been great. 'I think that's super important. And especially in our room — only one guy can play, right. So being able to have that kind of relationship, being able to bounce ideas off of each other. 'Obviously, Trevor's been around for a while, and Jack's played some big-time football too, so just being able to hear their perspective on things, how they go about their process, how they read certain plays, what they think that we should do on whatever it may be, it's been helpful.' For Mueller, the familiarity of having worked with Maier and Stevens in the past has helped the cohesion in the quarterback room this year. 'It's a lot easier because I know those guys,' said Mueller. 'They work well together and they work well with the group and they're both smart guys, and they work hard. 'I think that the whole group, all four guys, have been really good to work with and be around. It's a really good group.' While Stevens got limited action in Saskatchewan's two pre-season games — throwing the ball three times while also rushing three time in the first exhibition game before getting one rush attempt that was negated due to a penalty in the second game — the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Indianapolis native is expected to be used in the regular season any time the Roughriders are facing a short-yardage situation. Without giving away any playbook secrets, he'll also likely get into the game with other packages designed around his running ability. 'No matter who you have in there, whether it's a different left guard or a different centre, you want to try to make them be the best versions of themselves,' said Mueller. 'And you want them to feel like there's plays in the game plan that highlight their best skills. 'So, whether it's Tommy or whether it's one of the receivers or the right tackle or (running back A.J. Ouellette), you want to get their best foot forward and put in plays that they feel will work.' Offensive lineman Jacob Brammer (back) missed Monday's practice after leaving Sunday's workout midway through with an injury. However, it doesn't appear to be serious according to head coach Corey Mace. 'Just being smart here,' said Mace. 'It was just a little tweak yesterday wo we're just being smart with it so he can be available for game day.' American rookie Payton Collins practised at left tackle with Trevon Tate moving to left guard and Zack Fry shifting to right guard in place of Brammer for many of the offensive reps. 'Collins has had an excellent camp,' said Mace. 'And we want to make sure that, if Jacob's not practising, that we get quality reps with guys who have potential.' tshire@ Roughriders hit the field for Day 1 of regular season practice Roughriders make final roster cuts; finalize active roster for 2025 The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Davis: Got any change, Saskatchewan Roughriders? Not really, no ...
Article content The Saskatchewan Roughriders just went through three-plus weeks of rookie/training camps, lost two CFL pre-season games while scoring only one touchdown and emerged without really changing anything. Article content Article content Change, evidently, isn't needed for a team intending to be better than a West division finalist. Article content After falling one game shy of qualifying for the 2024 Grey Cup, Riders general manager Jeremy O'Day and his staff along with head coach Corey Mace and his assistants spent the off-season configuring this season's roster. They secured all eight of last season's all-stars, let some backbenchers leave and signed a few newcomers to key positions. Article content Article content The starting rosters were certainly predetermined before camp. The Roughriders' current roster is basically identical to what they envisioned in March. Article content Article content 'From the totality of it, yeah,' Mace said after the team's practice Sunday at Mosaic Stadium. 'But there was heavy competition for guys to solidify their spots.' Article content No breakout stars forced the Riders brass to change their minds. Return specialist Drae McCray was the most captivating of the prospects, but suffering an injury during Saskatchewan's 27-20, smoke-delayed loss to the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers may have kept him from unseating veteran Mario Alford. The Roughriders said 26,293 tickets were distributed for Friday's game but it looked like nearly half of them went unused. Article content All nine CFL teams announced their final cuts Saturday night. Article content The Roughriders cut 17 players, signed 11 to their practice roster, put five Canadian draft choices on their retired list (so they can return to university) and suspended one. Many of the moves are administrative, designed to protect players from rival teams until the Roughriders begin their regular season Thursday against the visiting Ottawa Redblacks. There will be roster tinkering before the opener. Article content Article content The suspended player is punter Bailey Flint, who likely lost a challenge against Joe Couch for the only starting spot available when the Riders began practising May 7 in Saskatoon. That spot opened because dependable punter Adam Korsak unexpectedly retired during the off-season. The Roughriders initially auditioned Flint, but after he averaged only 40.6 yards per punt in their first pre-season game they recalled Couch, who averaged 45.2 yards on six punts in the pre-season finale. Article content
