Ottawa REDBLACKS
OTTAWA — What a difference a year makes.
The Ottawa REDBLACKS capped off their annual three-day mini-camp on Tuesday at TD Place, in tow familiar faces like Henry Burris, Brad Sinopoli and Damaso Munoz. Yet one thing about this year’s camp was quite different.
While last year’s mini-camp was about introductions and a totally revamped offence coming off the heels of a two-win season, this year, first and foremost, was about evaluation.
“A very important part of this is evaluating the new guys we’ve signed and seeing them compete against our veteran guys so we can see what they’ve got,” said Head Coach Rick Campbell, now in his third season coaching Ottawa.
It’s a far cry from a year ago. All the talk then surrounded five new international receivers and a first-year offensive coordinator in Jason Maas, with many pressing questions. The REDBLACKS answered, winning the East Division and appearing in a Grey Cup Championship.
Some changes have occurred — like the switch from the departed Maas to Jaime Elizondo at offensive coordintor — while five starters on defence have not returned. But with the foundation firmly in place, this mini-camp was about trying to plug a few holes and smooth any rough edges. Namely the part about plugging a few holes.
“It was good to see all the guys, have them back here and get back to working,” said Defensive Coordinator Mark Nelson. “We lost some players from our defence, which you’re going to lose every year.
“The players management has brought in are some good players, so it’s just trying to get all the pieces and making that puzzle fit together and learning”
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Elizondo takes over the offence that led the league by far in net yards last season with 386.3 per game, well ahead of second-place Edmonton’s 359.6 yards per game. But while it’s a different face in charge, much about Ottawa’s offence should be familiar in 2016, from the returning players — all four 1,000-yard receivers last season are back along with the Most Outstanding Player in quarterback Burris — to the scheme.
“We’re on the same page and we don’t have to think when we’re out there,” said Burris. “We’re just out there playing. The coaches have done a fantastic job of keeping things pretty consistent for us.
“We’re adding some new wrinkles and those are the things we’re able to work on in times like this, but the fact that we know the personnel we’re lining up against – our fellow teammates – it makes our job much easier because we’re able to communicate because we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
“The fact that we’ve been able to play together as a team makes all those transitions much easier for us.”
More change has occurred on the other side of the ball, where similarly the REDBLACKS aim to restore their status as the CFL’s number one defence. Last season Nelson’s unit allowed a league-low 297.6 yards per game while also leading in sacks with 62.
“We’re just out there playing. The coaches have done a fantastic job of keeping things pretty consistent for us.”
Henry Burris
Shawn Lemon, Justin Capicciotti, Keith Shologan, Brandyn Thompson and Jovon Johnson are the departed starters on that side of the ball, but a returning veteran core and some continuity from Nelson provide stability. Campbell and Nelson look to fill some of those vacancies through competition.
“We’re just looking for good football players and if they have good size, that’s a good thing too,” said Campbell. “Key thing in the CFL with the skill positions – the receivers and the DBs – is you’ve got to be able to run, just because the field is so big and the motion and all that.
“And if you’re big too, that’s a bonus.”
There’s still film to review, but so far Campbell is happy with what he’s seen, learning he’s got a pretty athletic group after watching plenty of one-on-one reps. Some tough decisions remain ahead of May 1, while the REDBLACKS have already started cutting down their roster after announcing the release of 12 players including receiver Armon Binns and running back Onterio McCalebb.
All in all, though, the results from this week are positive.
“We’re still a month away from training camp, but it had a training camp feel to it so that’s the thing I was most happy with,” said Campbell.
– With files from OttawaREDBLACKS.com
