Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
OTTAWA — Who would be the Ottawa REDBLACKS’ starting quarterback? It was a question asked often throughout 2016, including the waning seconds leading up to the 104th Grey Cup Championship.
We all know the story — the Grey Cup about to kick off, Trevor Harris on the field for the coin flip and Henry Burris, along with his injured knee, nowhere to be seen.
Unlike a year ago, when Harris and Burris seemed interchangeable atop Ottawa’s quarterback depth chart, the 2017 off-season has brought clarity to the situation.
“We feel we’re in a very good place,” REDBLACKS general manager Marcel Desjardins said during an off-season interview.
RELATED
» REDBLACKS tab Jeremy Snyder assistant GM
» Former Esk Shakir Bell added to Ottawa’s backfield
» Bio: Trevor Harris by the numbers
Trevor Harris celebrates after scoring a touchdown vs. the Argos in 2016 (The Canadian Press)
Burris has since retired, leaving Harris the undisputed No. 1 for the first time in his career. And should something happen to Harris, the REDBLACKS acquired Drew Tate from Calgary to back him up.
“We always want to have as much depth there as possible,” said Desjardins. “Which is why we made the trade with Calgary that we did.
“Trevor’s obviously a quality guy. We aren’t finishing where we did last year if we don’t have Trevor with us. We’re happy with him being our guy and with Drew and the guys being around as well.”
Brock Jensen, 26, will continue to serve a developmental role for the REDBLACKS while former NFL pivot Ryan Lindley has also been added, rounding out the depth chart.
When the REDBLACKS signed Trevor Harris last off-season, Desjardins had a simple plan in place: Harris would back up Burris in 2016 then move into the starting role the following season. For Head Coach Rick Campbell, however, the first year just didn’t play out that way.
Injuries, a dominant Harris and, later, a struggling Burris, appeared to accelerate Desjardins’ plans for his quarterbacks. But after struggling throughout back-to-back losses, Harris was benched in Week 16.
In the end, Harris and Burris both played an equal part in Ottawa’s Grey Cup Championship. It’s clear the REDBLACKS wouldn’t have won without both of them, which is where the questions arise: While the REDBLACKS will enjoy clarity at the quarterback position they lacked last season, can they win without Hank?
“Without Hank, obviously that presents some challenges,” said Harris. “But bringing in Drew we have depth as well at the quarterback position. So in terms of not having Hank, it’s not a ton different with the way I approach it or the way I play.”
After once being benched in 2016, Henry Burris was a defining factor in Ottawa’s Grey Cup (CFL.ca)
Change is inevitable, the REDBLACKS’ GM concedes, and the quarterback position is one of many that look different this spring in the nation’s capital. But for the REDBLACKS to be successful in the East, they’ll need consistency from their passers.
Harris faltered in his first full season as a starting quarterback when Ricky Ray stepped in for the Argos two years ago. Last year, at the first sign of a slump, it was Burris saving the day.
The 30-year-old Harris has demonstrated he can play at the level of the league’s best quarterbacks. He’s got a strong arm and he’s accurate while in two different seasons he’s been mentioned as an MOP candidate.
This off-season, Harris has focused on improving his game mentally.
“When you get to a certain point, you are who you are physically,” said Harris. “I’m not going to turn into Michael Vick all of a sudden running the football . . . but I think mentally is the biggest stride I can make.
“More than anything, I’ve done things to challenge myself mentally which has been really, really fun in terms of just watching film and doing different brain training and challenging myself that way.
“At this point, you’re not going to get 20, 30 per cent better every off-season, you’re going to get that one per cent and that’s really what separates the good from the great from the legends.”
“I think it’s a very good place for us to be.”
Marcel Desjardins on the REDBLACKS’ QB situation
The REDBLACKS are banking on Harris taking another step — getting that one or two per cent better. And if something happens, that Drew Tate will be ready to go.
Because this year, there will be no Smilin’ Hank to save the day.
“[Drew Tate] is a guy who wanted to be in Ottawa, which was important,” said Desjardins. “Sometimes you can trade for a guy who doesn’t really want to be around or doesn’t want to be in that city. It was important for us to understand what his general feeling was going to be for being part of our organization, understanding what his role was as well.
“I think it’s a very good place for us to be.”
