After a performance that was labelled by Ottawa Redblacks lifer, Jon Gott as “the worst game (we’ve played) since the beginning (in 2014)” the question almost one-quarter of the way through the 2018 season is who exactly are the Redblacks?
Ottawa Losses
At the four-game mark, the Ottawa Redblacks have posted a record of 2-2. Both losses have come against the best team in the league, the Calgary Stampeders. In their first matchup, the Redblacks snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. The game was there for the taking but Calgary played 60 minutes, while the Redblacks vanished for the last 10 minutes of the fourth quarter. In game two on Thursday night, there was no competition as the Stampeders made Ottawa submit to their will. The Redblacks offence obtained their only first down of the first half with two minutes and forty seconds remaining.
The defence played admirably considering the positions they were put in but were out on the field for too long and cannot be completely assessed as Calgary starter, and league MVP Bo Levi Mitchell was out with an undisclosed (lower body?) injury for the entire second half.
These two losses can lead to only one conclusion. The Redblacks have a long way to go to be considered an elite team.
Ottawa Wins
Ottawa’s two wins made them look like a team to be reckoned with. In their victories, they outscored the opposition 68-35 and generated 272 more yards in offensive production. The issue is that these two victories came against Saskatchewan and Montreal, arguably the two weakest opponents in the league.
Are the Ottawa Redblacks a good team that cannot keep up with the best? A mediocre team that looks like world beaters against lesser opponents? Or something else?
Areas of Concern
There are key three areas of concern that should alarm Redblack supporters.
Offensive Line
The offensive line was terrible on Thursday night. But this wasn’t just one off night. In reality, they have not been providing consistent protection all season long. Rookie Mark Korte will have a long and distinguished CFL career but four games in he is being exposed. The aforementioned, Gott is an undersized guard who has spent the majority of his career at centre. Alex Mateas has been decent at centre but it is easier when you are chipping on double teams and are not exposed individually. Jason Lazon-Seguin has just returned from injury and has yet to hit his stride. Nolan MacMillan is close but has not yet made his return to the lineup from an offseason injury.
Quarterback
Trevor Harris is in year two as the undisputed starter, however, he has not seized the mantle. Most of the derision from Redblack supporters inappropriately fell on his shoulders after the two losses to Calgary. Having said that he does have a share of the blame. Harris was a threat to run in his days with the Argos, it seems as if injuries have turned him into a pocket passer. As a result, his game needs to change for the Redblacks to have success. He throws off his back foot too often and locks into particular receivers pre-snap missing the soft areas given up by the defence. The deep balls he did get off of Thursday all forced the receiver to play defender and seemed to be thrown up with a prayer.
Secondary
While the defence has shown a marked improvement over last year the secondary is prone to the deep seam throw. On a handful of plays safety, Antoine Pruneau or one of the halfbacks has been chasing a receiver down the hash hoping to catch up to make a play. Secondary coverage is inextricably tied into defensive line/linebacker pressure but all too often the secondary has sprung the door wide open.
Next Steps
The Ottawa Redblacks next opponent, the BC Lions are struggling. The Lions host Winnipeg on Saturday and then have to head east on short rest. As a result, Ottawa will not improve its league ranking with a victory as this is a game they should win. Until the Redblacks come up against the likes of Hamilton, Winnipeg and Edmonton we will not really know the direction this team is taking.
The CFL season is long and any trends derived from the first four games are likely to be long forgotten by Week 18. Having said that, you are whom your record says you are. At the moment the Ottawa Redblacks are a .500 team in a dogfight to keep their standing in the East.
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