On day one of this year’s CFL free agency, the Ottawa Redblacks front office led by general manager Marcel Desjardins took a different path than a year ago when the team lost key players like Trevor Harris, William Powell and Rico Murray. Although the Redblacks had a down year in 2019, it doesn’t mean the CFL is counting them out for 2020. Following the end of the past CFL season, the team has been able to make serious transactions on the coaching staff and roster. The Ottawa Redblacks roster was given positive additions in Cleyon Laing, Don Unamba, Christophe Mulamba, Abdul Kanneh and Anthony Coombs in day one of 2020 CFL free agency, but the big signings shouldn’t distract fans from the smaller ones too.
Even though the team hadn’t put much noise around the signings, the Ottawa Redblacks just recently on February 18th brought in a list of 10 players who will be able to play for the team this coming season.
After making quite the splash on day one of CFL free agency, the team stayed quiet other than re-signing defensive lineman Ettore Lattanzio, but the ten players they signed on Tuesday could end up making a big impact in the future on this Redblacks team. On the list was Joe Walker, Darrell Williams, Tyler Catalina Dwayne Norman, T.J Mutcherson and Kalon Beverly, but of the 10 signees fro Tuesday, I would keep eyes on the following three, Junior Joseph a linebacker from UCONN, Delvon Randall a saftey/defensive back from Temple and Cortrelle Simpson a wide receiver from Richmond.
Out of the players listed, Cortrelle Simpson is one to most likely impact the Ottawa Redblacks team soon. Simpson, a receiver from the University of Richmond in Virginia most recently played a part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pre-season roster where he played 2 games and caught one pass for 7 yards. Although the 7 yards don’t seem like much when talking about Simpson being a playmaker in Ottawa, he put up outrageous numbers ahead of that in University. At Richmond, Simpson suited up for 20 games over the span of two seasons catching 96 passes for 1680 yards and 11 touchdowns. Out of his numbers, 1,019 of the yards were gained in his junior year in 2017 where he was also able to score 6 of his 11 touchdowns.
In his University days and his camp in Tampa Bay, Cortrelle showed exactly the playmaker he is on the field, and if given the chance, he could make Marcel Desjardins a really proud general manager in Ottawa.
Also on the list were two defensive ball hawks at both linebacker and defensive back, starting off with Delvon Randall who has an opportunity to make an instant impact to the team’s defensive look.
The defensive backs in Ottawa re always coming and going but they’ve always had a good identity, and if he is given a roster spot for the 2020 CFL season, Delvon Randall can be in place of that identity. In 4 seasons that Randall spent in Temple, he played a huge role in their defensive secondary and he took that role and ran with it, forcing over 250 tackles, totaling for 23 pass deflections, 12 interceptions, 2 forced and recovered fumbles along with a sack. Given the numbers he produced in university, it is shown that he is able to make plays on the defensive side of the ball, and if given a chance he can do it here in Ottawa.
Abdul Kanneh signs back to the Redblacks through 2020
Just over a week ago, the Ottawa Redblacks entered CFL free agency and made a splash, signing a few big names on the defensive side of the ball. Of the moves made on day one, Marcel made sure to bring back some key components from past years. From the 2016 team, both Abdul Kanneh and Cleyon Laing were signed back to Ottawa. Many of you may remember Kanneh more than Laing from 2016, and that is expected as Kanneh was one of the loudest defensive backs in the CFL when he started his career in Ottawa and will show this year that he still has the juice.
Ottawa Redblacks DB Abdul Kanneh during practice at TD Place on Tuesday June 21, 2016. Errol McGihon
Kanneh has been known to be flying all over the field since he first entered the league in 2014 with the Redblacks, and played three seasons. When asked about his first stint in Ottawa, Kanneh mentions in, “My time in Ottawa was great. From the fans, to just going into the games walking to the stadium taking in the atmosphere, I loved every bit of it and all of those years we were very well built, and we could compete and beat anybody so that helped me enjoy that winning feeling even more.”
Like Abdul Kanneh mentioned in his quote, the teams he was able to play with in Ottawa got to embrace the winning feeling a lot as he got the chance to play in 2 Grey Cups, winning one and being a big piece to the 2016 Grey Cup victory in a game saving tackle. The Grey Cup in 2016 was magical as many players have expressed, and Kanneh sticks to that, “The experience (winning the Grey Cup) was great. The team we had that year (2016) was the best (I’ve been a part of) and we were all one. We had a brotherhood. A lot of teams say that they have that, but the whole season we had each others backs and when they counted us out, we stopped listening and added fuel to our fire. The team was built off love and energy and it was awesome to see.”
The group that the Ottawa Redblacks were built around in 2016 had one of the best secondaries ever to play in the CFL all on the same team. 3 of the team’s defensive backs went on for NFL opportunities after the Grey Cup and that shows just how good the team was, but Kanneh will be a part of a similar system come June when he plays in plaid again. The Ottawa Redblacks defensive backfield has always been great and in 2020, the backfield will be firing on all cylinders. Kanneh says, “I’m super excited to play with the group in Ottawa, mostly because of the competition it will bring. The groups I’ve been a part of in the past (in Ottawa), all we did was compete with each other and we made sure that competition kept going during games so the teams got the best of us. So with that being said, I’m looking forward to the competition with the boys, the guys all together, making our own thing and making a good product.”
Abdul Kanneh shows to be hungry for the competition in Ottawa, and a competition in what he’ll get, and he’s going to get it from a friend on the secondary in Sherrod Baltimore. Through the past few years, Kanneh and Baltimore have built a relationship, Kanneh explains, “Sherrod is my guy! When he first got to Ottawa we met, just before training camp and we exchanged numbers. When he first caught my eye was,he played with my other good friend Jerrell Gavins and after practices and games he used to call me telling me how Sherrod was balling out and how he’s just like me, he’s good and that he’s a baller. Ever since then, we called here and there giving each other congratulations on everything we’re accomplishing on our own and blessing each other up being thankful for our talent.”
Of course this relationship between the two defensive backs started off the field, but this year, they have the chance to play together in Ottawa and Kanneh quotes in, “He only lives like 20-25 minutes away from me in the off-season, he lives in DC (Washington) and I live in Virginia so we’ve met up a few times, got to meet the family and we’ve been tight off the field and now with the opportunity to play with him as well is exciting!” He also puts in, “This season is going to be ecstatic out there! We both can fly, and so can our dreads, I can’t wait anymore to put together some great things on the field.”
To pair with Baltimore, Kanneh mentions that he’s also kept close with defensive back Antoine Pruneau who he was able to share his rookie season with back in 2014 and win a Grey Cup with in 2016. He mentions in “Pru (Antoine Pruneau) is my boy! He is one of those OG soldiers on the defense there in Ottawa. He always goes hard, tough, reliable, man you can’t ask for anything better than him. He’s proven that he can do it all in this league and he can do anything you ask him to. I’m looking real forward to being on his team once again.”
The seasons that Kanneh had spent, all three were a part of the same coaching staff with Campbell leading the pack along with Mark Nelson coaching the defense, but when he comes in May for camp, he’s going into a new coaching staff led by Paul LaPolice. When asked about the staff brought in Kanneh points out, “For one all, our offensive coach has a crazy nice system. When ever I played against it, we could never really study for it, so practicing against it will give us the best challenge and playing with it will give us a great advantage, but on all sides of the ball, our defense is going to mix some stuff up and make it spicy on the field. I’m excited to meet with these guys and play for them in general.“
Not only will Kanneh have the change of coaching staff, but so will the fans. And Kanneh explains that the fans won’t have to worry about the coaching as long as he’s on the field saying, “The fans can expect some tough, hard nose football from me. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to play at this level so I’m going to put it all on the field making plays for the team.”
Just this Sunday, Sherrod was found at TD Place cheering on a fellow Ottawa sports team in the Ottawa 67s.
Since he came to Ottawa in 2017, Sherrod Baltimore has been a big piece to the community here in Ottawa and has been loved by everyone in the city, including the Ottawa 67s players who he cheers on quite often. On Sunday, Baltimore was in attendance to cheer on the 67s when they faced off against the Windsor Spitfires.
When at the game, Baltimore and I (Jordan Zlomislic) rain into a Loy of Redblacks fans, and good friends! Found below is a vlog of the Ottawa 67s experience yesterday with Sherrod Baltimore.
On Tuesday of last week, the Ottawa Redblacks entered CFL free agency, and they made sure that they would have an improvement to their roster. Unlike the situation the team was in last year, Marcel Desjardins and the front office in Ottawa signed 5 players, and one of them is Anthony Coombs.
Coombs just recently played for the Hamilton Tiger Cats, where he was able to gain over 300 yards and score two touchdowns on 57 offensive touches. Coombs has been able to make a name for himself as a versatile offensive player, where he can play both running back and wide receiver.
He first played a big role on the offensive side of the ball when he was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts 3rd overall in the 2014 CFL draft. Following the draft, Coombs was put into the offense as a ratio breaker, rushing and receiving for a total of 306 all-purpose yards.
The numbers he put up in his rookie year showed nothing but great potential for the remainder of his career, and he’s done nothing but great things carrying and catching the football. Anthony Coombs, sitting at 28 years old has 6 seasons under his belt in which he’s caught 190 passes for 1,695 yards and 6 touchdowns along with scoring one rushing touchdowns a part of his 75 carries for 352 yards.
The flex position is wide open for the Ottawa Redblacks, where Coombs will have a shot at being a part of the starting receiving core and a top Canadian receiver among teammate Brad Sinopoli. Coombs would also be able to play a very similar role to fellow Canadian receiver/running back Nic Demski of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Demski was a part of Ottawa Redblacks head coach Paul LaPolice’s offense last season and the year before, where he played a flex position for LaPolice catching 103 passes, and carrying the ball 60 times for a total of 1,492 yards and 9 touchdowns over the two seasons.
Nic Demski of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, comparison for newest Redblacks receiver Anthony Coombs
As seen from the two players numbers from past seasons, Anthony Coombs who just signed with the Ottawa Redblacks on Tuesday could in fact play a big role on the Ottawa offense similar to Nic Demski when he was with Winnipeg.
Today, Saturday February 15th, the Ottawa Redblacks entered day 5 of the 2020 CFL free agency period. On day one, the Redblacks went all out and signed 5 along with re-signing two players.
Although it seems like the team made quite the impact on the free agency market in signing Cleyon Laing, Don Unamba, Christophe Mulamba, Anthony Coombs and Abdul Kanneh, they have been very quiet throughout the other days of free agency.
After day one, it seemed as if the Redblacks would do just that (keep quiet) as Desjardins quoted “We’ve used our money on (re-signing) Nolan MacMillan, Alex Mateas, JP Bolduc, Brad Sinopoli, Nigel Romick, Brendan Gillanders … Avery Ellis, Mike Wakefield … that’s where our money went.” giving a hint that the team didn’t have much money to spend on other free agents.
They kept quiet on signing big free agents, but they still had enough room to re-sign CFL veteran Ettore Lattanzio. Lattanzio has been with the Ottawa Redblacks since 2015, shortly after the Winnipeg Bluebombers elected to draft him in the 5th round of the 2015 CFL draft.
Unfortunately, his time in Winnipeg didn’t last long, as they wanted him to play an offensive role at fullback, but without the short stint out west, he wouldn’t be able to call himself a Redblack.
As a piece to the defensive line here in Ottawa, Ettore has suited up 63 times, making 71 tackles, sacking quarterbacks 8 different times and forcing two fumbles.
From the looks of previous seasons, Lattanzio has the potential to be a starter on the Redblacks defense this season, and will be a great player to keep around.
Last off-season, there were multiple Redblacks fans questioning GM Marcel Desjardins’ actions, as the team lost QB Trevor Harris, RB William Powell, WR Greg Ellingson and Diontae Spencer along with OL Sir Vincent Rogers. Those were big pieces to the Ottawa Redblacks puzzle in 2018, and come 2019, they couldn’t quite fill the missing pieces.
In 2019, the team went 3-15 and the team’s MOP was Avery Williams who played in just 11 games.
Although last year was tough for Redblacks fans, they just had to wait their turn. Their turn didn’t take too long to come as it seems, today as the CFL opened up free agency, the Ottawa Redblacks made sure they made a positive impact, and they did.
In the early hours, the team brought in both Cleyon Laing and Don Unamba which showed promise that the Redblacks defense would be a factor in next years CFL season. The team was a factor early on in free agency, but how about at the end of the day! To finish the day off the Redblacks had signed Christophe Mulamba, and Abdul Kanneh to add to Laing and Unamba.
To pair with the big defensive signings, the Ottawa Redblacks did make a move on running back/ slot back Anthony Coombs. Coombs isn’t exactly the big name receiver most of you expected to come to the capital, but him flexing at both running back and receiver can be a huge part to LaPolice’s system.
When he was asked about his salary situation, it didn’t sound like Marcel Desjardins and the Redblacks have much to spend, so today’s big moves may be the rest of the excitement, other than a few smaller moves to come later.
The Ottawa Redblacks are now under 48 hours away from CFL free agency. This past week, the team and the rest of the CFL were able to reach out to pending free agents and hearing from Marcel Desjardins in a press conference based upon the introduction of quarterback Nick Arbuckle, the team will look to build around him.
The team of course wants to build the Ottawa Redblacks identity around the quarterback, but it will also have to be built the right way to make sure the players are a good fit, so for all Redblacks or CFL fans, I would keep your eyes on the former Winnipeg Blue Bomber receivers and running backs as Redblacks head coach Paul LaPolice spent the majority of his coaching career calling plays out west.
Last season, ahead of the acquisitions of LaPolice and Arbuckle, the Redblacks had a struggle-full season going 3-15, and their passing game was at an all-time low. Juggling between three starting quarterbacks, the starting receivers were only able to catch and run for 2,988 yards. With the Redblacks only holding onto both RJ Harris and Brad Sinopoli for 2020, the team will be out to get new targets for Nick Arbuckle in free agency.
Top targets
DaVaris Daniels
Taking a look in at Daniels, he may be a little pricey on the salary cap because he believes he is a top tier receiver in the league, although with him seeking a new deal else where he has the opportunity to come to the capital.
Most recently, Daniels played the 2019 season a part of the Edmonton Eskimos receiving core where he tallied up 54 receptions for 738 yards and two touchdowns in just 13 games. Before suiting up in Edmonton, he played with Alberta’s other CFL team in Calgary for 3 seasons, and he had the chance to play with Nick Arbuckle for the 2018 season.
Although he hasn’t played a number one role in the CFL just yet, the 27 year old has been able to use his 6’1 height advantage to catch and run for over 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns. With a an opening left in the Redblacks receiving core, there is a chance he comes to Ottawa and re-unites with former Calgary teammate Nick Arbuckle.
Derel Walker
In Walker’s 5 year career up in the CFL, he’s put together 3 1,000 yard seasons and has found himself at the top of the depth chart where ever he’s played. In Edmonton, he made a name for himself earning an NFL contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he played the 2017 NFL pre-season and then he came to Toronto for the 2019 CFL season hoping to get a shot at a grey cup, although that didn’t go as planned, he did get a 1,000 yard season out of it.
Walker is a 28 year old receiver, standing just over 6 foot 2 and being the bi body he is, there is a chance he can come to Ottawa and be a number 1 receiver to help the progression of young receiver RJ Harris, and the other young guns a part of the receiving core.
Rodney Smith
Through the past few seasons, the Ottawa Redblacks have enjoyed having a taller receiver a part of the offense, whether its Juron Criner in 2016-17 or Dominique Rhymes in 2017-19 they have been able to get an advantage on defensive backs. Rodney Smith, a 6 foot 5 receiver could be the best fit on the Ottawa Redblacks offense in this year’s free agency.
The team has the possibility of losing Dominique Rhymes to free agency, and will likely let Caleb Holley walk also, and could use a big body on the receiving core. Smith has only played two seasons in the CFL a part of the Toronto Argonauts after spending time on practice squads in the NFL, but in two seasons, he’s been able to catch 74 passes for just shy of 1,000 yards and 5 touchdowns.
If I were the Ottawa Redblacks, I’d keep both eyes on Smith as he is set to become a free agent this Tuesday.
Canadian kids
Llevi Noel
Llevi Noel, who has spent 4 seasons in Toronto has a lot of experience and could be a great piece to the Ottawa Redblacks mostly because of the fact that he’s a Canadian. Last season, the Redblacks had Nate Behar a part of the Redblacks Canadian receiving core as for the veteran Brad Sinopoli, but if given the chance Llevi Noel could be a great addition.
The Canadian stands just over 6 foot and in the 4 seasons in Toronto, he’s given the Argonauts a run for their money, suiting up for 70 games, catching over 75 passes for just over 800 yards and 4 touchdowns. In 2018, he was able to catch and run for 512 yards.
If he is given the best opportunities here in Ottawa, 512 yards is a great production from a Canadian receiver, and would be a great pickup for the Redblacks.
Juwan Brescacin
Similar to DaVaris Daniels, Brescacin has played a part of the same offense as Nick Arbuckle. The Canadian receiver from Mississauga, Ontario is just days away from coming closer to home. With a contract in Ottawa, he would be just over 4 hours from home and it is for sure something that should happen. When free agency is open on Tuesday at noon, the Redblacks will have the opportunity to make that happen.
The team will have the chance to get out and get Brescacin on Tuesday, but ahead of what could be a future in Ottawa, he has played 4 seasons in Calgary, where he’s suited up for 44 games, catching 69 passes for over 1,000 yards and 6 touchdowns. As seen, the numbers that Brescacin has put up in past seasons are great for a Canadian, and if he can dress up in red and black, the 6’4 receiver could play a large role in the offense led by his former teammate Nick Arbuckle.
Potential veteran presences
Emmanuel Arceneaux
Emannuel Arceneaux, who goes by Manny is and has been at the top of the CFL for the majority of his career, and when he is a free agent this Tuesday, there will be a lot of teams looking at him, but Ottawa would be one of the best fits for him.
The 32 year old receiver has been in the league for 9 seasons, where he’s been able to put up 4 1,000 yard seasons, totaling for over 8,000 career receiving yards and 57 touchdowns. With the years he has in the CFL and the numbers he’s put up, Arceneaux can help out the young receiving core that Ottawa has along with the young quarterback they have in 26 year old Nick Arbuckle.
Arceneaux should have a good scout sheet with the Ottawa Redblacks because of the time he spent with Mike Benevides during his head coaching tenure in BC. With the experience with him, and chance to be a player coach on the field in Ottawa, the team’s front office should have Arceneaux on their eyes come Tuesday.
SJ Green
Next to Derel Walker on the Toronto Argonauts depth chart was S.J Green, a 13 season veteran receiver in the CFL. Green stands at 6 foot 2, and at 34 years old, he’s been able to put up big numbers late in his career showing that he can still do it all.
SJ Green (19) of the Toronto Argonauts during the game against the Calgary Stampeders at BMO Field in Toronto, ON, Thursday, August 3, 2017. (Photo: Johany Jutras)
In his career he’s caught and ran for over 10,000 yards, and 60 touchdowns, and with his 1,000 yard season he was able to get a year ago if he is brought to Ottawa he could be a number one receiver on the offense.
Naaman Roosevelt
Naaman Roosevelt, who has been in the CFL for 5 seasons will have the chance to move on from his longtime CFL home in Saskatchewan, where he’s been able to put up over 4,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. The time he’s spent in Saskatchewan in now over as CFL on TSN analyst David Naylor reports that the Roughriders will move on from Roosevelt.
in Saskatoon, SK, June 8, 2018
Photo Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards
Of all the options in the CFL, the Ottawa Redblacks could be at the top for Roosevelt as he becomes a free agent. The receiver has had two 1,000 yard seasons in Saskatchewan and if he can produce that same production in Ottawa, he could be a great veteran player on this Redblacks offense.
On this list of receivers, there are many more, although we will only know this Tuesday who got the chance to sign in Ottawa. Stay tuned for more Redblacks news as the team will enter CFL free agency this Tuesday February 11th at 12:00 EDT. Go Redblacks!
This off-season has been super busy for the Ottawa Redblacks thus far, and the biggest transaction made by the team’s general manager Marcel Desjardins was the team’s new head coach Paul LaPolice.
LaPolice, as everyone knows brought in a group of coaches for the coaching staff, although the coaching staff was brought in, he was also able to bring in a smaller group of players. Of that group of players, were mostly players he’s already coached like Kevin Anderson (Former Winnipeg QB) and Timothy Flanders (Former Winnipeg RB). The moves he’s made haven’t been too big in the news because they weren’t a part of the famous CFL free agency, but they are two moves that could make an impact and already have made an impact on the roster.
The Redblacks first pre-season game may be over 100 days away, but looking in on Kevin Anderson, it looks like he’ll be on the team in 2020. Just weeks following his signing, his spot on the team was made open by releasing both Jonathon Jennings and William Arndt and with the time he’s already spent with LaPolice in Winnipeg, it shows comfort within both the player and coach and he could have a decent future in Ottawa sitting at just 25 years old.
Paul LaPolice announcement
December 9, 2019
PHOTO: Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photography
As for Timothy Flanders, he has a lot of film behind his name from his time at Sam Houston State University, his NFL training camps and of course his stints here in the CFL, but he still has a little bit to prove on what he’s able to do in red and black. He may be in need of proving but when he first heard the news of the new contract he explains, “I really liked it! I just want an opportunity to play again, I feel like I waited my for my turn everywhere I’ve gone, but here in the CFL the ratio has always been a factor of course in Winnipeg with Andrew (Harris, a Canadian running back). Before it was official, LaPo (Paul LaPolice) reached out to me if I’d be willing to sign and it all worked out so I’m excited to be on the team and ready to get to work.”
Following his quote there, Flanders says “I’ve heard it’s a great city (Ottawa), I’ve been there on the road a couple of times and I’ve seen the city a little bit, but I’ve only really seen the Stadium area from the bus window so I’m excited to see the city of course, but I’m more focused on winning. I want to win a championship, and I want to win a Grey Cup, and this is the best place to do it with how great the fans are and I remember from my road trips to Ottawa just how the fans are always there, so I want to win a Grey Cup here.”
Winnipeg vs Toronto Argos during CFL action in Winnipeg on Saturday, September,17,2016. (Photo Credit Jeff Miller)
The road trips that Timothy Flanders has been on to Ottawa has been with the new coach here in Ottawa, Paul LaPolice when they were together in Winnipeg and to describe his time with LaPolice, he explains, “It’s going to be fun (re-uniting with coach LaPolice), I got the chance to talk to him when I played with Calgary this past year so I’m excited. It will be different than my other times with him because he’s the head coach but he should be calling plays, but I’m excited and hopefully I can get a hold of the plays a little early to see what’s up.”
All of the hype in Ottawa is about the team’s newest head coach, but just last week the team was introducing the city and the fans to their newest starting quarterback in Nick Arbuckle. Along with Flanders’ time with LaPolice in Winnipeg, he also played a couple of games in the same backfield as Nick Arbuckle just this past CFL season and Timothy goes on to say, “I think it’ll be a lot of fun to play with him again! When I first got to Calgary, he (Arbuckle) was one of the guys who helped me adjust to the team’s play book and stuff. Obviously Bo (Levi Mitchell) helped out a lot, but I probably spent more time with Nick (Arbuckle) and he was a big help. He is a great quarterback (Nick Arbuckle) and he made the most out of his opportunities which is why he is going to be a big guy in Ottawa to build a team around. I’m really excited for him and from what it looks like he’s going to have a great opportunity with me in Ottawa.”
Nick Arbuckle, new Redblacks quarterback, who played with Flanders in Calgary
Ahead of the days he spent in the CFL where he played with Arbuckle and a few other greats at the quarterback position, Timothy Flanders got the chance at a few NFL training camps with both the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns, and from the time down south, he has some interesting stories, starting off with playing by the side of Drew Brees with the Saints. “Man I was excited (to play with Brees), I was a Saints fan growing up, so that whole opportunity worked out, because I knew the player kind of before I played with him.” Flanders also says, “He (Drew Brees) is a heck of a leader and when you go around, there’s nothing negative ever out of Drew Brees, and one thing I always thought stood out for him was whenever we did a drill at practice, when he threw the ball, he always set his feet and go through his progression no matter what was going on.”
Drew Brees/ Flanders’ old teammate, big leader
From the quote above, he Flanders has said how good of a leader Brees is for the NFL, and the players he is with, so he went on to tell a neat story of his time with him, “During that time at camp, I was fortunate to hear about the birth of my son, and my roommate Logan Kilgore who was a part of the quarterbacks there told Drew about that and Drew later came up to me and was like ‘congrats’ and welcomed me to fatherhood and he was just excited for me so I thought that was an awesome bit from my time there.”
The biggest NFL stint looks like it was with the Saints for Timothy Flanders, although, just a year after that, he was brought into the Cleveland Browns organization where he played 4 pre-season games. In the time in Cleveland, he talks about an interaction he had with future NFL hall of fame offensive lineman Joe Thomas, “When I first got there (Cleveland), I went to the first team meeting and there were only a few spots left to sit and I wanted to get a good spot. There ended up being a spot right next to Joe (Thomas), and when I first sat next to him he introduced himself saying ‘Hey, I’m Joe, who are you?’ and I went on to telling him my name (Timothy Flanders), and being the joker he is he said ‘oh hey Ned’ (NedFlandersfrom the Simpsons), so I said no it’s Timothy, but he refused to call me that so we went on to laugh about that”
JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Timothy Flanders (20) at a pre-season training camp in Winnipeg Friday, May 25, 2018.
As you look into his career behind him, Timothy Flanders has a lot of great stories from the experience he has been granted throughout his career but standing at 28 years old, he has a lot of time left on his career clock and with the contract here in Ottawa, there is a good time waiting for him. The Ottawa Redblacks do have both John Crockett and Brendan Gillanders back to the team, but with Flanders is Akeem Hunt, and Jarvion Franklin, therefore when you take a look in on the running back position, there is a lot of talent and Redblacks running backs coach Charlie Eger is in for a show this season. As mentioned in the interview with Flanders, he is pretty excited to be in Ottawa, and so should you Redblacks fans. Flanders is here to win a Grey Cup.
This past CFL season, the Ottawa Redblacks went 3-15 and were at an all-time low, although there were multiple players on the team proving that the team shouldn’t have been where they were in the standings. Sure they only won 3 games, and you’re saying that they deserved to be last place although, there were too many bright spots to take away from last year.
In 2019, the Ottawa Redblacks didn’t get into the playoffs like they usually do, although they could have found a few players to stick with them for the next couple of years. Some played with the team last season, and the team brought in some players prior to free agency who can make an impact quickly.
DeVonte Dedmon
Last season, the Ottawa Redblacks discovered DeVonte Dedmon. Dedmon played the first pre-season game with the team, where he shook all of TD Place on a 100 yard kickoff return for a touchdown, along with a 38 yard catch and run at his desired position of wide receiver. Unfortunately, Dedmon was also injured in that game which sat him out until July 19th when the Ottawa Redblacks brought him back to play for the team.
After Dedmon was brought back to Ottawa, he was put into the lineup as soon as possible, where he was able to fill the hole at the returning position. In his first game vs Winnipeg in week 6, he gained over 190 return yards, and showed Redblacks fans and coaches what he was all about. The next week, Dedmon had his first reception worth 12 yards and then shook the whole league with his returning ability on a road trip to Montreal.
Just 2 games into his CFL career, Dedmon woke up Redblacks fans with a monster game. He returned kicks for an Ottawa franchise record 377 yards along with 2 touchdowns. With this game, he was put onto ESPN and TSN top plays for months and secured a spot on the team for another while.
Although he was found on the TV quite a bit for highlights, Dedmon missed some significant time with injuries. Following his monster performance in Montreal on August 2nd, he was only dressed to play twice more in the season. Dedmon finished the season with 939 all-purpose yards on just 42 touches which sent him to 22.5 yards/touch.
Many of you whine because we don’t have Diontae Spencer with us, but DeVonte Dedmon has the potential to make you jump out of your seat every time he gets the ball, so Dedmon, sitting at just 24 years old could be the Redblacks top guy at receiver in the next couple of years.
John Crockett
Yes, we all know John Crockett from last season, and of course him throwing up against Winnipeg in his CFL debut, but there’s more to Crockett than that. John Crockett comes to Ottawa after jumping through NFL teams and testing out the AAF in a span of 5 years.
Through his professional career, the 27 year old has been able to find himself a part of some legendary company like the time he spent in the same backfield as future NFL hall of famer Aaron Rodgers. Although it seems like he did a lot in the NFL jumping from team to team, his CFL stint here in Ottawa could be the best time of his football career.
The Redblacks lost William Powell to free agency a year ago, and found themselves n trouble finding the right runningback to replace him, but after a little bit of time the team found Crockett to be the future. They started the season off with Mossis Madu who had over 600 all-purpose yards while Crockett filled in for the other half of the season gaining over 500 yards.
At just 27 years old, Crockett has started just 6 games this past season as a rookie in the CFL, and will obtain the starting role in Ottawa where he can put together a career year.
De’Chavon ‘Gump’ Hayes + DeAndre Farris
This past CFL season, the Ottawa Redblacks took a beating by injuries, and were forced to pick up players to fill the holes on the roster. Among all injuries, the defensive back position was hit the hardest by the injury bug, and the relacements that Redblacks general manager Marcel Desjardins brought in were fantastic.
The most notable defensive backs from last season were Corey Tindal, Randall Evans, Sherrod Baltimore and Chris Randle, but there was a pair of young guys that brought light to the secondary also.
When they needed to stop a big play, they were there, when they needed a turnover they were there, both DeAndre Farris and De’Chavon Hayes created 4 interceptions as a pair along with 67 total tackles. The main reason they came to play last year was because of the injury trouble the team faced with Jonathan Rose.
Rose only played 3 games last season, and by the looks of it he will have a short season once again. Just weeks ago, Jonathan Rose went in for neck surgery to fix an injury he had last season. With this news it looks as if the two Farris and Hayes will be given expanded roles on the Redblacks defense and from their performances last season, the Redblacks are in good hands.
Jerminic Smith
In last year’s free agency period in the CFL, the Ottawa Redblacks lost some key components on the team which includes both Greg Ellingson and Diontae Spencer. After losing those two big names, the Ottawa Redblacks weren’t quite sure who they’d have at the receiver position. The team was held with just RJ Harris, Dominique Rhymes and Caleb Holley starting at the spot. Out of the 3, Rhymes was the only one to play the majority of the season with 17 games and was the only one to get over 1,000 yards.
Along the group, Harris was able to get over 700 in just 14 games, as he battled injuries for the length of the season, but in the back on the group was Jerminic Smith. Smith played just 2 games with the Redblacks, but when he was needed he performed. In the two games played Smith showed what he was all about, catching 8 passes for 87 yards, and showed that he could be a great piece of the Redblacks future.
Smith is also just 23 years old, so keep your eyes on him this season.
Justin Hobbs
Prior to CFL free agency, the Ottawa Redblacks went out to get a large group of players to play for the 2020 team. In free agency, the team is set to have both Caleb Holley and Dominique Rhymes test the market which brings a need for the receiver position, although the team already has a good group at the position.
Just before Christmas, the Ottawa Redblacks came together on contracts with a long list of players and one of them was Justin Hobbs. Hobbs is a 6’4 receiver from the University of Tulsa. He hasn’t had any opportunities on the professional level, although his time at Tulsa explains exactly why he is a good fit for this Redblacks team.
The 23 year old played 4 seasons at Tulsa, where he used his physical appearance as an advantage gaining over 2,500 yards and 12 total touchdowns.
If Hobbs can use his big body like Dominique Rhymes did in Ottawa, he can be a top target in the CFL at the receiver position.
The newest Ottawa Redblacks quarterback is very excited to be an Ottawa Redblacks quarterback, although this contract in Ottawa isn’t the only thing Nick is focused on heading into the remainder of 2020. Arbuckle and his wife Zakiyyah Shabazz are expecting a baby girl this coming May, and Nick is extremely excited about the arrival of the baby that he’s added a piece to his wardrobe to say so.
Nick Arbuckle at the press conference wearing the famous “Daddy to be” ribbon
Today the Ottawa Redblacks had a press conference in which Nick Arbuckle announced his future with the Ottawa Redblacks, but the ribbon found on the right of his chest stole the show. The ribbon has written on it “Daddy to be” and Arbuckle explains at the podium, “My wife has her belly to indicate she’s going to be a mom, so I felt like I needed something too.” With the ribbon, Arbuckle shows his excitement in being a father, but found in his voice was his excitement to become the next starting quarterback here in Ottawa.
Arbuckle’s rights were traded to the Ottawa Redblacks in early January, and they agreed upon a contract just last week. The contract brings him to Ottawa for two seasons, although he wants to be here more than just 2 years. He explains, “Moving full time to Ottawa is in the conversations with my wife and I, it will definitely be a different off-season next year compared to previous ones because we did move back to the states the last off-season, but what ever seems the most stable, because we’re all about stability” Along with that quote from Nick Arbuckle, he also said while up on the podium that football is the perfect job for him and his future, “In this job, I can have the ability to succeed and be known for football, but I can also see myself spending a lot of family time also and be a good husband and father, so I look forward to raising a family in Ottawa during and hopefully after playing football.”
Arbuckle and Shabazz (Arbuckle’s wife) look to raise a family in Ottawa in the future which follows the contract agreement between both him and the Ottawa Redblacks, but why did he choose Ottawa? Well, he explains his decision in an interview with myself saying, “The city and the people (sold me to play here), it may sound weird but the people I talked to in the city and who had experience in Ottawa sold me to sign here full time. There’s this guy that works valet at the Westin hotel downtown Ottawa, and during my first visit here in January, I got to know him and he was one of the only people I met at the beginning of my visit in Ottawa and he was really warm and welcoming. He is a guy I talked to for several minutes while I was there and he later found out who I was so he was rooting for me to sign. The conversations I’ve had with the people here have really made my decision clear that I signed here in Ottawa.”
It seems like his visit here in Ottawa is what sold him on signing in Ottawa, but before he was able to make those decisions and before his rights were traded to Ottawa, he played a couple games here with the Calgary Stampeders, he explains his favorite part of the trips to Ottawa was winning, although when he looked back onto it he explained, “Whenever we were here, we stayed at the Westin, and it felt like a great downtown environment, and when we are on the road, I’m not one to get out and walk around but when we were in Ottawa it was much different. I personally loved walking around the market and taking a look at the city. Not only is the city so great, but the stadium is one of the coolest in the league with the canal right in the backdrop, you’ve got to love it!”
All in all, Nick Arbuckle is more than excited to be on the home side of TD place this upcoming season, and you fans better be ready to cheer him on! Checkout the video version of our interview below!
JZ MEDIA 