TIME TO SHINE: Justin Howell gives Ottawa Redblacks teammates pep talk before game vs. Ticats

For the 2nd straight year, Bob Dyce has actually gotten in touch with security Justin Howell to talk with his Ottawa Redblacks colleagues, a number of them novices, a number of hours before they struck the roadway for their very first CFL pre-season video game on Saturday afternoon in Hamilton.

The Redblacks beginners on Saturday in The Hammer will mainly be newbies, guys defending tasks as training school starts to unwind.

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Howell, a seventh-round draft choice by the Redblacks in 2018, is the poster young boy to highlight what effort throughout the pre-season can do. In his group’s 2nd pre-season video game 6 years earlier, he locked down a lineup area with his efficiency versus the Toronto Argos in Guelph.

There is presently heated up competitors throughout the board for lineup areas. And, so, on Friday, Dyce called Howell to the middle of the huddle to provide some words of motivation and hope.

“He spoke about being a fifth-string security (throughout training school),” stated Dyce. “He made such an impression that (we needed to put him on the lineup). That’s what I’m trying to find from these guys. They need to take this chance and decide as difficult as possible for us. That’s on them. I typically inform them I never ever set the depth chart, they do. That’s how they need to take a look at it.

“It’s been an extremely competitive camp. You wish to stand apart within the structure of what we’re attempting to do on offense, unique groups and defence. You’ve got to reveal that you have the capability to play here.”

While the Tiger-Cats will have a number of their forecasted beginners in the lineup (noteworthy exceptions are running back James Butler, protective back Jamal Peters and protective lineman Dewayne Hendrix) for Saturday’s video game (2 p.m. start), numerous of the Redblacks’ crucial gamers will sit. That consists of receivers Bralon Addison, Justin Hardy, Jaelon Acklin and Dominique Rhymes, protective backs Howell and Money Hunter, linebackers Adarius Pickett, Jovan Santos-Knox and Frankie Griffin, kicker Lewis Ward, protective linemen Bryce Carter, Mike Wakefield, Cleyon Laing and Lorenzo Mauldin IV and offending linemen Dino Boyd and Drew Desjarlais.

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One huge exception for the Redblacks: Dru Brown, Ottawa’s beginning quarterback, will take the very first snaps on Saturday. After investing much of the previous 3 seasons behind Zach Collaros on heaven Bombers depth chart, Brown is ‘the guy’ in Ottawa. Each chance to get more comfy with brand-new offending co-ordinator Tommy Condell’s playbook is a good idea.

“Any time you enter into a pre-season video game, you wish to be tidy and crisp,” stated Brown. “From an analytical sense. I ‘d like to simply carry out the offense, aid interact to the young guys where they require to be and what requires to be done and set a requirement.”

As training school starts to mix into the opening of the season, Brown states he’s in an excellent location.

“I feel comfy,” he stated. “As training school goes, you’re undoubtedly investing a great deal of time with the guys, you’re getting accustomed and beginning to construct relationships, which is eventually what it boils down to when you’re in my position. We’re well on our method to producing those relationships and being tight as a system.

“From an organized sense, whatever is clicking. Pre-season is constantly relatively vanilla as far as what you’re going to do. You’re truly simply looking for guys to play quick and carry out things we’ve done given that Day 1 of camp.”

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Receiver Keaton Bruggeling, a third-round draft choice (out of Carleton University) in 2022, is among the gamers attempting to make an effect Saturday. He’s noted as a starter, ahead of Nick Mardner, the group’s first-round choice this year, and with the departure of Nate Behar, there is a beginning area open.

“I feel exceptional, the very best shape I’ve remained in entering into and going through a camp,” stated Bruggeling. “I like this offense a lot. I seem like it plays to my strengths. I’m anticipating display what I can do.

“Everyone’s thrilled to strike someone. We’ve had a number of weeks of simply running around and not actually getting the opportunity to reveal what we can do when the ball is live. A great deal of guys play much better when video games are live.”

Inquired about the locker-room ambiance compared to the Redblacks of 2023, Bruggeling stated: “New group, brand-new whatever. The training personnel, everybody is far more favorable. There’s better interaction within the offense. I feel the enthusiasm, I feel everybody’s purchased in. We actually believe we can do some damage this year.”

And just how much does Saturday’s video game indicate?

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“It’s a gaining culture,” stated Bruggeling. “Everyone wishes to win. If you’re not attempting to win, why are you out there?”

Try to find the Redbacks to utilize a veteran-heavy lineup in their 2nd pre-season video game, next Friday in your home versus Montreal. Ottawa then has a bye throughout Week 1 of the routine season, opening in the house June 13 versus Winnipeg.

“This a marathon more than it is a sprint,” stated Dyce. “We’re simply at the start of our journey, we have a long method to go.”

tbaines@postmedia.com
X: @TimCBaines

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