As the Ottawa REDBLACKS continue through the first week of Training Camp, Lets take a look at some position battles that have started to take shape.
RUNNING BACKS
With the Off-Season Achilles injury to American Running back DeVonte Williams and the sudden retirement of Canadian Running back Jackson Bennett, there was a hole in the backfield that quickly needed to be addressed and early in camp, it looks like there is one player separating from the pack.
American Running Back Ryquell Armstead has been receiving a majority of the first team reps. The Temple product has shown his acceleration and patience to find the open hole. He also has the power to break off tacklers and fight for extra yards.
Canadian Running Back Amlicar Polk has spent time taking time with the first team. The Ottawa Gee-Gees product has shown sparks of being a quality relief back and has taken a majority of second team reps.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
After giving up a league worst 71 sacks in 2023, There is a large microscope on how the offensive line will perform in 2024.
Right Tackle is the biggest question mark and with Shawn Burke using the 2nd overall pick on Ottawa Gee-Gees tackle Zack Pelehos in 2022 and Fresno State Bulldogs Tackle Dontae Bull in 2023, there is expectations within the organization that either one of them will take over that Right Tackle Spot for the future. Dontae Bull suffered a knee injury on early in camp, which has led to Pelehos getting the vast majority of first team reps so far through camp.
American Drake Centers saw starts in 2023 at Right Tackle and has had reps at both left Tackle and right Tackle so far through camp with the second team.
Right now, It is Pelehos spot to lose but a bad performance next Saturday when they visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for the pre-season opener could open the door for either Bull or Centers the following week.
Receivers
With the surprise release of Nate Behar, There has been questions regarding on who will take over that starting Canadian spot come training camp.
Right now, Carleton Ravens product Keaton Bruggeling is in that spot but with the recent signing of 2024 2nd overall pick Nick Mardner, Keaton will need to produce to keep that spot. Much like Pelehos, the microscope is going to be fixated on him and the way to make it smaller is to produce.
One player that has been impressive this week and during Rookie Camp was Central Michigan Kalil Pimpleton. He has been shown incredible speed and ability to stretch the field. He finds the soft spot in zone defense and burn the defensive back when man to man.
Final Huddle – Injury bug hitting Ottawa early? Wide Receiver & Punt Returner DeVonte Dedmon was seen with crutches during practice, Offensive lineman Drew Desjarlais and Dariuoz Bladek both did not finish practice. Defensive backs Brandon Dandridge and Justin Howell did not participate in practice. Dontae Bull was walking around without a knee brace, still no timeline on his return to practice
The Ottawa Redblacks kick off their Pre-Season Saturday May 25th when they visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. You can catch all the action free on CFL+ at 2:00pm.