FLYIN ‘RYAN: Catcher Davis looks to do more to help Redblacks start winning

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HAMILTON – While Ryan Davis has started to emerge as a good catcher for the Ottawa Redblacks, he’s not satisfied.

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Wanting to improve his numbers, through 10 games, the 24-year-old Auburn rookie has 46 receptions for 511 yards, and he wants to do his part to help his team win soccer games. With a 2-8 record and only four games remaining, time is running out for the Redblacks. But they did it again Saturday at Hamilton and a win over the Tiger-Cats would be a start to put something together. Worry about this week. Go 1-0. Then move on to next week, when the Redblacks host the Calgary Stampeders. One game at a time. Really, when you’re a team that’s 1-8 in its last nine games, that’s all you can do.

In the past four games, Davis has been attacked 32 times and has 19 catches for 253 yards and, replacing injured punt returner DeVonte Dedmon last week against Montreal, Davis had eight punt returns for 60 yards. But Davis wants more … always.

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“Any great player who is serious about this should want to put the game in their hands, do whatever they can to win,” Davis said. “If you are losing, you are not doing enough. First I look at myself in the mirror. ‘How can I improve? Instead of just catching the ball, what can I do to score? Could it have gone five more yards? You always want to improve, find a way to get more out of (yourself) and find a way to win. “

When asked how he has improved from day one, Davis said: “I’m not trying to solve everything at once, I’m learning from my mistakes and trying not to make the same mistakes twice. My understanding of defenses (has improved). At first I was just running fast, sometimes I was going too fast in zones. Back in America, you get press (coverage) and the guys attack you. Here you have more time, you don’t have to rush your route. Once I started learning the covers, it’s a way to play faster and slow down the game to where I can get more catches and be in those areas where the quarterback needs me to be. “

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There’s a chance Davis will go back to work Saturday, but there’s also a good chance Terry Williams will enter the lineup with a big role on special teams.

Williams, who signed with the Redblacks just over a month ago, hopes to have a chance to help. If you are called to play on Saturday, you are ready to step up.

“Since you played the game at a young age, you always have little butterflies,” he said. “But you shut it up when it’s your time. Coaches help you make sure. Let everything else slip away, just play your game like you’ve been playing it your whole life. “

Williams said the wait to get into a game is helped by supportive teammates, part of that soccer locker room brotherhood.

“As a competitor, you always want to be there, you always want to be ready,” he said. “It can be difficult, but with good guys around you, your great teammates, everyone stays positive, so you stay positive.”

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CHANGE OF LINES: Clement Lebreux looked out of place in practice Tuesday, wearing a black defensive jersey, working alongside white jersey offensive linemen. But the Redblacks, who have had injury problems on their offensive front, want to see how he does on offense. Wednesday was day 2 of the experiment for the 27-year-old, 6-foot-4, 300-pound boy. Lebreux, who was wearing a white T-shirt.

Said Redblacks head coach Paul LaPolice: “We think there could be a future there. He has some athletic skills, he’s strong, he’s powerful. This could be a position he could play in. “

“With the depth that we have at the defensive line position, with all the talented veterans that we have, it was quite difficult for me to get on the active roster at that position,” Lebreux said. “We are missing a lot of pieces due to an injury on the O line, so it is a logical move for the team to make. And for me, I think it adds value to what I can contribute ”.

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While at Vanier College nearly 10 years ago, the nose tackle, who was selected in the eighth round of the 2019 CFL Draft by the Redblacks, practiced quite a bit on the offensive line. But it’s not a long offensive line résumé.

“The practice representatives at CEGEP are not even in the same universe,” Lebreux said. “It’s very different. As a defensive lineman, you’re looking to attack, you’re looking to move forward, push your pocket, use your power. In O-line, you’re trying to suck the guy more than power through him. It’s probably the best fit for him. It’s not the same angles, it’s not the same posture. The way you make contact isn’t the same. It’s a learning process for me, but so far, it’s not that bad, there’s a good foundation. “

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THE END AROUND: The CFL simulation says the Redblacks have a 0.97 percent chance of making the playoffs. His odds of appearing in the Gray Cup are listed as 0.07 percent. Your odds of winning the Cup are listed as 0.01 percent. That’s not good, is it? … After being a limited participant on Wednesday, Redblacks SB Anthony Coombs (back) had a full practice Thursday … OL Mark Korte (shoulder) had limited reps … In Ticats injury report, OL Darius Ciraco and RB Sean Thomas-Erlington were listed as Limited Thursday. DB and returner Frankie Williams (boss) haven’t practiced all week. Looks like DL Ted Laurent (knee) will play … All-Star DB Winston Rose, who played for the Redblacks in 2017, has joined the already stacked Winnipeg Blue Bombers … CFL anticipates 93 percent of your players will be fully vaccinated by October 31st.