In their last three games, the Ottawa REDBLACKS’ defence has allowed only two touchdowns, both of which came in their tie against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, with one in overtime.
It’s a continuation of the strong effort they’ve displayed all season long thus far, allowing only 23.6 points per game (third best in the league), and 16 touchdowns, which is second to only the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
On it’s own, their ability to hold the opposition off the scoreboard has been impressive, but when you delve into the context in which it has happened, it becomes even more so. They’ve been injury-plagued, missing Frankie Griffin, Money Hunter, Alijah McGhee, Brandin Dandridge, and Tobias Harris at one point or another. Still, it has been next man up in 2024.
“We set a standard in the room,” said defensive back Damon Webb. “No matter who goes out on the field, they’re held to the same standard. Guys know when they come in and out of the lineup that they have to play at the same level as the dude before them did.”
The credit for the success lies around every corner, according to Head Coach Bob Dyce.
“We have an outstanding group of players,” Dyce said. “It just as important that Coach Miles is doing a great job over there, but the players have really embodied what he is saying, and playing great team defence. They are accountable to each other, and they push one another to be great.”
“They have great belief in themselves, and they should, because they are a great defence. They are pushing to be better, and when you have a group like that, you can have success.”
At different points of the season, the defence has flexed their muscles in big moments. Whether it was Webb’s diving pass breakup in Week 2, the stifling efforts in the past three games, or holding the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to 22 points in a pivotal East Division matchup, they have been game-changers.
“We’re just gaining confidence throughout the weeks,” Webb said. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, we’re just progressing as a defence. We’re just out there having fun with it.”
A season ago, the REDBLACKS struggled with allowing deep shot plays, with many of them ending in the endzone. It often zapped the team’s energy away, and left the offence in must-score mode, increasing pressure on their young quarterback.
This season, they have been much better in that department, allowing the third-fewest big plays in the league, keeping the play in front of them, and limiting the explosive output. That has been thanks to the playmakers at all levels of the defence, right from the big guys up front, to the agile defensive backs, strapping up the league’s best receivers.
The responsibilities are shared, and so is the praise, says defensive lineman and CFL veteran, Cleyon Laing.
“We have a genuine team atmosphere,” Laing said. “The camaraderie and devotion to one another [is key]. Every room is different, but I can speak for ours in tune, the last thing we want to do is disappoint our fellow defensive linemen, our linebackers, or miss a play for our defensive backs.”
“We know and believe that those sacks [and turnovers] will come, we have a room full of dogs. If one guy doesn’t get there, another will, that’s genuinely our mindset. If one of us eats, we all eat. You bring as much to the table as you can so we can all have some food.”
Resilience has been a big factor for the REDBLACKS, who have bought into the Bank Street Bullies identity. When the offence struggles to score, the defence is willing and able to step up and keep them in the game. Last week, right after the Riders had tied the game with a touchdown, the REDBLACKS threw an interception, putting the Riders into scoring range immediately. Still, it wasn’t seen as a negative, just another opportunity to go out there and do their job.
“We have a unique defence in a sense,” Santos-Knox said. “We have so many vets that nothing phases us. We’re locked into doing our jobs, and the older guys have done a good job at keeping everyone level-headed.”
“We practice that scenario so much. We were upset that we gave up the touchdown, but we were able to wash it away, and that’s a testament to how Coach Dyce runs practice.”
If there’s a place the REDBLACKS would like to see some more production from their defence, it’s in the turnovers department. Despite their four takeaways in Week 9, they have the third-fewest in the league, and boast a negative turnover differential, but Webb believes they are on the right track.
“It’s going to come,” Webb said. “We have trust in the defence, and everyone is doing their jobs. We’ve dropped a lot of picks already this year, so if we can catch the ones that do come to us, our turnover ratio will be a lot better.”
Not getting too high this early in the season has been a prudent point from the veterans in the locker room, who say the work isn’t close to over, and there’s still room for growth from the unit.
“We’re still building,” Laing said. “We have a high standard in that room, and we have a lot of All-Stars in our room. We’re not even close to our pinnacle, or where we want to be. The sky is our limit, we just have to keep playing.”
Heading to Calgary on Thursday night, the REDBLACKS are primed to face the Stampeders, who they dominated on both sides of the ball in their last meeting. They held the Stamps out of the endzone, and hope to do the exact same once again.
“That was the standard,” Webb said. “We didn’t give up a touchdown the first time, and we ain’t planning on giving one up this time. I know they’re showing up with a chip on their shoulder, they’ll be trying to prove a point, but we’ll be ready for the challenge.”
