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Vancouver Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
What we've learned about the Ottawa Redblacks through two games of the CFL season
The soundtrack of post-game quotes emanating from the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday was more like a broken record than the missed opportunity of tying one. For the second straight week, their own fingerprints were all over the weapon that killed their chances of breaking into the win column this season. They added a new mode of death with four turnovers on three interceptions, but the word 'penalties' is prominent in the obit of their 39-18 loss to the Montreal Alouettes The Redblacks aren't 0-2 just because they were flagged 11 times for 98 yards against the Alouettes and now have taken a total of 23 penalties for 224 yards — or slightly more than the length of a football field per game. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. In their home opener, for instance, they proved to be inferior to their nearest division rival in almost every way. But the handkerchiefs tossed Ottawa's way remain a pressing problem for a team that also led the Canadian Football League in penalty yards last season. 'We have to understand that we can't let two turn into four,' receiver Eugene Lewis, who was unable to bring his consecutive games touchdown streak to a CFL-record tying 10 games, said of the number in the loss column while there's still a zero under the W. 'It's still early in the season. This doesn't define us as a team, but we've got to be way more disciplined. 'We can't have as many turnovers, we can't have the penalties because that's always a recipe for losing. We know that, and we know what we've got to do to get better.' Lewis blamed the fouls for interrupting the team's 'rhythm' on drives. 'When we did have a positive play, we'd go back minus five,' he said. But even more damaging than the four offensive penalties — a time-count violation by quarterback Matt Shiltz, an illegal procedure call on rookie tackle Darta Lee and the offsides committed by receivers Bralon Addison and Kalil Pimpleton — were the five by the defence. While head coach Bob Dyce pointed a finger at himself for not doing a better job of getting the players to realize the 'challenge' penalties created — 'When you work hard to earn things, you can't give things away,' he said — he does pound the message into them daily. What else does he plan to do? 'I have ways,' Dyce said. 'We'll go forward and take care of that this week.' That could be bad news for American defensive back Robert Priester, a five-year veteran who has won a couple of Grey Cups with the Toronto Argos. Against the Alouettes, Priester was Ottawa's co-leader in defensive tackles with five, but two (not one, but TWO) were illegal horse-collar personal fouls that came just snaps before a Montreal field goal and touchdown. If that wasn't enough, in the third quarter Priester was called for unnecessary roughness — a penalty Dyce has labelled 'selfish' — in the scrum that started when teammate Adarius Pickett was flagged for roughing the passer. Would the Redblacks release Priester, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, and move Bennett Williams, who is used mostly on special teams, into his job as the boundary side DB? Williams, who is primarily a backup for Pickett at strong-side linebacker, did sub in for Priester at one point against Montreal, a game in which he was one of the Redblacks' most productive players with two total tackles, one for a loss and a forced fumble. We'll learn what repercussions Dyce imposes when the Redblacks return to the practice field in preparation for next Saturday's game in Calgary against the Stampeders. Well, for one thing, the extra couple of inches he has on Dru Brown wasn't much of an advantage. Two of his interceptions were deflected at the line of scrimmage, while the other was gobbled up by defensive end Lwal Uguak on the first offensive play of the second quarter. 'It's frustrating as heck,' Shiltz, the 32-year-old veteran backup, said of the interceptions. 'As a quarterback, you think you're seeing the field. You're not necessarily making a bad decision (when) throwing it to the other team, it's more so defensive linemen making those plays at the line of scrimmage. It's something that we're going to have to watch to see how we can mitigate those.' Shiltz completed 68.8 per cent of his passes (22 of 32) for 205 yards, which included a third-quarter TD toss to Addison that kept the Redblacks in the game. But, by his own admission, Shiltz didn't do enough to help Ottawa pull out a victory. 'And that's goal number one,' he said. 'You always want to put your best foot forward, especially in that backup role, and getting an opportunity to show what you can do. And, then, most importantly is mind everything out there for your team and want to get the win for them. Obviously, we didn't play good enough as an offence, as a team, and Montreal did.' Dyce liked seeing the offence have more success in the second half after producing just three points in the first, but the penalties were still on his mind when he gave his overall assessment of the game. 'At the end of the day, there's no moral victories or anything like that,' Dyce said. 'Our job is to work and be a consistent, physical football team and not hurt ourselves.' As for an evaluation of Shiltz's play without the benefit of looking at the video, Dyce again referred to the flags. 'There were obviously a few timing or procedural things, but we practised with this group all week, so that should have been worked out,' he said. It was in his hands. Shiltz hit Lewis at the goal-line with a 30-yard third-quarter toss, but, while Montreal's Lorenzo Burns was called for pass interference to set up the Redblacks' first touchdown on a Dustin Crum one-yard plunge, Lewis noted it should have never reached that point. 'I dropped it,' he said. 'I ain't gonna lie to you. Literally, a touchdown hit my body. I even kind of timed it up for that. I thought I was gonna catch it and just drop in the end-zone. I've done it before. It just popped out.' Lewis said the streak wasn't on his mind in the fourth quarter. 'Honestly, at that point I was thinking about winning,' he said. 'When you're doing that much, that's when you don't want to be selfish because then people will start noticing that you're just thinking about yourself. So if I went to the sideline and said, 'Listen, we're down 20, let's just try to get the touchdown now,' that's not right. If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen. If it's not gonna happen, it's not gonna happen. Like I told Coach Bob Dyce, let's start another one.' 'We're grown men,' Lewis said. 'We've been playing this game for a long time. We get paid to do this, and we gotta do what we're asked to do. That's part of having a job. The penalties will never help you in any sport. Hockey, football, basketball, soccer, anything. You don't want to have penalties because, at the end of the day, that's a recipe to lose the game.'
Hamilton Spectator
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Mother's message played big role in Chiu spending entire CFL career with Alouettes
The temptation was always there but each time Bryan Chiu managed to resist, with a little help. Chiu joined the Montreal Alouettes in 1997 and would remain with them through the 2009. On Thursday, the decorated centre was among five former players and two builders named for induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Chiu was a seven-time CFL all-star and the league's top lineman in 2002. Those accolades created opportunities for the Vancouver native to return west and play for the hometown B.C. Lions. But each time, Chiu received a friendly reminder the grass isn't always greener on the other side. 'All of the credit goes to my mom, it's that Asian culture in us,' Chiu, now 50, said. 'As I had success and every time free agency came, she'd always remind me — loyalty. 'They're the team that drafted you, every other team passed on you. There was always temptation to come back home and play in B.C. but at the end of the day, Montreal gave me that opportunity and it became my second home. That's where I was able to become a man because I went there as a kid.' Montreal drafted the six-foot-two, 290-pound Chiu in the second round, 18th overall, in 1996. After joining the Alouettes the following year, Chiu quickly blossomed into one of the CFL's top centres and an integral member of the Alouettes' offensive front. That unit helped Montreal dominate the East Division. The Alouettes finished atop the East eight times, reached the Grey Cup on seven occasions and won twice (2002, '09). Montreal's offence also included top lineman winners Uzooma Okeke (1999) and Canadian Hall of Famers Pierre Vercheval (2000) and Scott Flory (2008-'09). Leading the offence were quarterback Anthony Calvillo (three times CFL's outstanding player) and receiver Ben Cahoon (twice league's top Canadian). 'Continuity,' Chiu said explaining Montreal's dominance. 'We all understood our job and we held each other accountable. 'But more than that you didn't really have to communicate very much … there was a high expectation to succeed.' Chiu's individual success, though, didn't come naturally. 'I was never the biggest, I wasn't the fastest, I wasn't the strongest,' he said. 'What I knew was in order to have a long career in this league I had to be smarter, I had to study harder. 'I had to understand every defence, every tendency. That just gave me that little edge to be able to play at the level of some of these other guys who were so gifted athletically.' But Chiu said some of his most cherished memories of his time in Montreal came off the field. 'Our group was together for so long … we grew a tight bond,' Chiu said. 'Some of those memories were of going to offensive-line meals, playing cards on the train or hanging out in a hotel room. 'Those are the things I remember more than any Grey Cups or any wins. Those were the relationships that really made me feel like I was part of a family and those guys are the reason why I'm sitting here today.' Chiu's CFL career ended dramatically in the '09 Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium versus the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Trailing by 16 points in the fourth quarter, Montreal pulled to within 27-25 when Damon Duval came on to attempt a 43-yard field goal late in the game. When Duval missed, the Riders conceded the point for the apparent 27-26 victory but were penalized for having 13 players on the field. That gave Duval a second shot from 33 yards out, which he made on the game's final play to give Montreal the improbable 28-27 win. 'It was as that point I knew it was time (to retire),' Chiu said. 'I wanted to go out on top and that was the one memory I'll never forget, just seeing those flags and getting another shot at it. 'I just knew if we missed that kick, I've got to come back and try to play my 14th year because I just couldn't live with going to seven Grey Cups and only winning one. Having that opportunity … it's rare you get to go out on top.' Upon retirement, Chiu moved into coaching. He became Concordia's assistant offensive co-ordinator/offensive line coach June 22, 2010 before serving as an offensive-line coach with the Toronto Argonauts (2014), Ottawa Redblacks (2015-17) and B.C. Lions (2019). Chiu earned a third Grey Cup ring with Ottawa in 2016. Currently, Chiu is the head coach at Vancouver College, his alma mater. 'It (Hall of Fame induction) is an honour and privilege but at the end of the day, I always tell our program no one person is bigger than this team,' he said. 'We don't play for individual awards. 'If you do everything right and respect the game, good things always come.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Mother's message played big role in Chiu spending entire CFL career with Alouettes
The temptation was always there but each time Bryan Chiu managed to resist, with a little help. Chiu joined the Montreal Alouettes in 1997 and would remain with them through the 2009. On Thursday, the decorated centre was among five former players and two builders named for induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Chiu was a seven-time CFL all-star and the league's top lineman in 2002. Those accolades created opportunities for the Vancouver native to return west and play for the hometown B.C. Lions. But each time, Chiu received a friendly reminder the grass isn't always greener on the other side. 'All of the credit goes to my mom, it's that Asian culture in us,' Chiu, now 50, said. 'As I had success and every time free agency came, she'd always remind me — loyalty. 'They're the team that drafted you, every other team passed on you. There was always temptation to come back home and play in B.C. but at the end of the day, Montreal gave me that opportunity and it became my second home. That's where I was able to become a man because I went there as a kid.' Montreal drafted the six-foot-two, 290-pound Chiu in the second round, 18th overall, in 1996. After joining the Alouettes the following year, Chiu quickly blossomed into one of the CFL's top centres and an integral member of the Alouettes' offensive front. That unit helped Montreal dominate the East Division. The Alouettes finished atop the East eight times, reached the Grey Cup on seven occasions and won twice (2002, '09). Montreal's offence also included top lineman winners Uzooma Okeke (1999) and Canadian Hall of Famers Pierre Vercheval (2000) and Scott Flory (2008-'09). Leading the offence were quarterback Anthony Calvillo (three times CFL's outstanding player) and receiver Ben Cahoon (twice league's top Canadian). 'Continuity,' Chiu said explaining Montreal's dominance. 'We all understood our job and we held each other accountable. 'But more than that you didn't really have to communicate very much … there was a high expectation to succeed.' Chiu's individual success, though, didn't come naturally. 'I was never the biggest, I wasn't the fastest, I wasn't the strongest,' he said. 'What I knew was in order to have a long career in this league I had to be smarter, I had to study harder. 'I had to understand every defence, every tendency. That just gave me that little edge to be able to play at the level of some of these other guys who were so gifted athletically.' But Chiu said some of his most cherished memories of his time in Montreal came off the field. 'Our group was together for so long … we grew a tight bond,' Chiu said. 'Some of those memories were of going to offensive-line meals, playing cards on the train or hanging out in a hotel room. 'Those are the things I remember more than any Grey Cups or any wins. Those were the relationships that really made me feel like I was part of a family and those guys are the reason why I'm sitting here today.' Chiu's CFL career ended dramatically in the '09 Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium versus the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Trailing by 16 points in the fourth quarter, Montreal pulled to within 27-25 when Damon Duval came on to attempt a 43-yard field goal late in the game. When Duval missed, the Riders conceded the point for the apparent 27-26 victory but were penalized for having 13 players on the field. That gave Duval a second shot from 33 yards out, which he made on the game's final play to give Montreal the improbable 28-27 win. 'It was as that point I knew it was time (to retire),' Chiu said. 'I wanted to go out on top and that was the one memory I'll never forget, just seeing those flags and getting another shot at it. 'I just knew if we missed that kick, I've got to come back and try to play my 14th year because I just couldn't live with going to seven Grey Cups and only winning one. Having that opportunity … it's rare you get to go out on top.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Upon retirement, Chiu moved into coaching. He became Concordia's assistant offensive co-ordinator/offensive line coach June 22, 2010 before serving as an offensive-line coach with the Toronto Argonauts (2014), Ottawa Redblacks (2015-17) and B.C. Lions (2019). Chiu earned a third Grey Cup ring with Ottawa in 2016. Currently, Chiu is the head coach at Vancouver College, his alma mater. 'It (Hall of Fame induction) is an honour and privilege but at the end of the day, I always tell our program no one person is bigger than this team,' he said. 'We don't play for individual awards. 'If you do everything right and respect the game, good things always come.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Jeremaine Copeland to join former teammate Lewis in Canadian Football Hall of Fame
TORONTO – Jeremaine Copeland and Nik Lewis will soon be together again. Copeland was named Thursday to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025, which also includes offensive linemen Bryan Chiu and Jovan Olafioye, defensive back Scott Flagel and linebacker Darryl Hall, along with former official Glen Johnson and longtime Regina Rams coach Frank McCrystal as builders. All will be enshrined Sept. 19 in Hamilton. Winnipeg Sun columnist Paul Friesen and Judy Owen, of The Canadian Press, will also be added to the Hall's media wing. Copeland and Lewis were teammates in Calgary from 2005 to 2009, helping the Stampeders win the 2008 Grey Cup. But they were also close off the field, often talking about wanting to lead the club to CFL greatness. So it was only fitting that Lewis, a 2021 Hall of Fame inductee, delivered the news to Copeland via video call. 'We got really emotional but it was really worth it,' Copeland said. 'It was a great time and it couldn't have come any better, tell you the truth.' But Lewis's job wasn't easy. These days, Copeland, 48, works in construction and is often difficult to reach. So Lewis contacted Copeland's older brother, who was able to connect with Copeland but remained coy regarding why. 'He's my big brother and so I'm like, are there, you know, physical issues, is his health acting up?' Copeland said. 'He asked me again, 'When can we meet?' and so I was like, 'Let's meet next week and get this thing done.'' When Copeland and his brother finally met at their mother's residence, Lewis and Stampeders president John Hufnagel were also participating in the video call, which Copeland noticed immediately. 'When I saw Nik and Huff, I asked if they (Stampeders) were looking for a new offensive co-ordinator,' Copeland said. 'Once Nik started talking about my career, me being his big brother, how tight we are and what we've been through, well, I knew. 'All of a sudden, we just both broke down crying like little kids, just happy with the situation of both of us being in (Hall of Fame). Nik was a big reason why I decided to come (to Calgary) because I knew I had another Ben Cahoon with me. That made it easier.' Copeland spent his CFL career with Montreal (2001-2004), Calgary (2005-2009) and Toronto (2010-2011) before serving as a receivers coach with Hamilton (2012) and Saskatchewan (2015). He registered 622 catches for 10,037 yards and 75 TDs, becoming just the 15th player in league history to surpass 10,000 career yards. Copeland also spent time with the NFL's Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys, and won a 2001 XFL championship with the Los Angeles Xtreme. Chiu, 50, of Vancouver, spent his entire 13-year career with Montreal (1997-2009). A seven-time CFL all-star, Chiu was named the league's top lineman in 2002. Montreal amassed a stellar 152-81-1 record during Chiu's tenure. The Als never missed the playoffs and won two Grey Cups in 2002 and 2009. Chiu is currently the head football coach at Vancouver College, his alma mater. 'It has been so many years since I retired, and my life and path have taken me to a point where I get to coach high school kids,' Chiu said. 'That's really become my passion. 'So when I got the call, it was quite a surprise, but it was really fitting that it happened at Vancouver College, where I started my football career, and getting to share it with my team, my mom, my sisters, my family, it was heartwarming. I'm rarely speechless but definitely was that day.' Olafioye was a model of consistency with B.C. (2010-2016, 2018) and Montreal (2017), playing a full 18-game schedule in eight seasons. The Detroit native was a six-time league all-star and a three-time nominee as top lineman, winning in 2012. Olafioye, 37, won a Grey Cup in 2011 with B.C. Flagel, 63, of Winnipeg, played 10 CFL seasons with the Bombers (1982-1987), Calgary (1988), Hamilton (1988-1989) and Ottawa (1989-1991). He registered 60 defensive take-aways (40 interceptions, 20 fumble recoveries) to sit 12th all-time and also blocked seven kicks. A three-time CFL all-star, Flagel helped Winnipeg win the 1984 Grey Cup and was the league's top Canadian in 1987. 'I just enjoyed playing the game and never really thought outside of that,' Flagel said. 'I did think I wanted to be in Bombers Hall of Fame, which happened (2008,) and that was where I thought it would end. 'Big surprise … you could say it was the surprise of my life.' Hall, 58, of Oscoda, Mich., revolutionized the linebacker spot during his time with Calgary (1990-1992, 1996-2000), possessing the ability to blitz but also drop back into coverage. In 143 career games, Hall recorded 546 total tackles (36 for loss), 23 sacks and 16 interceptions. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Twice a CFL all-star, Hall appeared in four Grey Cups, winning twice (1992, 1998). He also spent time in the NFL with Seattle (1989), Denver (1993-94) and San Francisco (1995). Johnson, of Winnipeg, spent 24 years as a CFL official, working 416 games and 11 Grey Cups (five as head referee). He became the league's vice-president of officiating in 2013 before being promoted to senior vice-president of football three years later, retiring in 2017. McCrystal led the Rams to seven Canadian junior titles. He remained when the program transitioned to the collegiate ranks with the University of Regina in 1999, retiring after the 2014 season. McCrystal was named top coach in both the CJFL (1993, 1998) and university ranks (2007). He's also a member of the Regina Sports Hall of Fame. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2025.
Toronto Star
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Montreal Alouettes aiming to continue their winning ways versus Ottawa Redblacks
There has been no place quite like TD Place for the Montreal Alouettes. Montreal (1-0) visits the Ottawa Redblacks (0-1) on Friday night. The Alouettes have not only won their last eight head-to-head meetings with their East Division rival but are riding a 10-game win streak at TD Place. And there's the matter of Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander sporting a 5-0 record as a CFL starter. Bo Levi Mitchell, currently of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, was the last quarterback to start 5-0 when he was with the Calgary Stampeders. Alexander, in his first full season as Montreal's starter, was 19-of-26 passing for 205 yards with a touchdown and interception in last week's season-opening 28-10 home win over Toronto. He also ran four times for 50 yards. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Montreal converted on 14-of-24 second-down opportunities while rushing for 163 yards on 26 carries (6.3-yard average). That's noteworthy as last week all four opening-week winners were not only at home but also rushed for more yards than their opponents. A stout Montreal defence did its part, holding Toronto to 276 net offensive yards while forcing three turnovers (two interceptions, fumble recovery) in the contest. Ottawa opened its season with a 31-26 road loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown threw for 413 yards and two touchdowns, becoming just the fourth player ever to have 400 or more yards passing in three straight regular-season games, dating back to 2024. Brown is the first to do so since Calgary's Doug Flutie in '93 but has been limited in practice this week with a hip ailment. Justin Hardy (eight catches, 133 yards, TD) and Bralon Addison (eight catches, 112 yards) were Brown's favourite targets. Veteran Eugene Lewis had five receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown in his first game with the Redblacks. Lewis has recorded TD grabs in nine straight games dating back to last season with Edmonton. If he can do so versus Montreal, Lewis would tie Terry Evanshen's CFL record of 10 consecutive contests with a touchdown reception. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Ottawa was a CFL-best 7-1-1 last season at TD Place. Pick: Montreal. —- B.C. Lions versus Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Thursday night) At Winnipeg, the Bombers open their season minus starter Zach Collaros, who will serve the one-game suspension he received last month from the CFL for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. Veteran QB Chris Streveler starts but guard Pat Neufeld remains a game-time decision. Nathan Rourke was the league's offensive player of the week after passing for 324 yards and three TDs in leading B.C. (1-0) past Edmonton 31-14 but he's 0-3 lifetime versus the Bombers with three TDs and five interceptions. Lions head coach Buck Pierce returns to Manitoba, where he spent 10 seasons as an assistant and won two Grey Cups before being hired by B.C. Pick: B.C. —- Calgary Stampeders versus Toronto Argonauts (Saturday afternoon) At Toronto, the Argos (0-1) are 27-7 at BMO Field under head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, including 16-2 the past two seasons. But Calgary (1-0) is the only team Dinwiddie has a losing record against (3-4) and Stamps head coach/GM Dave Dickenson is 12-3 all-time versus the defending champions. Nick Arbuckle is expected to make a second straight start for Toronto ahead of Chad Kelly (leg). Stamps' starter Vernon Adams Jr. is 2-5 versus the Argos but has 14 TD passes in those matchups. He threw for 284 yards in last week's 38-26 home win over Hamilton with two interceptions. Pick: Toronto. —- Saskatchewan Roughriders versus Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Saturday night) At Hamilton, Mitchell again chases his 100th career regular-season win. He was 31-of-50 passing for 304 yards and a TD last week in Calgary. Over his last six starts, Mitchell is averaging 346 yards passing and is 12-6 versus the Riders. But last week the Ticats defence had no answer for the Stampeders' ground game (158 yards on 31 carries, three Dedrick Mills' TDs). Trevor Harris threw for 277 yards and two TDs in leading Saskatchewan (1-0) past Ottawa last week and is 9-5 versus Hamilton. This week, the club signed veteran running back Ka'Deem Carey, who ran for 1,060 yards last season with Toronto before surprisingly being released after training camp. Pick: Saskatchewan. NOTE — Last week's B.C.-Edmonton game marked just the 12th time in 5,395 CFL games that both teams started Canadian quarterbacks (Rourke for the Lions, Tre Ford for Elks). Last week: 3-1. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025.
