Ottawa Redblacks getting big results from special teams

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Every time the Ottawa Redblacks play a football game, Marco Dubois says he needs a “street-fight mentality.”

Dubois is one of the Redblacks’ unheralded heroes, a key member of Ottawa’s special teams which ranks first in the CFL in many categories.

What Dubois does is important when the difference between winning and losing can come down to the finest of details.

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You look up Dubois and the stats don’t tell the full story: Six CFL seasons, 18 catches for 239 yards. Nothing this season.

Then, you scroll down and you see 23 special teams tackles. Nice.

He blocks, too. And he’s good at it.

When you talk to Redblacks coaches, you get a clearer picture of his value to the team. You begin to understand how much the team depends on guys like Dubois, Ty Cranston, Tyron Vrede, Anthony Gosselin, Nigel Romick, Gary Johnson, James Peter, Daniel Okpoko, Kene Onyeka and Aidan John — they’re part of the strong cast of flying-under-the-radar difference-makers.

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“There are a lot of guys whose names you don’t read in the paper much,” said head coach Bob Dyce, who joined the Redblacks as their special teams co-ordinator in 2016. “It’s all about team commitment. We have a lot of guys who will sacrifice glory for the benefit of the team.”

Then, there’s Adarius Pickett, a key defensive contributor (with 43 tackles) who also flies around on specials, where he has another 13 tackles.

“If you’re a young guy and you see veteran players going out and doing it every day — these guys have been dominating in special teams for years — you can’t help but give your best effort,” Dyce said. “It’s those types of leaders that allow everybody to perform at a high level. They set the expectation.

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“We had a situation at practice (Tuesday) where protection wasn’t clear and Marco said, ‘We’ll watch film after practice and talk about it.’ It means that much to them. I can’t say enough about those guys, they’re consummate team players.”

“Everybody’s stepping up and doing their work,” said Cory McDiarmid, the Redblacks’ special teams coach. “As far as the buy in, it’s huge. The work ethic is huge.

“It’s always about the end result. When you’re looking at field goal statistics, you want that to be a high number. You look at punt average, your net is important. If you’re holding people to low (kickoff and punt) returns, that’s important. Statistics are a good gauge as to how you’re playing and where you want to be, but it’s the heart and desire — you can’t put statistics on that.”

Talk about impressive, the Redblacks are first in many special teams categories — big play returns (10), opponent big play returns (one), opponent punt return average (8.2 yards), kickoff return average (27.4 yards) and opponent kickoff return average (19.0). Ottawa is second in punt return average (13.1 yards) and third in net punt average (39.3).

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It speaks to the terrific work being done by punter Richie Leone and kicker Lewis Ward (33-of-37 field goals made, some of them, including a walkoff game-winner last week, have come in clutch situations).

There’s also dynamic returner DeVonte Dedmon, who’s among the best in the league.

But, there are also the others, who block and tackle. One of the best is Pickett.

“Special teams is everything,” he said. “It’s all about field position, that’s a key factor in winning or losing football games. (Special teams is) how I got my career started in college, it’s how I was validated.

“It was part of why they brought me here (as a free agent ahead of this season). I told them I expected to (play special teams). I love being on the field.”

Let’s circle back to Dubois, who was selected in the second round of the 2018 CFL Draft.

“I take a lot of pride in it, I’ve been (playing special teams) since my first year of university (at Laval),” he said. “I’ve always embraced the role; it gives me the chance to showcase my athletic abilities and my understanding of the game. I have a role on punt that’s pretty cerebral. I have to call the formations, call the blocks for everyone to make sure we get the punt off.

“I’ve always had a lot of pride in what I do. I’m a competitor, I think I could be a starter on offence on some other teams in the CFL. I’ve had opportunities in the past (to catch passes) and I think I’ve shown good things. But it’s not about me, the most important thing is for us to win.

“(Special teams) is you against another man who may be faster and stronger, but there are techniques you can use (to be effective). The older you get, the more savvy you get, the more tools you have in your toolbox. You try to keep your physical tools — your speed and strength — up in the off-season.”

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