It’s only Week 4, but the Ottawa Redblacks and Edmonton Elks already have their backs against the wall.
After awful seasons last year, nothing much has changed to start 2023 for both teams — which gives you an idea why it appears the Redblacks and Elks are poised to go with first-time starting quarterbacks for their head-to-head matchup on Friday in the nation’s capital.
The Redblacks are set to start Tyrie Adams after Nick Arbuckle was injured and ineffective in the first two games. Expected No. 1 quarterback Jeremiah Masoli still isn’t ready after suffering a season-ending leg injury last season.
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The Elks, meanwhile, have been giving rookie Jarret Doege first-team reps at practice after Taylor Cornelius, signed to be Edmonton’s No. 1 man this off-season, was pulled on Sunday in a loss to the Toronto Argonauts.
Adams, a former standout at Western Carolina University, saw limited duty last year. He replaced Arbuckle in the team’s previous game — a Week 2 loss to the Calgary Stampeders.
Per Postmedia’s Tim Baines, the fleet-footed Adams earned the nickname Houdini while playing for the Indoor Football League’s Salina Liberty before signing with the Redblacks last season.
“I have full faith in Tyrie, he’s been here for a couple of years,” first-year Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce said. “He’s getting more and more comfortable every time he gets behind centre.”
Doege is a CFL rookie after being a part of four (not a misprint) college programs — Bowling Green, West Virginia, Western Kentucky and Troy.
The native of Lubbock, Texas was 9-for-11 for 163 yards with two touchdowns and an interception (returned for a TD) against Toronto.
“He can get them in and out of the huddle, he does a real nice job managing the game, and he’s got a lot of starter quality moxie to him,” Elks second-year head coach Chris Jones told reporters, per 3 Down Nation.
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Both teams have had soft crowds for home games — putting even more pressure on the Elks and Redblacks heading into Week 4.
Jones, especially, has to be feeling the heat. He inherited a bad team, and 2022 always was expected to be rough. But the team is supposed to be more competitive this year.
To make matters worse, the team has lost a CFL record 19 home games in a row and comes into Ottawa on a short week. The Elks also will be missing star wide receiver Eugene Lewis (knee).
The Redblacks, like the Elks, have been a disaster at home, losing 22 of their past 24 at TD Place.
The good news for the Redblacks is that Masoli’s return figures to come soon. He has a good track record, but how he’ll perform after a long rehab remains a huge question.
What we liked in Week 3
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• Aggressive defensive play by the Toronto Argos (six sacks in a win over the Elks) and the B.C. Lions (seven sacks in a win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
• Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Jamal Morrow’s 133-yard performance against Calgary. After suffering a broken hand last season, Morrow has returned to top form.
• Another nice game from Montreal Alouettes rookie receiver Austin Mack (five catches for 81 yards) in a win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Coming through in a big way with some key Als receivers hurt.
What we didn’t like in Week 3
• The Ticats’ performance in their home opener — a 38-12 loss to Montreal. They received deserved boos. Not a good sign for a team hosting the Grey Cup.
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• Ticats linebacker Chris Edwards shoving Mack to the ground after appearing to offer him a handshake after the final whistle. No place for that in any league.
• For the first time in years in this category, the play of the Blue Bombers’ offence. They get a mulligan considering their track record.
Power rankings (season record and last week’s ranking in brackets)
1. B.C. Lions (3-0, 3): Defence has given up just 21 points all year and Adams Jr. is playing winning football.
2. Toronto Argonauts (2-0, 2): QB Chad Kelly made some mistakes against Edmonton. He’ll need to be better vs. B.C.
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-1, 1): Humbling loss at home to Lions shakes up top of league.
4. Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-1, 5): Trevor Harris leads the league in passing yards after statement OT win in Calgary.
5. Montreal Alouettes (2-0, 6): While their wins are against winless Ottawa and Hamilton, the Als definitely are exceeding expectations.
6. Calgary Stampeders (1-2, 4): Key receiver Malik Henry likely is done for the season after suffering an Achilles injury.
7. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-3, 7): Being on a bye week is about the only good news for a beat-up team that hasn’t been competitive.
8. Ottawa Redblacks (0-2, 8): Have lost star returner DeMonte Dedmon for the season with a shoulder injury.
9. Edmonton Elks (0-3, 9): At least Edmonton’s Week 4 game is not in Edmonton.
Week 4 picks
Edmonton Elks at Ottawa Redblacks (-3.5), Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT: Both teams have been brutal at home, so we’ll go with the visitors. PICK: Edmonton
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (-5.5) at Montreal Alouettes, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: The line indicates that the Alouettes need a good performance here to earn more respect. PICK: Winnipeg
B.C. Lions at Toronto Argonauts (-2.5), Monday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: Battle to decide the final unbeaten team of the season. PICK: B.C.
2023 picks record: 6-6
Lines from FanDuel as of Wednesday.
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