Latest news with #Redblacks
Vancouver Sun
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Redblacks' Daniel Adeboboye hopes to "make Canada proud" when facing former team
Missing their No. 1 passer for the third straight week, the Ottawa Redblacks could once again lean on their running attack Sunday against the Toronto Argos. And with veteran William Stanback's snap count limited by the Canadian Football League's ratio rule, that sets up the potential for a multifaceted storyline centred around Daniel Adeboboye. The 26-year-old from Mississauga will be facing his hometown and former team for the first time in the Redblacks' annual 'Canada Day' game at TD Place. Adeboboye is not only the first Canadian starting tailback for the Redblacks since Kienan LaFrance helped them to the 2016 Grey Cup, but he's on a short list of ball carriers born north of the border to suit up for any Ottawa CFL team — a group that includes former Rough Riders Orville Lee, Darren Joseph and the legendary Ronnie Stewart. 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. Adeboboye made a loud statement last week in Calgary when he was the Redblacks' leading rusher, authored the day's biggest offensive play, and scored the game's only touchdown in Ottawa's first win of the season. He would like nothing better than to help set off fireworks for a 158th birthday party in the nation's capital with contributions to another victory. 'This country is what I call home,' said Adeboboye. 'I grew up in Canada, and I love Canada. I'm Canadian through and through. Getting the opportunity to play on a day that celebrates our country is a blessing. 'I love the opportunity to celebrate Canada Day playing the game I love. So I'm going to give my best and hopefully make Canada proud on that day.' Adeboboye did a good job of that last Saturday with 10 carries for 96 yards, just six shy of matching the production the Argos have received from their top rusher — former Ohio State Buckeyes star Miyan Williams — on 19 carries over three games. It hasn't taken long for the 5-foot-8, 218-pound product of the comparatively tiny Bryant University in Rhode Island to prove that Redblacks GM Shawn Burke pulled off a coup when he obtained Adeboboye from Toronto for a conditional fifth-round pick and the negotiation rights to American defensive lineman Andre Carter. 'Even from the time he was in college, I remember watching his draft film and thinking he was a heck of a back,' said Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce, who confirmed that Dustin Crum will make his second consecutive start at quarterback in place of injured starter Dru Brown (hip), and that standout cornerback Adrian Frye (knee) is likely to be replaced by Alijah McGhee for the Argos game. 'He got into this league and excelled on special teams, and now you look at him having an opportunity to almost share the backfield with William, and he's just gotten better and better the more comfortable he gets in the offence, through the protections and how much (offensive coordinator Tommy Condell) moves the backs around. He's really immersed himself in it. 'I was watching practice (Thursday) and after just a simple play inside zone, I went to (running backs) Coach (Nate) Taylor, and I said: 'Man, Daniel is really a great back'. He's seeing everything that he needs to see, and it's a joy to watch.' Drafted 15th overall by the Argos in 2022, Adeboboye is a religious man who rarely misses an opportunity to thank God for his blessings. Among them, he says, are the opportunities he had to work in Toronto with former all-stars A.J. Ouellette, Ka'Deem Carey and Andrew Harris, the most productive Canadian running back to play in the CFL, and now in Ottawa with Stanback, who surpassed the 5,000 yards rushing mark last week. 'Through my faith, I've been able to have patience, and patience is something that I've needed through my entire career, because of the great running backs ahead of me,' said the perpetually smiling Adeboboye. 'Playing with all those stars, there's only so many times you can touch the ball in a game, right? But I kept my patience, and I kept on working hard every day, understanding that someday my time would come. And if it doesn't, then so be it, I have no regrets. 'But at the end of the day, I thought, if I get the opportunity, or when I get the opportunity, I'm just going to take advantage of it and bring glory to God in all that I do.' Those chances, to this point, have been limited. As a rookie, Adeboboye had 15 carries for 72 yards, while making 17 special teams tackles to earn the Argos' nomination for the CFL's most outstanding special teams player. In 2023, he ran the ball 41 times for 287 yards, including his first triple-figures game with nine carries for 109 yards on Oct. 21 against Saskatchewan. Last season, he shared the Argos backfield with Carey and Deonta McMahon and had 63 carries for 244 yards. Over the three years, Adeboboye has continued making major special teams contributions while proving to be durable by only missing two games. When informed he was traded, Adeboboye took the news in stride. 'It's business,' he shrugged. 'I got drafted by the Argos, and it was a great opportunity to go back home after a couple of years away at school. When I heard that I got traded to Ottawa, I had reassurance that I was going to a good organization. Playing against them for the last couple of years,I saw the kind of team that they were building. If I got traded to a team that wasn't so good, then I'd be a little shaky. But I knew that I was being put in good hands, and it was great that I also got to stay in Ontario, not too far from home, where my parents (Marian and Tai) and family can still come in and see me play. And Ottawa is a great city. I love Ottawa. It's nice, it's quiet, it's chill, it's relaxing. And the fans give such great energy.' And now he has fewer ticket requests. 'It was easy for my parents to get people to come to games (in Toronto),' Adeboboye said with a chuckle. 'My church is there as well, so we'd have 30, 40, 50 people coming, but they don't want to travel as much nowadays, so it's a little smaller group.' Adeboboye didn't know he was approaching the 100-yard mark against the Stamps when he was on the wet and frigid field and sidelines. 'It was too cold to be thinking about stats,' he said, laughing. 'I was thinking about how to stay warm and the hot shower at the end of the day. When I saw that I was four yards short, one more carry would have been nice. But I'm grateful for 96. It's a testament to our offensive line. Stanback had a great game and (as a team) we rushed for more than 200 yards. Our offensive line has been showing out. In the two previous games, we just didn't get the opportunity to run the ball as much, but it shows that when we want to run the football, we can run the football. 'And I love to run the football, so let's run the football.'
Ottawa Citizen
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Redblacks' Daniel Adeboboye hopes to "make Canada proud" when facing former team
Article content Missing their No. 1 passer for the third straight week, the Ottawa Redblacks could once again lean on their running attack Sunday against the Toronto Argos. Article content And with veteran William Stanback's snap count limited by the Canadian Football League's ratio rule, that sets up the potential for a multifaceted storyline centred around Daniel Adeboboye. Article content Article content The 26-year-old from Mississauga will be facing his hometown and former team for the first time in the Redblacks' annual 'Canada Day' game at TD Place. Article content Article content Adeboboye is not only the first Canadian starting tailback for the Redblacks since Kienan LaFrance helped them to the 2016 Grey Cup, but he's on a short list of ball carriers born north of the border to suit up for any Ottawa CFL team — a group that includes former Rough Riders Orville Lee, Darren Joseph and the legendary Ronnie Stewart. Article content Article content Adeboboye made a loud statement last week in Calgary when he was the Redblacks' leading rusher, authored the day's biggest offensive play, and scored the game's only touchdown in Ottawa's first win of the season. Article content He would like nothing better than to help set off fireworks for a 158th birthday party in the nation's capital with contributions to another victory. Article content 'This country is what I call home,' said Adeboboye. 'I grew up in Canada, and I love Canada. I'm Canadian through and through. Getting the opportunity to play on a day that celebrates our country is a blessing. Article content Article content 'I love the opportunity to celebrate Canada Day playing the game I love. So I'm going to give my best and hopefully make Canada proud on that day.' Article content Adeboboye did a good job of that last Saturday with 10 carries for 96 yards, just six shy of matching the production the Argos have received from their top rusher — former Ohio State Buckeyes star Miyan Williams — on 19 carries over three games. Article content It hasn't taken long for the 5-foot-8, 218-pound product of the comparatively tiny Bryant University in Rhode Island to prove that Redblacks GM Shawn Burke pulled off a coup when he obtained Adeboboye from Toronto for a conditional fifth-round pick and the negotiation rights to American defensive lineman Andre Carter. Article content 'Even from the time he was in college, I remember watching his draft film and thinking he was a heck of a back,' said Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce, who confirmed that Dustin Crum will make his second consecutive start at quarterback in place of injured starter Dru Brown (hip), and that standout cornerback Adrian Frye (knee) is likely to be replaced by Alijah McGhee for the Argos game. 'He got into this league and excelled on special teams, and now you look at him having an opportunity to almost share the backfield with William, and he's just gotten better and better the more comfortable he gets in the offence, through the protections and how much (offensive coordinator Tommy Condell) moves the backs around. He's really immersed himself in it.
Calgary Herald
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Redblacks' Daniel Adeboboye hopes to "make Canada proud" when facing former team
Article content Missing their No. 1 passer for the third straight week, the Ottawa Redblacks could once again lean on their running attack Sunday against the Toronto Argos. Article content And with veteran William Stanback's snap count limited by the Canadian Football League's ratio rule, that sets up the potential for a multifaceted storyline centred around Daniel Adeboboye. Article content Article content The 26-year-old from Mississauga will be facing his hometown and former team for the first time in the Redblacks' annual 'Canada Day' game at TD Place. Article content Article content Adeboboye is not only the first Canadian starting tailback for the Redblacks since Kienan LaFrance helped them to the 2016 Grey Cup, but he's on a short list of ball carriers born north of the border to suit up for any Ottawa CFL team — a group that includes former Rough Riders Orville Lee, Darren Joseph and the legendary Ronnie Stewart. Article content Article content Adeboboye made a loud statement last week in Calgary when he was the Redblacks' leading rusher, authored the day's biggest offensive play, and scored the game's only touchdown in Ottawa's first win of the season. Article content He would like nothing better than to help set off fireworks for a 158th birthday party in the nation's capital with contributions to another victory. Article content 'This country is what I call home,' said Adeboboye. 'I grew up in Canada, and I love Canada. I'm Canadian through and through. Getting the opportunity to play on a day that celebrates our country is a blessing. Article content 'I love the opportunity to celebrate Canada Day playing the game I love. So I'm going to give my best and hopefully make Canada proud on that day.' Article content Adeboboye did a good job of that last Saturday with 10 carries for 96 yards, just six shy of matching the production the Argos have received from their top rusher — former Ohio State Buckeyes star Miyan Williams — on 19 carries over three games. Article content It hasn't taken long for the 5-foot-8, 218-pound product of the comparatively tiny Bryant University in Rhode Island to prove that Redblacks GM Shawn Burke pulled off a coup when he obtained Adeboboye from Toronto for a conditional fifth-round pick and the negotiation rights to American defensive lineman Andre Carter. Article content 'Even from the time he was in college, I remember watching his draft film and thinking he was a heck of a back,' said Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce, who confirmed that Dustin Crum will make his second consecutive start at quarterback in place of injured starter Dru Brown (hip), and that standout cornerback Adrian Frye (knee) is likely to be replaced by Alijah McGhee for the Argos game. 'He got into this league and excelled on special teams, and now you look at him having an opportunity to almost share the backfield with William, and he's just gotten better and better the more comfortable he gets in the offence, through the protections and how much (offensive coordinator Tommy Condell) moves the backs around. He's really immersed himself in it.
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Redblacks might add top defender Frye to lengthy IR list
Article content Two silver linings surround the dark cloud that could take one more important player out of the Ottawa Redblacks lineup this week. Article content First off, at least it's not another Canadian. Article content Article content Secondly, there's another solid replacement ready to step in for him. Article content The next man down could be cornerback Adrian Frye, who has been a limited participant in practice the last two days because of a knee injury. Article content Article content If the CFL had a Defensive Player of the First Three Games award, Frye would likely be the East Division nominee up against Saskatchewan's Jameer Thurman. Article content Article content Along with having three times the number of forced fumbles as anyone else in the league, he has a recovery of his own and 13 defensive tackles, tied for second-most on the Redblacks. Article content Should the 26-year-old former Texas Tech Red Raider be unable to suit up for Sunday night's home tilt against the Toronto Argonauts, he will be replaced at the strong-side corner spot by Alijah McGhee, who would come off IR to make his 2025 debut. One of the best training camp battles in Kingston featured Frye and McGhee, who held down the starting strong-side corner job through most of last season. Article content 'Adrian's a tough guy, and he wants to get out there, so he pushed it a little more today than he did yesterday,' head coach Bob Dyce said Thursday after his team's practice. 'So we'll see what happens after day three.' Article content Article content Last Saturday in Calgary, the Redblacks' injury lists carried 14 players, including 11 on the one-game. Particularly taxing is that they were missing 10 Canadians. Article content Expect that Ottawa will have to deal with a similar scenario when hosting the 0-3 defending Grey Cup champs — and for Dustin Crum to make his second consecutive start at quarterback. Article content Dru Brown wore pads and threw passes on the sidelines at Thursday's practice, but Crum was once again taking first-team reps. Article content Dyce could offer no timetable for Brown to return from a hip injury he suffered late in the season opener.
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Redblacks might add top defender Frye to lengthy IR list
Two silver linings surround the dark cloud that could take one more important player out of the Ottawa Redblacks lineup this week. First off, at least it's not another Canadian. Secondly, there's another solid replacement ready to step in for him. The next man down could be cornerback Adrian Frye, who has been a limited participant in practice the last two days because of a knee injury. If the CFL had a Defensive Player of the First Three Games award, Frye would likely be the East Division nominee up against Saskatchewan's Jameer Thurman. 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. Along with having three times the number of forced fumbles as anyone else in the league, he has a recovery of his own and 13 defensive tackles, tied for second-most on the Redblacks. Should the 26-year-old former Texas Tech Red Raider be unable to suit up for Sunday night's home tilt against the Toronto Argonauts, he will be replaced at the strong-side corner spot by Alijah McGhee, who would come off IR to make his 2025 debut. One of the best training camp battles in Kingston featured Frye and McGhee, who held down the starting strong-side corner job through most of last season. 'Adrian's a tough guy, and he wants to get out there, so he pushed it a little more today than he did yesterday,' head coach Bob Dyce said Thursday after his team's practice. 'So we'll see what happens after day three.' Last Saturday in Calgary, the Redblacks' injury lists carried 14 players, including 11 on the one-game. Particularly taxing is that they were missing 10 Canadians. Expect that Ottawa will have to deal with a similar scenario when hosting the 0-3 defending Grey Cup champs — and for Dustin Crum to make his second consecutive start at quarterback. Dru Brown wore pads and threw passes on the sidelines at Thursday's practice, but Crum was once again taking first-team reps. Dyce could offer no timetable for Brown to return from a hip injury he suffered late in the season opener. 'We just take it day by day,' said Dyce. 'And go from there.' Has the importance of having a quality backup QB ever been more evident than this season? By the end of Week 4, it looks like as many as six of the nine teams will have had to turn to their backups. Like the Canadian fill-ins on the Redblacks roster, Crum stepped up in a big way against the Stamps. While the cold, rain, and high winds in Calgary were playing havoc with thrown balls, he would have completed 16 of 22 passes had seven not been dropped by receivers. More importantly, Crum didn't commit a single turnover and showed more patience than he has in the past by looking for his second and third receiving options before taking off with the ball. 'We always ask more from everybody,' said Dyce. 'But we were very happy with what Dustin did. I thought he had great command of the offence.' Crum says he hasn't had a peek ahead to Sunday's forecast, but knows that whatever it brings will be refreshing compared to the 'ridiculous' conditions at McMahon Stadium last week, which he maintains were 'probably the roughest I've ever played in for throwing.' In making his 15th CFL start, but first in more than 600 days dating back to 2023, when he was thrown to the wolves as a starter after entering camp fourth on the depth chart, Crum discovered a comfortable level and the 'game slowed down a little bit' for him. 'You hear a lot of guys talk about quarterbacks just having a grasp of everything going on …. it felt good to be out there with the guys and get to do that and feel the game speed,' he said. 'Slowing things down and being able to see each thing for what it is, knowing where people are and when they're going to be there, that's what helps. Sometimes you cannot see when a quarterback gets a little frantic, or when the pace of the plays gets them a little bit. So to be able to almost orchestrate or know what's going on to a degree, I would say I felt probably the best I've felt up here in the league so far. 'Obviously, whenever you establish a run game the way we did, it's huge for a quarterback and helps him get into the game as well,' he added. 'So it was really in a lot of different factors to it, but it definitely felt good, and it was something to build off.' Crum did a lot of action in last season's 22-22 tie at TD Place with the Roughriders, when he entered the game after Brown was injured and completed 21 of 32 passes for 211 yards, but this will be his first home start since Oct. 28, 2023, when the Redblacks closed out their season with a 27-22 loss to the Argonauts. Crum's favourite target that day was Justin Hardy, who pulled in six catches for 119 yards, but last season's nominee for the most outstanding player on the Redblacks has been a non-factor in the last two weeks. Hardy's string of consecutive 100-yard games carried over from 2024 and extended to five in the season opener, but against Montreal in Week 2, he had just two catches for 20 yards, and in Calgary had just one grab for five yards. While it looks like he misses the chemistry he has with Brown, it's not a thought Hardy has entertained. 'I feel like I just need to be the security blanket that all quarterbacks want,' said the 33-year-old former Atlanta Falcon. 'Just make sure that they feel comfortable whenever they are in the game, whoever it is. Just make sure they've got somebody they can trust and know, okay, I can count on this guy. I just like to make sure I'm doing that no matter who's in.' Meanwhile, Hardy is full of praise for Crum and his development with the Redbacks over three years — the same amount of time it has taken many QBs to hit their stride in the Canadian game. 'Coming in as a rookie, he was just getting to know the rules and trying to learn how to play quarterback in the CFL, which is a little bit different down south,' said Hardy. 'So just seeing the growth now from then until now has just been tremendous. 'He's been a great player, student of the game, throws a great ball, understands the offence, understands what he's looking at. So I'm happy for him.'
