Ryan Dinwiddie, head coach and general manager of the Ottawa Redblacks, is in line for an icy cold Gatorade shower. If it happens on Saturday, it won’t be any more enjoyable or bearable because of the opponent.
First Meeting Since Departure
After a five-season run that saw him win two Grey Cups as head coach of the Toronto Argonauts, Dinwiddie will face his former team for the first time as the shot-caller of the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday afternoon at TD Place. The 45-year-old former quarterback insists the only special significance the game has to him is the chance to help the Redblacks to their first victory of the season.
Focus on Improvement
“None at all,” Dinwiddie said when asked about any additional importance to the matchup because of the team on the other sideline. “We’re obviously playing Toronto, but my mindset is we’re playing another opponent, we’re 0-1 right now. That’s what my focus is … cleaning up the stuff in this building and making sure we have a good plan to go win a football game.” He added, “It’s an important game. Obviously, you can’t put too much onus on it, as far as playing tight and treating it like a Grey Cup, but this is a damn important game for us. It’s not about who we’re playing, it’s about us. So, we’ve got to find ways to get better.”
Argonauts Also Seeking First Win
The Argos will feel a similar sense of urgency after dropping their season opener 37-30 in Montreal last Friday. Quarterback Chad Kelly returned to the lineup and brought more than a few shades of his former self, completing 28-of-46 passes for 445 yards and three touchdowns. However, the Double Blue defence allowed a similar performance by Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander, who was good on 30-of-42 passes for 441 yards and a pair of majors.
“They’ve got an explosive offense,” Dinwiddie said. “In their receiver corps, they’ve got everybody back from last year. They improved the offensive line and Chad’s looking really good. It looks like he’s back to his all-star type of mode. He can do it with his legs, and his arm talent is second to none. So we’ve got our hands full. We’ve got to make sure we disguise our coverages, try to confuse the quarterback a bit, and we’ve got to keep them second and long.”
Dinwiddie’s Move to Ottawa
Dinwiddie left Toronto only for a change of scenery, a minimal raise, and, in also assuming the GM title to go along with his head coach and offensive coordinator responsibilities, more say in his team’s direction. “Obviously, I spent some time there and have some bonds with a lot of people in that building, had great times in that building,” Dinwiddie said. “But at the same time, you put your focus on something like that, and you make it a personal thing … it’s not about that. I’m an Ottawa Redblack now, and that’s where my focus is.”
