A game-changing roster move as the Ottawa RedBlacks sign a three-year contract with a two-time all-star quarterback.
This season, the Ottawa Redblacks will rely heavily on Dru Brown to offer much-needed quarterback steadiness.
Following a rocky four-year period of numerous changes and inconsistent performances, the Redblacks are counting on Brown’s skill set to revitalise their offensive.
The Redblacks haven’t had a winning season in four years, with only 14 wins, and have failed to find consistency at centre since the departures of Henry Burris and Trevor Harris.
Since Harris’ departure following the 2018 season, the Redblacks have tried unsuccessfully to replace him with Matt Nichols, Nick Arbuckle, and Jeremiah Masoli.
Masoli has missed the last two seasons due to injuries and is still recovering from a damaged Achilles. Since signing with Ottawa for the 2022 season, he has appeared in only five games.
The Redblacks traded a fifth-round draft pick to Winnipeg for Brown’s exclusive negotiation rights, resulting in a two-year contract.
“I want to bring joy to this fan base, but it’s not always at the top of my mind,” said the 27-year-old from Palo Alto, California. “I’m more concerned with the day-to-day process and, usually, when you do that everything kind of takes care of itself.”
Brown might be another danger for the Redblacks because of his lack of experience as a consistent starter in the CFL. However, he showed potential with the Blue Bombers last season, completing 62 of 89 passes for 983 yards, nine touchdowns, and no interceptions in two starts.
Brown considers himself a football nerd. He was never the biggest player, had the biggest arm, or was the fastest on the pitch since he began playing at the age of nine, but he found other ways to stand out.
“I really enjoy the process of all the preparations, the mental side of things,” Brown stated. “It just makes the game very slow for me and I think it kind of equalises when guys are freak athletes and this and that.”
He’s also taken advantage of the opportunity to learn from others around him, including Winnipeg’s all-star quarterback Zach Collaros and now Masoli.
The Redblacks’ quarterback situation is quite unusual. Brown is expected to start, but Dustin Crum is also getting reps at training camp.
Masoli and Tyree Adams, who has been with Ottawa for three seasons and is rehabilitating from an injury, are awaiting authorization to return. Meanwhile, Jake Dunniway and Matthew McKay compete for the third-string quarterback spot.
It may appear crowded, but following last year’s experience, Ottawa understands the value of having depth in the centre.
“I believe this year’s (depth) is obviously stronger than the year before,” stated head coach Bob Dyce. “So, when you’re in a position of strength like that we just continue to want them all to compete and be the best versions of themselves.”
Crum began camp as the fourth-string quarterback last season and pushed his way up to starter as injuries mounted. He’s now leveraging that expertise to broaden his skill set and be ready when called upon.
“Obviously, we can only send one guy out there, but it’s exciting just to compete with everyone and learn from everyone,” commented Crum. “I enjoy being able to pick Dru’s brain about what he learned from (Collaros) and the championship culture in Winnipeg, as well as continuing to learn from Jeremiah and Tommy Condell, offensive coordinator.
“It’s been a real exciting last couple of weeks and exponential growth.”
Condell enjoys the idea of competition and believes it will benefit each individual as they prepare.
“We’re not only going to compete on the practice pitch,” Condell stated. “From a preparation standpoint, that will be the demand. We’re competing on the pitch, in the conference room and for knowledge and correct answers.”