Did the Ottawa Redblacks win help save Marcel Desjardins?

By Olivia Lawrence
RP SHOW INTERN

There has been some rumblings around the CFL about General Manager Marcel Desjardins, predicting his days are numbered in Ottawa as the team sits last in the East Division. Coming into this week, no one thought the Redblacks were going to win 34-24 over the Edmonton Elks on Tuesday (Sept. 28). Some are saying this win has put off Desjardins’ termination, but CFL insider Justin Dunk does not believe the GM is in as much danger as everyone thinks. Instead Dunk believes the team’s wins and losses should have more impact on Redblacks Head Coach Paul LaPolice.  

“I think the win helped Paul LaPolice more than anybody there because Marcel Desjardins was essentially bringing in the players that Paul LaPolice wanted most this season—Matt Nichols [Redblacks quarterback] top among them, and that is why [former Redblacks quarterback] Nick Arbuckle ended up in Toronto.”

LaPolice wanted Nichols over Arbuckle due their long history in the game, but the 34 year old has really struggled this season. Not only was he removed as the starter after four games and replaced by Dominique Davis, he is now suffering a shoulder/neck injury. 

LaPolice has also really vouched for veteran running back Timothy Flanders, but he has looked very fatigued this season. He did earn a touchdown in Tuesday’s game, but there are talented younger players that football operations have encouraged LaPolice to play—yet he still continues to stick with his veteran favourites. Dunk believes LaPolice needs to start utilizing more of his younger players or it will continue to hurt his team. 

Playing rookie quarterback Caleb Evans on Tuesday showed the Redblacks franchise that their young players can thrive. Evans threw three touchdowns to lead the team to victory in his first CFL start, while both veteran quarterbacks (Nichols and Davis) were placed on the six-game injured list. 

“Desjardin is extremely tight with ownership there,” said Dunk. “He’s always kept the team on budget, so I don’t necessarily think Marcel Desjardins is going to have a can tied to him as quickly as people think he will.”

Let’s see if the Ottawa Redblacks can secure another win on Wednesday (Oct. 6) when they play the Argonauts in Toronto.