Redblacks Coach Dinwiddie Focused on Beating Former Team Argonauts

Ottawa Redblacks head coach Ryan Dinwiddie is emphasizing his team's focus on securing a victory against the Toronto Argonauts, brushing aside the narrative of facing his former club. Dinwiddie departed Toronto after a successful tenure, which included two Grey Cup championships, to take on the head coach and general manager roles with the Redblacks.

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I'm getting this question all of the time and it's not that big of a deal for me. I understand it's my ex-team and I know a lot of people on that side of the building, but I'm a Redblack. That's where I'm at, that's where my feet are.

"I'm getting this question all of the time and it's not that big of a deal for me," Dinwiddie stated. "I understand it's my ex-team and I know a lot of people on that side of the building, but I'm a Redblack. That's where I'm at, that's where my feet are."

The Redblacks opened their season with a 29-21 loss to the Edmonton Elks. Dinwiddie's primary objective is to ensure his team improves its performance and achieves a 1-1 record. He acknowledged that the team's season opener was played under challenging weather conditions, but stressed the need to execute their game plan more effectively this week.

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It's a darn important football game. That's been the mentality all week.

Starting quarterback Jake Maier echoed this sentiment, noting too many "two-and-outs" in the previous game. Penalties and turnovers were also significant issues, with the team incurring 10 penalties for 110 yards and losing the ball twice. Wide receiver Eugene Lewis highlighted the critical need for discipline, stating, "If you have turnovers and you have penalties you will lose the game."

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We had a few too many two-and-outs for my liking, for sure. Certain element things we didn't do as good of a job as we should have.

The Toronto Argonauts also enter the matchup seeking their first win after a 37-30 loss to the Montreal Alouettes. Quarterback Chad Kelly, returning from a suspension, threw for 445 yards and three touchdowns in that game. Dinwiddie recognizes the threat Kelly poses, particularly his ability to extend plays with his legs, and emphasized the importance of disrupting him and maintaining strong communication in the defensive backfield.

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If you have turnovers and you have penalties you will lose the game. In professional sports if you turn the ball over and you have penalties, bad things usually happen.