Harris gets the start as Redblacks look to right the ship against Lions

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks want to right the ship and regain some pride, even if they have to sit last season’s most outstanding player to do it.

First-year Redblack Trevor Harris will start in place of star veteran Henry Burris when Ottawa host the B.C. Lions Thursday night.

After starting the season with two wins, the Redblacks have won just two of the next six games and suffered a 43-19 blowout loss to the Montreal Alouettes on Friday.

Compounding the Redblacks’ woes is the team’s mediocre 1-2-1 record at home.

“We have one win at home and obviously could have beaten Calgary here but it ended up in a tie. We got our butts kicked last week which never makes you feel good,” Redblacks coach Rick Campbell said.

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“We need to make sure we play good football and keep things positive and good things will happen for us.”

The Redblacks signed Harris in the off-season as insurance for the 41-year-old Burris, and he has paid off when healthy.

When Burris injured his finger in Ottawa’s opener in Edmonton, Harris came in midway through the third quarter of that game and threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns in an overtime win.

Harris threw three more touchdowns in a win over Montreal the following week and three more the next week in the tie with Calgary.

Another win in Toronto on July 13th was followed with the Redblacks first loss of the season in Regina, and the loss of Harris with a knee and ankle injury.

“It’s brutal. You’re in such a rhythm, the team’s playing well and then boom, one hit one twist of the knee and you’re out,” Harris said.

Burris returned on just three days’ practice and was rusty in a loss to Toronto, but was better the following week in a win over the Eskimos, the Redblacks’ lone home win of the season.

After a bye week the Redblacks got mauled by the Alouettes and are looking to avoid the same fate against the Lions.

“You always want to get out there and make amends for what happened. I missed some throws, and when you come off a dismal team performance like that, and knowing that you can play better individually, you want to bounce back and help the team,” Burris said.

The switch at quarterback isn’t being seen as a knock against Burris, who said that the injury to the pinky finger on his throwing hand isn’t fully healed. He said throwing isn’t as comfortable as it should be and that the ball doesn’t come out of his hand right.

“This is an opportunity to get my finger even that much healthier so when I am needed at any given moment I’ll be able to go out there and feel comfortable and confident in throwing the ball,” he said.

In the meantime Burris will be another set of eyes for Harris and the offence as he patrols the sidelines.

“I’ll be able to look at some tendencies as far as what B.C. is doing and maybe pick up on some mismatches and to give good advice on situations to Trevor. I’ll just be using my knowledge to help Trevor and the offence and that will help me stay into the game.”

Harris said his goal is to get back to the same level of success he was enjoying before going down with an injury. The next snap he takes will be his first in 34 days.

“It’s not about me it’s about getting our team back in the winning column. If we beat ourselves that’s the big problem so we have to go out and put our best foot forward,” said Harris, adding it’s a huge advantage to have Burris on his side.

“He’s an icon in this league and so recognizable, it’s awesome that he’s behind me and he’s helping me and it’s awesome that the coach has faith in me. I’m just looking to go out there and execute for our guys.”

The Redblacks will also welcome back running back Travon Van who has been sidelined with a knee injury since the second game of the season.

Darren Desaulniers, The Canadian Press