#TBT: Looking back with Lonie

By: Santino Filoso I recently had an opportunity to catch up with Lonie Glieberman, one of the most notorious sports figures in Ottawa’s history. In 1991 Bernie Glieberman (Lonie’s father), bought the Rough Riders for $1 (assuming their $1,000,000 debt) and quickly installed Lonie as team president. Two years and several questionable moves later, the Gliebermans left town to … Continue reading #TBT: Looking back with Lonie

The Maas Effect; Argos Loss = Redblacks Gain

By: Santino Filoso Christmas came early for R-Nation, as yesterday afternoon the Ottawa Redblacks announced the addition of Bryan Chiu to their coaching staff. The 40 year old Chiu becomes the Redblacks first true offensive line coach, as last season former offensive co-ordinator Mike Gibson coached the offensive line in addition to calling plays. Chiu, a 13 … Continue reading The Maas Effect; Argos Loss = Redblacks Gain

#TBT: Catching Up With Korey Banks

By: Santino Filoso For this week’s Throwback Thursday interview, I chatted with former Ottawa Renegade DB Korey Banks. Banks, an eight time CFL All Star, racked up 37 career interceptions, 22 sacks, 14 fumbles, 442 tackles, 7 touchdowns and two Grey Cup rings. RR: As an American coming to Ottawa, what was your first impression of … Continue reading #TBT: Catching Up With Korey Banks

Jason Maas Takes the Offensive Reins

By: Santino Filoso Yesterday afternoon, the Ottawa Redblacks held a press conference to formally introduce Jason Maas as the team's new offensive co-ordinator. Maas' hiring had been rumoured since the weekend but only became official on Wednesday afternoon. Maas, a former QB, played 11 seasons in the CFL with the Eskimos, Ticats and Alouettes. Twice he was … Continue reading Jason Maas Takes the Offensive Reins

A Look Back at the Redblacks Inaugural Season

By: Santino Filoso Before closing the books on the Redblacks 2014 season, it's worth one final look back at how they got to their league worst 2-16 record and why they'll be drafting 1st overall in May. Game #1: 36-28 loss to Winnipeg After exploding for 21 points in the 1st quarter, the Redblacks’ offense bogged … Continue reading A Look Back at the Redblacks Inaugural Season

Positional Review of the 2014 Redblacks

By: Santino Filoso After having a few weeks to digest the Redblacks' inaugural season, we here at Defend the R thought it was fitting to have a conversation and break down the team's performance by position. Quarterback: @RedBlackGade: While Burris certainly didn't get a lot of help from his teammates or offensive co-ordinator, he simply didn't live up … Continue reading Positional Review of the 2014 Redblacks

Mike Gibson Makes History

By: Santino Filoso In a somewhat surprising move yesterday, the Ottawa Redblacks fired offensive co-ordinator Mike Gibson. Don’t get me wrong, the firing itself isn’t unexpected or undeserved, but the timing is, as most teams normally wait until after the Grey Cup to make coaching changes. Perhaps the Redblacks simply wanted a head start in finding … Continue reading Mike Gibson Makes History

Redblacks Recap: Ottawa goes out with a whimper

By: Santino Filoso On Friday night, the Redblacks inaugural season game to an end in the soulless stadium once known as Sky Dome. An Ottawa team playing for nothing but pride took on an Argos squad fighting for their playoff lives in front of the biggest home crowd of the year (roughly 19,000) and two dozen members … Continue reading Redblacks Recap: Ottawa goes out with a whimper

Redblacks Recap: Ottawa Implodes as Ticats Claw Out Win

By: Santino Filoso On a cold, windy, Halloween night, the Ticats rolled into town for the Redblacks final home game of the season. As has come to be expected, R-Nation packed TD Place, selling it out for the 9th straight time and proving once and for all that Ottawa IS a football town. Though the home … Continue reading Redblacks Recap: Ottawa Implodes as Ticats Claw Out Win

Redblacks Recap: Ottawa Wins Even if the Redblacks Lose

By: Santino Filoso On an emotional Friday night, and on the first big gathering since Wednesday’s shooting, Ottawa came together as a community to begin healing through the power of sports. The Redblacks played an inspired game, buoyed by the energy and emotion of an 8th straight sell out crowd at TD Place but unfortunately still … Continue reading Redblacks Recap: Ottawa Wins Even if the Redblacks Lose