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“The great head coaches, the great quarterbacks out there, they were given opportunities. If Drew Bledsoe doesn’t get hurt, do we even know who Tom Brady is? These guys are pros. As long as they play as a team, understand that great plays come out of the execution of regular plays and just do what they do in practice, everything else will take care of itself.”

Caleb Holley, signed as a free agent out of Saskatchewan, has been very good through training camp. Dominique Rhymes, Noel Thomas and Seth Coate were all here last year and have a good handle on the system.

“Even though we have names many people don’t know about, the system and Ottawa Redblacks is not new to them — that’s a big-time plus. Caleb’s done a good job. You look at R.J. Harris, then you look at Caleb, it’s, ‘Whoa, are they the same?’ That gives us options on how to run the offence.”

Asked if Harris can go beyond his 697 yards in catches of a year ago, October said, “I hope so. You’re either getting better or you’re getting worse. First time playing last year. He’s a guy who’s hungry. He has to remember that hunger from last year and keep it going.”

When offensive co-ordinator Jaime Elizondo told the team in early April he was leaving to take a job in the XFL, the Redblacks decided to give the playcalling duties to October.

“Before anyone becomes a play caller, they’ve done it many times in the mirror,” said October. “I can’t tell you how many times in a game over the last few years I’ve been calling plays in my head. When Coach (Rick) Campbell and (GM) Marcel (Desjardins) made that decision, I was excited and honoured that they thought about that. With the help of Coach (Joe) Paopao (running backs coach), Coach Mac (offensive line coach John McDonell) and Beau (Walker, the quarterback coach), we work well together.”