Redblacks’ LaPolice staying positive despite winless start to season

Paul LaPolice says he’s trying not to put pressure on himself to get a win.

The Ottawa Redblacks head coach joined TSN 1200 on Monday in the wake of a 25-23 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats that dropped the club to 0-and-5 on the season.

LaPolice is more focused on his players getting a taste of victory as they prepare to host the Montreal Alouettes in the Week 7 opener on Thursday.

“I just feel pressure for the guys,” said LaPolice. “I want to win a game for the boys. I want the guys in the room to feel the glory of winning a football game.

“I try to make sure I'm the most positive guy in the room for them after a loss. ... I want to make sure that they know that I'm the most positive guy in the room. We'll correct what we got to correct, but I got to make sure I'm positive for them.”

The Redblacks appeared to have victory within their reach on Saturday, however the Ticats scored a touchdown with 19 seconds remaining and held on for a narrow win.

Ottawa still had a chance to pull out a victory, but ultimately came up short on a 53-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

“It's a hard thing for the players because they played well in some avenues, but in some avenues, they didn't do well enough to win,” said LaPolice. “When it's a game of inches like that, you're just trying to teach them that we need to clean up what we need to do, but you are a good team.”

Caleb Evans made the start for Ottawa following the loss of Jeremiah Masoli to injury in Week 5.

LaPolice said Evans did a good job running the football against Montreal but sees room for improvement for the second-year pivot and the team.

“He could be better throwing the football and in certain aspects, and we'll continue to work with him, but you we have to play