By: Justin Boone
A Case Of The Mondays
The Monday morning drive to work is a turbulent time. Some people dread every minute of it, and who can blame them. Others wake up with a smile and can’t wait to get on their way.
For Marcel Bellefeuille, arriving at the office Monday morning held something all together unexpected. It was the beginning of a new possession for the Ticats offensive coordinator and the beginning of one of the most eventful days of his life.
“It’s quite the whirlwind,” said the Ticats interim head coach, a position he accepted after the team decided to let go Charlie Taaffe. “It was a hard day. I’m very fond of coach Taaffe, I have the ultimate respect for him. So when I was asked to take over, I went in to visit with coach Taaffe and got his blessing. That made things a little easier, not a lot but a little bit.”
Unfortunately for Bellefeuille (Bell-Fay, for anyone who didn’t bother learning it while he was the OC) he’s taking over a team during a game week. It’s not the off-season where he can get ready for training camp, or even a bye week where he might have extra time to plan out his approach, it’s a read and react situation.
“I told the players all today that they basically have a blank slate,” he explained. “Everything that happened up until now is irrelevant. We’re going to start fresh, start new, and in my mind we’ll evaluate them everyday from here on in.”
Bellefeuille also sat down individually and collectively with his fellow coaches to get their input on what can be done differently in the final eight games of the season. The results of those meetings were “subtle changes,” he said.
“We want to come out and practice with speed and have passion for what were doing and be aggressive, but play smart. So we’ll focus on those goals. We’re trying to be upbeat, and let the players have fun and enjoy the game as well.”
While the 42-year-old was caught off guard by Taaffe’s release and his subsequent offer, he does have some experience dealing with an abrupt rise to power. During his time at the University of Ottawa, Bellefeuille received the same promotion right before training camp, although he does point out that he still had the benefit of a full training camp, as opposed to starting mid-season.
In any event, he is excited to leave the coaches’ box upstairs and don a headset on the sidelines, bringing with him the energy and enthusiasm that he feels the team can benefit from.
The Ins and Outs
(Storylines from around the CFL)
In The Same Boat – I’ve rubbed my eyes several times over the last two days, but the headlines remain the same. First, is Don Matthews return the CFL. A tough break for Rich Stubler, but it appeared that Stubler never found a comfort zone as a head coach. Some guys are born to be excellent coordinators, nothing more, and that’s all right. Head coaching is innate in Don Matthews and he will instantly bring accountability to the Argos. He admitted that his knowledge of the roster is limited, and so let the chance to make a first impression begin.
Shape Up Or Ship Out – Have the Argos met a first round pick from the NFL who they haven’t fallen in love with? Before you rush out and buy your Kenyatta Walker(14th overall, 2001, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) or Duane Clemons (16th overall, 1996, Minnesota Vikings) jerseys, know that the majority of these NFL cast offs were first round busts in the NFL for a reason. As much as the Ticats wanted to believe Rashaun Woods (31st overall, 2004, San Francisco 49ers) was going to catch fire, it didn’t happen. I don’t blame the Boatmen for going after players with recognizable names, especially in a market like Toronto, where they need to steal coverage from the Leafs and Raptors, but I’ll be surprised if a guy like Clemons at age 34, makes much of an impact.
Method In Their Madness – So Zeke Moreno is a Winnipeg Blue Bomber. On the surface it looks rough, mostly because I gave him a leather-bound binder a few short days ago, thinking I was doing a favour to the Black and Gold’s middle linebacker, not Manitoba’s newest son. In hindsight, the binder was free so odds are it will fall apart soon anyways. As for replacing Zeke, Cornelius Anthony has the athleticism to make just as many plays if not more from that position, which is the same spot he played for Denny Creehan in Calgary. With the first round pick coming over in the trade, the Tabbies will have a pair of first-rounders once again in the 2009. It’s time to start looking at who will be available come draft day.
Black Out Night – Friday, September 19 the Bombers will invade TigerTown and the Cats will be looking to avenge a game they should have won out in Winnipeg before the bye week. Fans are going to be a big part of the game as they Black Out Ivor Wynne Stadium. There will be huge savings on black Ticats merchandise, and 10,000 thunder sticks will be given away at the gates, as well as prizes for fans wearing the most black gear.
Easier Said Than Done
(Quote of the Week)
“All the audibles will be in French now.”
Ticats GM Bob O’Billovich jokingly explaining what Marcel Bellefeuille brings to the team as the interim head coach. Bellefeuille is bilingual, as are several of his offensive players, but there are no plans to make a switch just yet. I think you can hear Casey, Richie, and Quinton all breathing a collective sigh of relief.
Follow The Leader
(Leaders from CFL and the Ticats)
CFL Rushing – SSK Wes Cates – 153 carries, 893 yards, 8 TDs
Ticats Rushing – HAM Jesse Lumsden – 81 carries, 567 yards, 5 TDs
CFL Passing – EDM Ricky Ray – 241/361, 3,317 yards, 16 TDs
Ticats Passing – HAM Casey Printers – 96/158, 1,239 yards, 1 TD
CFL Receiving – Ken-Yon Rambo – 54 receptions, 827 yards, 4 TDs
Ticats Receiving – HAM Scott Mitchell – 22 receptions, 424 yards
CFL Tackling – WPG Zeke Moreno – 53 Tackles
Ticats Tackling – HAM Markeith Knowlton – 47 Tackles
CFL Interceptions – SSK Lance Frazier – 5 INTs
Ticats Interceptions – HAM Chris Thompson – 4 INTs
CFL Sacks – B.C. Lions Cameron Wake – 13 Sacks
Ticats Sacks – HAM Darrell Adams – 4 Sacks
Let me know your thoughts on the week by sending your e-mails, comments, or questions to jboone@ticats.ca
