By Kevin Thompson
Ticats.ca discusses the team’s performance so far this season and their upcoming game against the Edmonton Eskimos with Tiger-Cats head coach Marcel Bellefeuille.
Two of the key factors in the team’s success in the last few games have been limiting both turnovers and penalties. What is key to maintaining the discipline of your players?
MB – “Well we have disciplined players on this team so that’s not a question, it’s just important for the focus and concentration level for our players to continue.”
This Saturday your team is up against an opponent with the same record (3-2) and top of the West division. How does your preparation change during practice and meetings going up against Edmonton?
MB – “It doesn’t change, you prepare every week for a different opponent so that’s not an issue. It’s someone we haven’t played yet so obviously there is a little more work to be done, but we treat every opponent the same.”
With a full week of practice under his belt so far…how involved will Arland Bruce III be with the Ticats offence this Saturday?
MB – “Much more than last week he understands a lot more of the offence so he’ll see the field much more.”
What is the status of Otis Floyd? Should we expect to see him in the line up against Edmonton?
MB – “We probably won’t see him this week, he was cleared to practice this week and did a good job at practice this week but it’s a long season so we will probably wait another week.”
Earlier this week the team signed import defensive linemen Montez Murphy. Can you comment on your expectations for Murphy at this point?
MB – “Montez is a veteran player who has moved from the edge to the inside. With the injury to Darrell Adams it is important for us to get someone with experience so we expect him to pick up things quite quickly and be able to help us out on the field as soon as possible.”
Can you talk about the threats Edmonton possesses and how you plan on containing them?
MB – “Well the first threat is the quarterback, he’s a great quarterback and moves the ball around well. Obviously Maurice Mann is leading the CFL in receiving right now so he’s a great player, but they’ve got four or five great receivers and a good running back so you can’t just defend one person because someone else can hurt you.”
Last week, the Tiger-Cats offence put together a great touchdown drive on the team’s first possession. How do you ensure the same offensive thrust at the start of the game this Saturday?
MB – “Well it was important and we talked about that last week about trying to get off to a quick start, get in the end zone right away and we were able to do that so that was very critical for us. Again we’ll look at our script that we will open with and try to put our players in position to make plays.”
As the sixth game approaches, in your opinion how has your team improved since the beginning of the regular season?
MB – “If you go back to week one against Toronto and look at how we played in week five obviously we have been getting better every week and continue to improve. Our style of play is established now so now it’s a matter of getting better at the execution.”
The defence made a game changing goal line play and forced several other turnovers in the game against B.C. Can you comment about their performance as a defensive unit?
MB – “They did a great job limiting points, we didn’t give up any points in the second half and you always have a chance to win if you can do that. They are doing the most important thing that we ask of them which is limiting our opponents to points.”
DeAndra’ Cobb is coming off another outstanding performance with two rushing touchdowns. What has been the key to his success so far this season?
MB – “He’s using all the skills that he has, he’s using his ability to catch the football, he’s using his ability to run and get into the second level to make big plays, and the coaches are doing a good job of getting the football in the right places.”
