Bert Faibish
Ticats.ca
With the first pre-season game behind the team, this Sunday’s game will mark the first almost a dozen veteran players will take the field together since last November’s playoff loss to the B.C. Lions.
“When that plane took off for home last year I just couldn’t wait until we could get back on the field because I felt like we left a lot out there,” said Ticats running back DeAndra’ Cobb.
Last weekend’s game in Toronto saw many veteran starters sit the game out to give the young players a chance to get some playing time.
This Sunday the focus will be more on giving the first team offense and defense a chance to play together and build on the chemistry that brought the team success last season.
For many vets this will represent the first chance to see extended playing time against an opposing team. The chance to finally hit someone in another coloured jersey is something that has many players excited.
“We’ve been waiting all camp for the chance to really hit somebody so it’s going to feel good,” said linebacker Otis Floyd. “I’m pretty sure I’ll have those butterflies in the beginning but after the first hit all that will go away,” he added.
Some players are anxious to see the difference that off-season training has made in their game.
“With practice and camp you don’t really get the full effect of the game, so I’m excited to get my feet wet and see how the hard work I put in this off-season paid off,” said Cobb.
It’s not just individual changes that players are anxious to see, but also the chemistry that they’ve built between each other during training camp.
“It’ll be good to be in a game situation and start trusting the guy next to you, I’m looking forward to it,” said Floyd.
Up to this point, offensive and defensive units have been mixed with players who are projected at all different levels on the depth chart.
Come game day, starting lineups will start to come together.
“That’s when you truly see what you’ve got out there, when everyone is on the field together,” said Floyd.
Kickoff for Sunday’s game against the Blue Bombers is set for 1 pm. Many of the Ticats starters are expected to play the majority of the first half.
