Adam Gagnon
Bert Faibish
Ticats.ca
In the world of sports, the word potential is a dangerous one.
To fans it means hope, but coaches are more cautiously optimistic when describing ‘maybes’ and ‘could be’s’.
“We’re a work in progress, we’re trying to get better everyday,” said Ticats Offensive Coordinator Mike Gibson.
“We’ve accelerated the player’s learning curve of where we want them to be and what we’re putting in, so you hope to get better every day,” he said.
Gibson has big hopes for the offence, and is beginning to see a cohesive unit take shape as the players begin to get more comfortable in the system.
“As it compares to a baby we’re just starting to walk, but I believe we’ll be alright,” he said. “I’m happy with where we are at this point but we still have a long way to go,” he added.
The evolution of last year’s rookie sensation DeAndra’ Cobb will have a lot to do with the fate of the team this year. The strides he has made since his first game at B.C. will be a boon to the team, as defences will have to worry about the run game as much as the vaunted aerial attack.
“He played 17 games last year plus one playoff game so there came a point in time last year where he wasn’t a rookie anymore,” said Gibson.
“What we’re trying to do is get a little more creative in the ways we’re getting him the ball, we’re trying to do a few other things to get him the ball in space,” he said.
Cobb will most likely be running the ball behind an all Canadian offensive line on Friday, thanks to a knee injury to projected starting right tackle Jason Jimenez.
“We took a hit when we lost Jason, he was a veteran presence, but Simeon Rottier is a guy who has been waiting for his chance and his chance is here now,” said Gibson.
“He’ll really be tested this week because those are two outstanding defensive ends that he’ll be playing against, so it will be a growing experience on the job for him,” he said.
Even though the starters on the offensive line are mostly the same, it will take some time for them to reach a comfort level that will allow them to play as one.
“As a group, the more they play together the more comfortable they’ll be,” said Gibson. “I always use the analogy; ‘If we get in a fight and you slap me it will hurt, but if you punch me it will hurt more’ so those five guys need to be five together, not five individuals.”
The receiving corps is one of the most talented in the league and has the chance to produce a number of 1,000 yard receivers this season.
A good mix of veterans and youth has everyone excited to see what the 2010 season will bring.
“We’ve got a very nice mixture of young and old,” said Gibson
“Arland Bruce may have a lot of years in this league but he’s like a rookie in terms of enthusiasm and attitude,” he said.
Bruce is expected to lead this talented group but it will be the play of some sophomore studs that decide just how good this team can be.
“We do have some younger guys like Drisan (James), Marquay (McDaniel), Chris Bauman, and they’re all guys that are good football players who will only get better as they progress,” said Gibson.
The offence will be lead by incumbent Kevin Glenn, a player that Gibson is very familiar with.
“In 2005 and 2006 we were together in Winnipeg so I’ve known Kevin for quite some time,” he said. “He has a tremendous amount of experience but with that experience he’s also young enough that he wants to continue to improve and grow as a leader.”
Only time will tell how good this team will be, but early indications show that the scoreboard operators across the country could be busy when the Tiger-Cats come to town.
