Head Coach Marcel Bellefeuille tackles some questions about last Friday’s big win over Winnipeg and the game ahead in the latest Tiger-Cats Q&A…
You’ve had a few days to study the film from Friday’s win. What are your thoughts on the game versus Winnipeg?
MB: Well we did a lot of the little things right, which is important. It’s something we’ve talked about something that is important for the progress of our team. I felt we improved from eek 1 to week 2 and again from week 2 to week 3, so we have to continue to improve and do the little things well.
Against Winnipeg, Markeith Knowlton had a big interception, Otis Floyd made a timely sack and Jamall Johnson led the team in tackles once again. Can you talk a bit about the play of your linebackers so far this season…
MB: They’re kind of like the team. They started slower in week 1, then they got better in week 2 and week 3 they played their best football so far, so they’re a microcosm of the team and they’re improving every week just like the team is.
The offensive line has given up just two sacks in the last two games. You must be pleased with their performance…
MB: We had a rocky start over in Winnipeg and I think things have improved since then. We’ve gotten better and communication is better and I think the players around them are doing a good job. The quarterback’s getting rid of the football and the receivers are doing a good job of being where they need to be, so it’s making things a little easier.
Kevin Glenn is third in the league in passing. He’s thrown for almost 700 yards over the last two games. Why is he having so much success?
MB: I think success is a team thing. He’s having success because the receivers are doing a good job, he’s having success because the O-line is protecting for him and because the coaches are putting him in good situations, and because he’s playing well.
He’s focused and he understands what he needs to do for the team to succeed and I think it bodes well for him that he’s able to tune in every week and improve his game.
Glenn completed passes to eight different players against Winnipeg, and five of them made at least five receptions. How much does it help your team when he’s able to distribute the ball to several different players?
MB: It’s very important, first of all, to keep teams off balance. Our coaches have done a terrific job of putting players in positions to make plays and coach Gibson has done a great job of calling the game where’s he’s created opportunities for everyone.
Will Heyward made his first career start at cornerback. What did you think of his performance?
MB: He did very well. He wasn’t tested very much, but he made some big plays, made a big play to get us off the field on third down. We expected him to be good.
You’re heading into a hostile environment this week, facing the reigning Grey Cup champs in their home opener. How do you help your team handle these adverse conditions?
MB: We’ve practiced two days now with noise, which is one more than we usually do, to get them used to communicating. It will be important for us to keep our composure, we have to be mentally tough and have to keep our composure. The other thing we have to do is play well, to silence the crowd you have to play well.
Montreal’s offence has plenty of weapons. What’s the most effective way of stopping them?
MB: It’s always tough because (Anthony Calvillo) is such a great player and everyone around him does a great job. It’s not easy and it’s not done very often, but you have to tackle well and when they throw the ball underneath you have to tackle and get off the field.
You have to play aggressively on the receivers whenever you can, and pressure is always the key. No matter what quarterback you’re playing against, when you get pressure you have a better opportunity for the defence.
You added Belton Johnson to the practice roster earlier this week. Where do you see him fitting in on your roster for this season?
MB: We’re just evaluating right now, he’s had a good week of practice and he looks like he’s in good shape so we’ll keep looking at the situation and monitor it day to day.
