Arthur Ward
Ticats.ca
Justin Dunk
The biggest splash in Steeltown during the off-season was made with the signing of versatile running back, Avon Cobourne.
A two-time Grey Cup champion with the Alouettes and a three-time East Division All-Star, Cobourne is a proven, hardnosed runner, who is an every-down type of back. He averaged 5.2 yards per rush during the 2010 season with Montreal, while catching 64 passes (leading all CFL running backs in receiving) and providing stout blitz pickup ability. It’s expected that Cobourne will lead the Ticats rushing attack in 2011 with his ability and swagger.
Perhaps the biggest Ticats threat to score with the ball in his hands – as he showed on many explosive plays last season — is Marcus Thigpen. The Ticats will be looking to get Thigpen increased touches on offence this season, as he boasted a 8.4 yards per carry average to go along with his three offensive touchdowns in 2011. It is possible Ticats fans might see Cobourne and the versatile Thigpen lined up in some offensive sets sharing the backfield. Also, if Thigpen shows some promise during training camp, he could earn some offensive snaps at the slot receiver position as well.
Another off-season get, albeit with less fanfare, was non-import running back, Daryl Stephenson. He previously spent three seasons with Winnipeg in a special teams and back-up role. Stephenson played his university football in Windsor, where he rushed for a CIS career record 5, 163 yards. While in Winnipeg, Stephenson was asked to put on weight and become a fullback, however the Ticats see him as a true running back. Stephenson will be counted on to provide consistent special teams play and he could earn some playing time in the Ticats single back formations.
Glenn Milner showed enough skills at mini-camp in April to earn a chance to compete at training camp. Milner is the biggest running back on the roster at 220 pounds and he will be looking to prove he can fit into the Ticats offensive attack.
After spending four weeks at the end of the 2010 season on the practice roster, Conte Cuttino has been brought back for training camp this year and will be in the mix for the backup running back position behind Cobourne.
Former Crimson Tide running back, Terry Grant will be looking to impress the offensive coaching staff at camp. Grant started nine of thirteen games as a redshirt freshman at Alabama in 2007 where he set school freshmen records in rushing for 851 yards on 180 carries.
Lining up at full back and entering his third season with the Ticats is Darcy Brown, who will be pushed in camp by a newcomer to the position, veteran Agustin Barrenechea. Brown enters his third campaign after being selected in the first round of the 2009 CFL Draft while Barrenechea moves to the offensive side of the ball after eight seasons as a linebacker.
