Ticats.ca
Justin Dunk
The Ticats receiving corps remains largely intact, with the veteran group of Arland Bruce III, Dave Stala, Marquay McDaniel and Maurice Mann returning this season. With these four pass-catchers leading the way on offence, the Tiger-Cats were the only team in the CFL last season to have four different receivers with at least 750 yards receiving.
Leading the group of talented Ticats receivers was #1, Arland Bruce III. Bruce posted eight touchdown grabs to go with his 1,303 yards — the third highest receiving yardage total in the CFL during the 2010 season. Entering his 10th CFL season, Bruce will likely surpass the 10,000 yard receiving mark as he sits just 704 yards away from the career milestone. Bruce has endeared himself to Ticats fans with his big play ability and should be one of the go-to play-makers again in 2011 when the Tiger-Cats have the football.
Hamilton native Dave Stala grabbed a career best 85 passes last season and was a first down machine moving the chains with many of his receptions. Coming out of training camp this year, the 2010 East Division Most Outstanding Canadian will be counted on to make key catches and lead the Canadian contingent of receivers.
Five-year CFL veteran Maurice Mann is looking to increase his production and make a larger impact this season. Entering his second full season with the Ticats, Mann turned heads at mini-camp last month, earning rave reviews from Ticats coaches and the media during April’s three day mini-camp for his impressive catches and work ethic. A move inside to slot should see more balls headed Mann’s way. He has all of the tools to have an all-star season in 2011.
McDaniel posted a career best 994 yards receiving and seven touchdown receptions in 2010. He will be striving to break the 1,000 yard plateau in 2011 and provide the offence with a reliable weapon in the Ticats deep receiving core.
Former B.C. Lions first round draft pick, Matt Carter will be looking to fill the non-import starting receiver void left by Chris Bauman, who migrated to the Edmonton Eskimos during the off-season. Carter dressed in all but two games last season for the Ticats, making 10 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns while contributing on special teams as well. He’ll have an opportunity to earn a larger role in the offence with a solid camp showing.
A trio of import free agent signings will be looking to turn Ticats coaches heads during training camp.
Clemson grad Aaron Kelly should be a talent Ticats fans should keep a close eye on. At 6’5″, he brings some much needed size to the Tiger-Cats receiving corps. Kelly is obviously a big target, but the coaching staff will be looking to see if Kelly can consistency catch the ball and adapt to the Canadian style of football during camp.
Speedster Chris Williams out of New Mexico State — a former NCAA Biletnikoff Award finalist — will be looking to show he is not just a burner, but a reliable pass target as well.
Auburn alum, James Swinton as well as London Crawford, Bakari Grant and Jordan Watson will be import receivers reporting to
training camp this year.
Swinton spent some time on the Atlanta Falcons practice roster in 2009 and will be looking to catch the eye of the Ticats offensive staff. Crawford was on the Ticats practice roster at the end of the 2010 campaign after a training camp stint with the NFL’s Houston Texans. At 6-4, Grant brings size as an asset, but he must make the transition to running routes on the Canadian field quickly in order to earn roster spot.
Four Canadian pass catchers round out the receiving group expected to be at training camp. Glenn MacKay, who spent the majority of the 2010 season on the Ticats practice roster, along with newcomers Rory Kohlert, Blaine Kruger and Brenden Owens will be looking to secure a spot.
