Thigpen Evolves In Sophomore Season

Ticats.ca
Justin Dunk

It was a record-breaking rookie season for electric return man, Marcus Thigpen.

He scored the first time he touched the football in a regular season game — taking the season-opening kickoff back 93-yards for a touchdown — and he became the first player in CFL history to score a touchdown five different ways over the course of one year; rushing, receiving, punt return, kickoff return and missed field goal return.

In the return game, Thigpen hit pay dirt on four different occasions, but as he doubles his years of CFL experience, he also plans on doubling his number of kick return touchdowns.

“I always have goals, I’m wearing number eight again this year so I’m going for eight returns… kickoff returns, field goal return, punt return.  I’m going for eight,” Thigpen said.

“Last year he made a lot of plays by himself and we’re working hard to create more opportunities for him with better blocking schemes,” Ticats head coach Marcel Bellefeuille said after another back-to-back practice session at McMaster University.

The key to busting a big return is finding that one hole to pop through and breakaway and, for Thigpen, the vision to find that hole is natural.

“As a returner you gotta have that niche for it. As soon as you catch the ball, you have to be able to hit the hole full speed because if you don’t and pitter patter with your feet, they’re going to get you,” Thigpen said.

“It’s kind of a risk, but you just have to trust in your teammates and know that they’re going to get their blocks and just hit the seams when you see them.”

2010 was the first year Thigpen handled primary punt return duties in his football career, he was always a kickoff return specialist so the Indiana grad is using training camp to become more comfortable fielding punts.

“Kickoff return has always been my thing, but this year I’ve really been putting emphasis on catching punts,” Thigpen said. “Trying to judge the ball off the punters foot, especially in windy conditions, is harder than kickoff returns because of the flight of the ball. You just have to watch the tip of the football.”

The evolution of the former Hoosier, in his second CFL season, should see his opportunities to touch the football and make plays on offence increase in 2011.

“He is going to have a number of different responsibilities, as receiver, as a running back – he won’t be a quarterback I can tell you that – but he will do everything else,” Bellefeuille said. “He’ll block, he’ll run routes and now with him having a training camp under his belt as a true receiver he’ll be much better.”

“Having this camp under my belt is definitely an advantage, compared to coming into camp late last year,” Thigpen said. “Wherever coach calls for me I will be there.”

Thigpen rushed the football 28 times averaging over 11 yards per carry and caught 20 passes out of the backfield last year, so there is no doubt he can catch the football and be explosive with it, but he is getting back on the proverbial bike for the first time since his first year at Indiana.

“My freshmen year in college I was a receiver so there is really nothing too new, but the waggle is the hardest part,” Thigpen said.

Thigpen is learning to use the waggle or running start at the slotback position to it’s full potential.

“The defenders never know where you’re going and you’re coming at them full speed while they’re at a stand still, so I feel like that’s a win every time, Thigpen said. “You can stem them coming off the line and they have to respect it. I think it’s definitely an advantage to my part of the game because I am a speed breaker.” 

Thigpen’s role on offence will continue to grow as he gets more comfortable and polished at the receiver position.

“The main thing I am working on is my routes and being more patient. I catch the ball pretty well — I’ve had only one or two drops all of training camp,” Thigpen said.

“His route running has improved significantly, he’s understanding coverages and releases more. I think he is already in the process of improving,” Bellfeuille said.

“Marcus Thigpen 2.0” is as comfortable and confident as ever, which will make him a handful for opponents to prepare for and try to stop in 2011.

“The fans are going to see a lot. I’m way more prepared then I was last year, I’m way more comfortable with the whole system here, I know what the coaches want and need from me,” he said. “I’m just ready to go and take on any challenge.”

MULTIMEDIA

TRAINING CAMP NOTES

• Receiver Bakari Grant was the star of Monday’s sessions, as the rookie wideout hauled in everything thrown his way including a handful of highlight-reel catches.  Fellow receivers Aaron Kelly and Glenn MacKay also stood out on Monday. 
• On defence, defensive back Marcell Young made several impressive knockdowns.  The Jackson State product has shown impressive cover skills since arriving at McMaster for rookie camp.
• Carlos Thomas made the play of the day with an unbelievable diving interception on a Quinton Porter pass intended for Rory Kohlert in the end zone.