Ticats.ca
Justin Dunk
It was not too long ago that Ticats kicker Justin Medlock called Edmonton home, albeit it for a brief stay.
The well-traveled Medlock spent the last month of the 2010 CFL season on the Eskimos reserve list after signing as a free agent on October 14. In the off-season, he was dealt to Steeltown in a trade that involved three draft picks and three players on March 21.
“It’s a smart business decision if you can get somebody that you think you can possibly trade on the waiver wire and hold onto him and get something for of him,” Medlock said about his change of Canadian addresses. “Business is business and I kind of sensed that they were trying to trade me.”
Soon after the move was made to bring Medlock into the Ticats fold, the UCLA product got in contact with third string pivot Jason Boltus – the kicker had summoned his holder of choice.
“It’s the hardest thing holding for a lefty because nobody has really done it,” Medlock said.
Other members of the Black and Gold, like Quinton Porter and Dave Stala, have experience pinning, but their holding duties were performed for a right-footed boot. Medlock wanted to start with a fresh canvas and mold him exactly to his liking.
“I had to get somebody like Boltus who I knew was going be on the roster and I emailed him before the season and sent out some video to show him what he should work on in the off-season,” he said.
Kickers, like any athlete, are creatures of habit but Medlock is particularly particular when it comes to his ball being placed.
“I told him that if I’m too hard on you then let me know because I want this to be a working relationship,” Medlock said. “Sometimes quarterbacks can be more worried about the offence, but he always wants to get more reps. He’s actually been really good.”
In his third CFL season, Medlock has a career 85% field goal rate, which he has improved upon early in his time with Hamilton. Medlock made good on all of his field goal attempts in the pre-season, while hitting all three of his kicks in the season opener against Winnipeg.
“It’s nice to be able to say there is an area you want to improve in and actually make the move and see it translate into the pre-season, into your first game. You know you made the right decision,” head coach Marcel Bellfeuille said.
Although, there was never any doubt he could split the uprights with the best of them. One concern that CFL brain trusts had about Medlock was whether he could become an above average punter.
“He’s made the correction in terms of directional punting and of how it’s different in our league than it was to the NFL,” Bellefeuille said. “I’m happy with what Justin has done and his play has verified our decision.”
Medlock feels that he and long snapper Kevin Scott are getting more in sync each day at practice, which has only helped his punting numbers improve. In week one against the Bombers, Medlock averaged just under 41 yards per punt.
“I had one bad punt last week, I sensed that the rush was coming and I wanted to get it off and I kind of mis-hit it,” he said. “Take away that bad punt and I think everything was pretty solid.”
Medlock knows very well he can always improve and he feels it will take a few contests to feel comfortable with his new snapper and holder.
“It took me a couple games in Toronto to get into a groove and I think it’s going to take a couple games here,” he said. “In my mind I feel like I’m going to make everything.”
“I’ve always said that kicking is 99 per cent mental and 1 per cent physical at this level.”
