Ticats.ca
Justin Dunk
Football is a young man’s game.
Veterans on teams all across the league are constantly being pushed by the next crop of young, up-and-coming future stars. For the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, it has been a trio of very talented receivers that has had fans and the coaching staff believing in the youth movement.
Receivers Aaron Kelly 25, Bakari Grant 24 and Chris Williams 23 have performed well enough that the Ticats brain trust decided that the future is now, and made the decision to part ways with veteran Arland Bruce III.
Nagging injuries to Bruce and a freak accident to Maurice Mann opened the door for players like Chris Williams, who took the opportunity and literaly ran with it. First, in week three, grabbing two passing scores against Saskatchewan, before announcing his legitimacy to the rest of the league in week four, with a 189-yard, one touchdown performance against the Lions. Through five weeks of CFL action, Williams, who has only played in three of those games, is leading Hamilton in receiving with 304 yards. If he isn’t a household name by now, he should be.
Fellow first-year target, Bakari Grant has played a quiet role in the Ticats past three contests. He might be somewhat of a good luck charm too. Grant has suited up for three games in 2011, all of them Hamilton victories.
“I thought last week he took a major step to becoming a more viable, top level type of guy,” head coach Marcel Bellefeuille said after the Ticats final day of practice at Ivor Wynne before they fly out to Calgary.
“He didn’t have the big jump like Chris did, but he has gotten better every week.”
Grant had four catches for 44 yards in his first two CFL games. In week five against Montreal he recorded four catches for 46 yards, a definite sign of Grant starting to feel comfortable in the offence.
Meanwhile, training camp revelation, Aaron Kelly should not be forgotten. He is working his way back to full health after suffering a concussion during the fourth quarter in week one against Winnipeg.
All three young receivers have shown flashes of brilliance, but production, consistently, is the name of the game at the pro level.
“As you can see with Bruce, nothing is ever guaranteed,” Williams said. “You’ve gotta go out there each week and keep showing them why you should be that guy. Keep reassuring them that you can do this at a very high level.”
Kevin Glenn, the veteran pivot, has quickly developed chemistry, and taken a liking to his young targets.
“To be able to trade a guy like Bruce, away, it says a lot about the young receivers,’ he said. “It gives an opportunity to another guy and that’s what this business is all about, getting your opportunity.”
Williams slammed it into top gear and hit the fast lane with his opportunity, to nab himself a starting spot. Grant has gradually got up to speed, and Kelly is working to get back on the field. No matter the road each has traveled so far, the young pass catchers have been headed in the right direction.
“They can carry the load, they’ve proven it over five weeks now. I expect them to keep doing what they’ve been doing,” Bellefeuille said.
“It feels good that our coach has confidence in us,” Grant said.
Williams the smallest, in stature, has rung up the best statistics among the rookie trio to date, but he is expecting big things from the taller first year pros.
“I expect them to be making plays, making tough catches. Those guys are beasts, that’s why they’re on the field,” he said.
The mini-speedster has drawn a lot of attention from opposing defences, after shredding the Lions secondary.
“If they’re going to double one guy, the next guy is going to step up there and make them pay for it.”
