Justin Dunk
Ticats.ca
Sailor Mouth’s
After Toronto’s 25-24 win last week over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Argos linebacker Ejiro Kuale was asked by Mark Masters of the National Post about the next game on the schedule versus Hamilton.
From the Post: When asked about the Ticats, Kuale had this to say, “Guess what? They’re going to lose next week. Period. Point blank. I’m guaranteeing it.”
The statement quickly made its way down the QEW to Steeltown and the Tiger-Cats would prefer to do their talking between the white lines on Saturday night.
“Some people need little things like that to get themselves going or to try and hype themselves up. He wants to guarantee a win well, we’re going to guarantee that we’re going to show up and give them everything we got,” Ticats linebacker Jamall Johnson said. “There backs are against the wall and we’re going to keep them pinned. Let them talk all they want, we’re going to let our pads and our play do the talking.”
Argos running back Cory Boyd joined in on the pre-game chatter on his twitter.
“Sleep tight PussyCatz… Good Nightmare,” Boyd tweeted on Thursday.
Come Saturday we will find out if the Argos play can back up their talk.
Stalking Steven
Hamilton will see the new look Argos offence for the first time on Saturday. Cleo Lemon started at quarterback for Toronto in the Tiger-Cats 37-32 week seven win. But since then Lemon was released and Steven Jyles has taken over the starting duties at quarterback.
“It is different, cause Jyles he’ll run,” linebacker Renauld Williams said. “Especially if he doesn’t have a throw, he’s going to look to run. He has some speed and he’s a good runner.”
”I think he’s a runner first as opposed to looking downfield and passing, we have to be aware of that.”
Jyles also poses a different threat when the Argos employ the zone read play with Boyd. Lemon didn’t have the speed to make teams pay if they crashed down on the running back, but Jyles does have that ability to get to the edge rushing the football.
“Jyles is more athletic, he has more speed, but it comes down to fundamental football,” Johnson said of defending the zone read. “You have to trust what you see and trust the guy next to you to do his job, so we can all do our jobs together.”
Number nine in double blue has piled up 189 yards rushing and one touchdown in his three games as a starter for Toronto. Keeping Jyles in the pocket and forcing him to beat the Ticats with his arm will be important for Hamilton.
Stepping Into Carter’s Void
Canadian receiver Matt Carter suffered a scary injury last week in Moncton, as a result he will miss this Saturday’s game in Toronto. Filling in for Carter will be Glenn MacKay. Number 15 will start for the second time this season, his other start came in Calgary on August 6, and his quarterback feels comfortable with him out there.
“Me and Glenn go way back,” Kevin Glenn said. “We worked out in the off-season together for two years.”
MacKay played his University ball at Windsor and Glenn is a Detroit native, with the two cities being a short drive away, the pair spent some time throwing and working out together in the off-season.
”I’m comfortable with him, just like I was with Carter,” Glenn said. “You can see his work ethic in practice and you know he’s going to be ready to play.”
That relationship should bode well for the Ticats on Saturday.
Terrifying T’s
Terry Grant and Marcus Thigpen proved it last week; speed is a lethal weapon. Grant struck pay dirt twice in his CFL debut. Meanwhile, Thigpen exploded for 139 yards and two scores in his first start as a slot back last Sunday in Moncton – he also added a 118-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown.
“They make a big difference because they’re guys who can make explosive plays,” Glenn said of his two new speed-burners. “You get it into there hands and they can electrify a game by taking something that’s small and turn it into a big play.”
Glenn certainly doesn’t mind having more weapons in his arsenal, the more threats the easier his job becomes.
“It means you don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to throw a 70-yard pass to get a touchdown,” Glenn said. “You can throw a five-yard pass and they can take it the rest of the 65.”
Further Investigation
Ticats linebacker Renauld Williams on the defences goals for each game:
“We do have goals that we set, but at the end of the day, I told the guys yesterday, by any means necessary we just need to come out of Toronto with a win. That’s our mindset for the rest of the season. I don’t care what we have to do, if we have to hold a team to zero points, that’s what we’re going to do. If KG [Kevin Glenn] has to score 50 points, that’s what he has to do. Any means necessary.”
