BCLions.com
Justin Dunk
Ticats.ca
More Newcomers
It was a couple months in the making for Jeremy Kelley, and not so much for Robert Rose – but both players will make their Ticat debuts on Saturday.
Kelley was signed to Hamilton’s practice roster on August 5 and has been working diligently on scout team and learning the nuances of being a receiver in the CFL. The 6-6 225 pound target will take the place of Chris Williams, who is nursing a minor lower body injury, on the game day roster versus the Lions.
“It’s been a long time coming, but it feels good,” Kelley said. “It’s definitely been empowering to hear everybody say they’re excited to see me get out there and play.”
”I’m here now, but it’s about not just knocking at the door of opportunity, I want to kick it in tomorrow.”
While Kelley was forced to wait for his chance to suit up with the Tiger-Cats Rose, a 6-5 285 pound defensive lineman, has been with the team for less than a week and finds himself on the active roster.
“I was at home for seven weeks so it feels good to get back playing with a team and feel the camaraderie and all the things that go with being on a team,” he said.
Even though Rose was out of football for almost two months, he wasn’t far from the game and is mentally ready for live action on Saturday.
“I was still working out and studying the basic fundamentals of the game,” Rose said. “It feels good just to physically be able to play football.”
As for what we can expect out of Rose, the Ohio state alum on Saturday, he said we’ll all have to wait and see.
Bruce Back in Steeltown
Earlier this season on August 3, veteran receiver Arland Bruce was shipped to the left coast and has taken a liking to his new home. The enigmatic pass catcher has 35 catches for 577 yards and seven touchdowns with his new team and his former teammates knew he still had some roar left in him.
“I’ve been watching him on television, he’s doing a great job,” quarterback Kevin Glenn said. “I knew he was going to have success once he left here just because of the professional that he is: he works hard on and off the field and he’s a great teammate.”
Bruce has teamed with fellow veteran pass target, Geroy Simon to form a very capable tandem of playmakers.
“They get the ball to Geroy, they put him in different positions to try and get him the ball and same thing with Bruce,” defensive back Dee Webb, who should see his fair share of both receivers, said. “We have to know where they are at all times.”
Number one for the Lions has helped take attention away from Simon and balance the field for the B.C. offence.
“They have evolved since they added Bruce to the offence. You can’t just key in on one of them,” Webb said. “They’ve been putting up points with two of the top receivers in the game.”
Limiting Lulay’s Legs
B.C. boasts rifle-armed pivot who is very adept at using his legs to do damage against opposing CFL defences. Travis Lulay has racked up nearly 4,000 yards and 24 touchdowns through the air this season. Totals that rank second to the great Anthony Calvillo, but he is among the leading rushers at his position as well. Number 14 for the Lions is one of five CFL quarterbacks with over 300 yards on the ground, although he is lethal in one other way when he avoids the oncoming pass rush.
”He extends plays with his legs and that’s when the veteran receivers really shine,” head coach Marcel Bellefeuille said.”They find a hole to get to and they’re going to know where that hole is and catch the football. If you can keep him in the pocket and make him throw on rhythm you’ll have a better opportunity to match up against Simon and Bruce. When the play gets extended the probability for Lulay and his receivers to beat you increases, significantly.”
Keeping Lulay contained will certainly be a point of emphasis for high-motor Hamilton defensive ends, Stevie Baggs and Justin Hickman.
Further Investigation
Ticats head coach Marcel Bellefeuille on what the Lions have done well during their eight game win streak:
“They’ve been playing very good, clean football. They’ve been winning the turnover battle and the quarterback has been making plays. They haven’t been making many mistakes or having any breakdowns schematically.”
Ticats receiver Dave Stala on how the Lions defence has evolved since the teams last meeting in week four:
“They’re playing with a lot more confidence. They’re flying around – we have to make sure we’re assignment perfect. They will give us a lot of different looks, a few different defences that other teams don’t play.”
Ticats quarterback Quinton Porter on the players only meeting held this week:
“It was one last wrap up for the team to talk to each other before we go into the playoffs, just to let some of the younger guys know how crucial these next few weeks are, and what opportunity we have as a team going into the playoffs and making a push for the Grey Cup.”
