Fraser Caldwell
Ticats.ca
Cortez discusses roster moves
With a flurry of personnel activity in the past few days – most notably at the pivot position – the attention of the media in attendance at the second day of the Ticats’ training camp was understandably focused on the additions and subtractions. The team’s Head Coach and Director of Football Operations George Cortez addressed the new-look roster during a scrum which followed the team’s morning practice.
On the topic of the recent movement at quarterback – where the team released rookie pivots Sedrick Harris and Nick Fanuzzi and added fellow first-year Dan LeFevour – Cortez stated that the changes stemmed from the need to maintain a high level of competition at the position.
“The guys who we released, we didn’t feel were competitive and able to do what we needed them to do,” said the Ticats’ bench boss. “So we’ve brought another guy in and hopefully we’ll have the bodies here that we need to make the necessary decisions going forward.”
Like the team’s previous invitees under centre, Lefevour is a player renowned for his ability as a dual threat, amassing 102 passing touchdowns and 47 on the ground in his four seasons at Central Michigan. Cortez argued that such versatility is never a bad thing, particularly when one considers the wider CFL field.
“It’s a big, wide field out there and a guy who can run, can rescue plays with his legs that other guys can’t,” said the coach.
Depth is present across much of the roster at this early stage of the 2012 campaign, and Cortez indicated that no matter how competent his incumbent players are, it would be unwise to rest on their laurels.
“This is a matter of personnel,” said Cortez of his current roster. “The biggest mistake that you can ever make in personnel is to settle for the guys on your team, no matter how good they are. We’re obviously trying to find better players every year. Having said that, you know that you’re not going to replace some guys.
“To move to another team, even though BC has brought in five new receivers this year, they’re probably not replacing Geroy Simon. You have to bring guys in and have competition at different positions.”
Progress continues for birthday boy Burris
Monday marked Henry Burris’ 37th birthday, but the Ticats’ marquee quarterback believes that he’s as well prepared as ever to bear the brunt of a CFL campaign.
“I feel great,” said the veteran pivot when asked how his body was holding up at this early stage. “I had a full off-season of preparation for a big time season this year with a great team, so I’m staying focused on that and feeling the benefits of all of the work that I put in. It’s only day two, so by day eight or nine I’ll be able to let you know with the two-a-days how the off-season training worked out.”
“But I feel great and thankfully I’ve been able to get out there and stay healthy as I have throughout my career.”
When asked to judge the progress of the team in their second day of full training, Burris was optimistic that he and his offensive cohorts were moving well toward the level of understanding and cooperation that they will need when competitive football begins.
“The improvement continues,” said the veteran quarterback. “A lot of guys are swimming in information right now, and a lot is being thrown at them as far as the offence goes. For a lot of them it’s all new as well. They’re just trying to get it all down, so my job being a veteran is to help them out and relay what their responsibilities are so that we’re able to execute when we’re playing.”
Having tossed the pigskin to many talented receivers in his CFL career, Burris was asked to compare this year’s crop of Ticat pass catchers to those he’s worked with in the past. The seasoned pivot indicated that while experience remains to be gained for the young wide outs, they hardly lack in the skills needed to succeed on the field.
“The only difference between this receiving corps and the ones I’ve played with in the past is the experience level,” said Burris of his new peers. “The ones I’ve had in the past have had a lot more experience like (Jermaine) Copeland, Nick (Lewis), (Ken-Yon) Rambo and Romby Bryant. But as far as explosiveness, this is as good as it gets.
“There’s a lot of speed on this team, a lot of big playmaking ability. The hunger factor is definitely there and as vibrant as with any group I’ve ever been with. These guys are young, they know their potential and they want to make sure that they reach that and then some.”
