THE CANADIAN PRESS
Fraser Caldwell
Ticats.ca
Cortez: Mock game adds awareness
The Ticats saw their first action at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as the team participated in a mock game designed to expose players to a variety of in-game scenarios.
Reached for comment in the wake of the exercise, the team’s Head Coach and Director of Football Operations George Cortez indicated that the practice succeeded in broadening his prospective players’ situational understanding.
“We got a look at most of the situations that we wanted to, so that the guys understand that for example, when we throw a long foul ball at the end of the clock with six seconds left, there’s a reason that we’re doing it,” Cortez explained. “We do it because we want to run down time. It turned out to be a lot of field goals out there today, but that’s just the way it worked out.”
The kingpin of the Ticats’ offensive unit also took a moment to praise his players’ approach, pointing to the communication between his receivers as a promising sign going forward.
“They’ve done a good job of absorbing stuff,” said Cortez of his offense. “Our execution lacks somewhat as it always will at this point with us still getting the right combinations together. The receivers are talking to each other though and as long as they’re talking it will work out in the end.”
Cobourne: an easy choice to return
After his return to the Ticats was announced earlier on Saturday, Avon Cobourne addressed the media in the wake of the afternoon’s Ivor Wynne workout.
The veteran tailback indicated that while he had been fully prepared for life after football until he received the call to return to the Black and Gold, he was well aware that the remained on the team’s radar.
“I was prepared for my job but I still had the gym membership, and I was still working out,” said Cobourne. “I knew that I might have to move on but I also knew that I would be the first call. It’s unfortunate that Martell got injured, but one man’s mishap is another man’s blessing.”
When asked whether a return to football was a difficult decision, Cobourne responded that he could hardly resist the opportunity to do what he loved most once again.
“It wasn’t too difficult,” said the rusher of his choice to return to the Black and Gold. “It was a matter of coming to do something you love versus doing something you like. It wasn’t even really an option for me. My wife told me, “you know that you want to play.” I told her that she was right.”
Burris: losing Mallett and gaining Cobourne
The Ticats’ star pivot Henry Burris spoke of the loss of Martell Mallett and the acquisition of Cobourne in the aftermath of the Saturday afternoon exercise.
The veteran quarterback argued that while Mallett’s injury remains a harsh reality, the Ticats were extremely fortunate to have a running back of Cobourne’s talent and experience available in relief.
“He was one of the feature backs in this league and to have that happen was a devastating thing,” said Burris of Martell’s season-ending Achilles tendon injury. “We’re carrying the fact that he should be out here on our shoulders and we’re going to dedicate this season to him and try to do some great things for him and for the stadium here. But to have a guy like Avon just sitting there waiting in the wings who brings the total package to the table is great.
“He’s a guy who’s familiar with playing here in Hamilton and has done nothing but great things in this league no matter where he’s been. So we were very fortunate to have him waiting and to have him as a part of our team now.”
