Fraser Caldwell
Ticats.ca
Cortez: a “road game” with roster moves looming
The Ticats engaged in their second Black and Gold practice of training camp on Saturday, moving the action to Burlington’s Nelson High School amid a party-like atmosphere.
In the wake of the weekend workout, the team’s Head Coach and Director of Football Operations George Cortez indicated that he and his players had approached the excursion as a road trip, with all of the adjustment that entailed.
“I’m sure it’s a little different for the players,” said the coach of the Saturday afternoon event.
“There’s a bit of built in adversity there. You don’t know where the bathrooms are, it’s a different place. It blows some guys’ minds, and that’s why when people go on the road they tend not to perform as well. It’s something we’ve talked about, and we want to be able to go on the road and be able to perform.”
Performance has become crucial for the Ticats’ hopefuls as the Monday deadline quickly approaches to trim the roster to 65. Cortez pointed out on Saturday that many of his players had missed substantial training time due to injury and would have to be closely monitored before personnel decisions could be made.
“We’ve had a bunch of guys who have not practiced, and we’ll have to see how they’ve come through the last few practices and that will have some effect on what goes on,” said Cortez. “We’ve gone through the scenarios and we know fairly well in our minds what we’re going to do, but we’ll have to get back and see who has come through practice after being on the limp.”
With training camp winding down, the Ticats’ bench boss spoke of his satisfaction with the way in which recent practices had proceeded, but argued that spotting the nuances of his players’ efforts depended upon film review.
“I think we’ve had good practices,” said Cortez. “I think it’s been mostly mental in the mornings, but I think the afternoons have been pretty high-paced, which is what we’re looking for. Sometimes the proof is in the pudding, but sometimes it’s not exactly in what you see, a guy catching a pass for example. It’s about a guy getting into exactly the right spot, getting to the right drop point and coming off in the right direction. It’s those things you don’t see unless you watch tape.”
Hage: a “positive time” as he nears game action
Marwan Hage is noticeably itching for a return to competitive football after spending the better part of a year rehabilitating a nagging knee injury.
But as he rounds into shape and can see the light at the end of his competitive tunnel, Hage takes pleasure in the more interactive elements of his job as evidenced by Saturday’s Black and Gold event in Burlington.
The seasoned offensive lineman and Hamilton area philanthropist argued in the wake of the Burlington workout that any occasion to commune with the Ticats’ rabid fan base is an opportunity worth embracing.
“Any day you can come out and connect with the fans on a one-on-one level where you can just talk to them and hear their concerns, their cheers and support, is a great day,” said Hage.
“Obviously, I’ve been in Hamilton for a long time and that’s the key to the Ticats. That’s how this team survives is through these fans. Any time you get to come out and share that experience with them, it’s always a positive time.
“It’s exciting from the second that you walk in. It’s the kids, the music, and the barbecue. We get our work done, but it’s like a homecoming.”
The Ticat veteran’s return to action has been a hot topic of speculation among fans and media onlookers alike, and Hage indicated that his physical progression is nearly complete.
“I feel great,” said the lineman. “I’m doing contact now and running with the first team and right now I’m just trying to build some conditioning and some stamina. But I feel great. I’ve been working hard all winter and I’ve put myself in a position to come back. We’re right around the corner and I’ll be making that comeback really soon.”
The hours spent in training have served him well throughout his rehabilitation process, but Hage indicated that only the competitive rush of a game can quench the thirst that has continued to grow since his injury in September.
“I get in there and I feel alive,” said the Ticat veteran. “I haven’t felt alive since I got hurt. I feel like everything is coming back. My old reads, my old plays, my calls. I felt like when I got hurt, the monster inside me got buried for a long time. It’s been just sitting there. It’s been a while of just straight training for six hours, trying to get back to this level. But it’s been a humbling journey.”
