Versatility is an expectation
Andy Fantuz could be sidelined on Thursday, but with his possible exclusion comes added attention for fellow receiver Sam Giguere.
The Tiger-Cats’ Head Coach George Cortez was unequivocal as he described his expectations of the first-year receiver on Tuesday.
“We have the same expectation for him [as Fantuz],” said Cortez. “Especially when we have a full week of practice for the guys that take spots, we expect them to play well. He had a good week in practice. It’s not like those guys don’t hear everything that’s said about every position.”
The coach explained that, due to the way in which his offensive system is constructed, receivers are expected to be able to play at every position.
“When we started in training camp, we talked about the fact that they’d have to be able to play any spot, because we call plays based on concepts rather than numbers,” said Cortez. “If you know what’s going on within the concept, you should ultimately be able to play the spots.
“Now, that’s obviously easier said than done when you’re first starting out, but once you get to it, it gives you an amazing amount of flexibility.”
Injuries have created varied personnel packages
The overwhelming storyline at Tiger-Cat practice this week has been the team’s efforts to accommodate the injuries it has sustained in recent weeks.
Cortez indicated on Tuesday that with a number of players receiving welcome practice reps, the team will be employing more than one personnel package against Winnipeg.
“We’ve had a number of injuries, most of them dealing with guys who play on special teams to be quite honest,” said the coach. “It has afforded us the opportunity to get more guys experience.
“We’ve practiced probably with two different ways to play on defence, and we’ll probably play both ways during the game, because all of those guys are going to be there.”
Cortez praised those players who have been forced into action midgame in recent contests, and stated that expectations are higher for such players with a week of practice under their belts.
“We’ve had a lot of change this year,” said the coach. “Some of it has come from players going down during games, and players have done a great job of filling in during the games.
“Now that some guys have been given a little more practice during the week, we’re expecting them to do a good job.”
Focus on constant improvement
Past games have posed inherent challenges for the Tiger-Cats, demanding that they prove their mettle on the road or against tough West Division opponents.
Cortez argued on Tuesday that his team’s mission this week is more insular in nature.
“Our theme has been to improve as a team,” said the coach. “The only way that you do that comes in how you prepare. The teams that are at their best when they need to be are doing something every day to get better.”
Fleshing out the “paper backups”
The third man on a depth chart usually lives a radically different life than those ahead of him. While the starter and backup at a position are sharing practice repetitions and readying for game action, the third-stringer is typically poised with pen and paper in hand.
Cortez spoke on Tuesday of the benefit of shedding the clipboard and forcing such “paper backups” into proper action due to injury.
“We’ve gone through it for a couple of games, playing three guys at one position in a game,” said the coach. “Everybody knows that the third guy at a position doesn’t get any reps. He’s the paper backup. That means that he’s got all of the paper with the lines on it and he listens at the meetings.
“When you actually have an opportunity with a guy to practice, it should improve our play.”
