Fraser Caldwell
Ticats.ca
Cortez: Cobourne and Rutley both seeing the ball
Rookie rushing sensation Chevon Walker came up limping last week, and has been limited in practice thus far.
Tiger-Cat Head Coach George Cortez indicated on Monday that he has been pleased with Walker’s progress, but was unsure whether he would be prepared to play on Thursday.
“He was probably better than I expected yesterday,” said Cortez of his first-year running back. “I know he was down here on the end working on his own. We’ll see how he is tomorrow. I’m not leaning one way or the other.”
Experienced alternate Avon Cobourne has been taking first team reps this week, while recent addition Brandon Rutley has also seen his share of the ball. Cortez welcomed the opportunity to get the ball into the hands of the untested rookie.
“We’ve got two other backs here. They’ve both been taking reps and it’s been good, because you get to actually see Rutley do something,” said the coach. “Otherwise, he doesn’t take a whole lot of reps.”
Cortez: Rutley has been eager to learn
When asked to characterize Rutley, Cortez praised the running back’s apparent willingness to learn and the superior balance that he demonstrated on Monday.
“He showed he had great balance today on one run. I don’t know how he didn’t go down,” remarked the coach. “He’s picked things up pretty fast, which sometimes isn’t all that easy for guys who come in and miss out on training camp.
“He’s been coming in early and meeting with (Running Backs Coach) Ryan (Sheahan) in the mornings. He’s got good hands and he’s not scared of protecting, so he looks like a guy who could be a running back in the league.”
Cortez: Cobourne is knowledgeable, ready to go
Cortez was asked to assess the readiness of Cobourne for game action, with the possibility that the veteran could see the field on Thursday.
The coach spoke of his satisfaction with Cobourne’s practice efforts, and remarked that the veteran’s base of knowledge makes him easy to instruct.
“He’s had a good week in practice,” said Cortez. “He knows the offence very well, and he understands the league too. You don’t have to give a long explanation of why you want something done a certain way. When you say you want it wider on a route, he knows why you want it wider.”
The coach also indicated that Cobourne’s outspoken personality brings some flavour to the Tiger-Cats’ practices on a regular basis.
“He definitely brings a unique viewpoint when we’re practicing,” said Cortez. “Because when he’s on the scout punt-rush team, he’s always saying that he’s been blocked. He’s not even within 10 yards of the punter most of the time. He livens things up.”
Cortez: Consistency is the key defensively
Asked to identify the key to his defence’s success this week, Cortez placed his emphasis on consistency. He argued that his defenders have shown glimpses and enjoyed stretches of solid play, but have yet to string together 60 minutes.
“In the last two games, we’ve played extremely well in a couple of quarters, but we haven’t played well consistently,” said Cortez of his defence. “That’s one of the things that we have to do. I think that the plan is good from what we talked about last night, and it didn’t seem like the guys are struggling with what we’re trying to do. So that’s always a plus.
“We’re always concerned if we don’t get stops where we need to get stops. We’re not different from anyone else. We’d like to get off the field and get the offence out there more often.”
Burris: Adjustments needed in the rematch
Henry Burris indicated on Monday that despite his offence’s success against Montreal in Week 4, adjustments would be necessary on Thursday.
“You’re going to make some [adjustments], because they’re showing some different wrinkles up front defensively and also on the back end,” said the quarterback.
“That’s allowed them to have the success that they’ve been having. They’ve been flying around and having a great time. They’ve learned from their misfortunes of early on.
“So we definitely have made some adjustments, but we’re also keeping some of the same things that succeeded in game one.”
Burris: Cobourne is an example for others
Burris was asked on Monday whether Cobourne retains the outgoing, in-your-face personality he has become known for during his CFL career.
The Ticat quarterback suggested that while the running back remains the same, he has been an exemplary professional in his time in Hamilton.
“He’s a professional, and the one thing that I’ve truly admired about him since he’s been here is that every day you see him being one of the hardest working guys on the field,” said Burris of Cobourne.
“I know he’s trying to catch up to everybody in terms of getting into game shape. But in terms of getting into the offence and getting to know it, he’s been getting himself mentally prepared for every game whether he was playing or not.
“But he’s also been working with the young guys, working with Chevy and making sure that he was comfortable with the things that he’s supposed to be doing.”
Burris argued that if anything, Cobourne’s brash demeanor makes him a motivational figure in the Tiger-Cats’ locker room.
“He’s still loud in the locker room, but he’s a guy who backs up what he speaks,” said the quarterback. “When he goes out there, he’s not saying anything to someone that’s not needed. He does what he can to be a leader in this locker room. He motivates guys in different ways, but when things seem a little thick, he gets guys laughing.”
Burris: Ball protection will be better
Burris was repentant on the topic of ball protection, and argued that his troubles in Winnipeg were a lesson learned.
“That was the first time,” said the quarterback of his Thursday fumbles. “I’ve never had that situation happen. It was definitely a frustrating situation to go through. In the passing game, I thought we were doing some really good things, but to have that happen is a reality check for you. I only had two fumbles, one lost, until that point.
“It taught me a great lesson, a valuable lesson. I’ll make sure given that situation again, that I have a technique to handle the ball.”
