Fraser Caldwell
Ticats.ca
Burris: Tackling hunger is necessary
With Monday’s Labour Day Classic comes the Tiger-Cats’ annual food drive as part of the CFL and Purolator’s Tackle Hunger initiative.
Ticat quarterback Henry Burris – as the team’s face of the program – implored fans to be generous as he addressed the media on Thursday.
“It really boils down to the fact that this all goes toward the proper place, to those who are definitely in need,” said Burris of the program’s proceeds.
“When kids don’t have the proper nourishment, they can’t live out their dreams because their bodies and mental function aren’t truly developed the proper way. There are many different ways in which people are affected.
“Any time that you have the opportunity to donate food to a cause like this to help out a child, to put food on the table for them and their family, who would hesitate? This is an opportunity for the people of this city to make their voices heard.”
Burris indicated that fans can make a positive impact not only through donation, but by spreading awareness of the program to those they know as well. There is a potential prize on the line for those who do donate: Burris’ own signed jersey.
“For every fan that comes in, we’re asking them to bring a can or a non-perishable good,” said Burris.
“Cash donations are also something that’s always a benefit to the cause. But they can always take the word of this food drive and spread it to build the awareness that this is taking place. Even if they’re not coming to the game, at least drop by and make a donation.
“But we’re also giving away a free jersey autographed by myself in a draw for all of the fans that are able to come and help out the cause. It’s a small token to say thank you for what the fans are doing.”
Burris: No “moral victories” wanted
Burris was unequivocal on the topic of his team’s goal on Monday. Nothing less than a victory will do for the Tiger-Cats as they look to break out of a three-game slide.
The quarterback is uninterested in “positive steps” or “moral victories”. Only the sort of ‘W’ that can be found on a standing chart will do.
“Being at 3-5 right now, I haven’t had a lot of good sleep lately,” said Burris. “We’ve been in games and that’s all fine and dandy, but we’re not after motivational victories.
“We want victories on paper that show that get us up where we want to be, which is up there with Montreal playing for first place. But we’ve got to get through Toronto and win these two games.”
Cortez: A meaningful occasion for the fans
The Tiger-Cats’ Head Coach George Cortez is firmly focused on the challenge of besting the Argos on the field on Monday. But he acknowledged on Thursday that this year’s edition of the Labour Day Classic will undoubtedly have a special place in the hearts of fans.
“I’m sure it matters to the fans a lot,” said Cortez of Monday’s game. “It matters to us because it’s the next game and it’s an important game if we want to accomplish the goals that we all have. It’s important to get a win to jump-start the second half of the season.
“It being my first season here, I haven’t thought about it being the last anything. I read the sign that tells us how many games are left, but I’m worried about the game right now more than that aspect. But it’ll be a sad day when the stadium’s gone. There are a lot of people who have seen a lot of games here.”
Cortez: Remembering Chris Williams’ first return TD
Tiger-Cat returner and receiver Chris Williams was named as the CFL’s Special Teams Player of the Week and Month once again on Thursday, cementing his place as the most dangerous return man in the league.
Cortez was reminded of Williams’ very first collegiate return touchdown in the wake of the Tiger-Cats’ morning workout.
The Ticat coach encountered Williams’ New Mexico State team while serving as Offensive Coordinator at the University of California in 2005, and remembers the return in question very well.
“When I was at Cal, we played New Mexico State on a Thursday night while Hurricane Rita was hitting the Texas coast,” recalled Cortez. “We had a nice drive downfield and (Philadelphia Eagles receiver) DeSean Jackson scored the touchdown and then Chris had the runback for a touchdown.”
“We played them a couple of times. I think (Winnipeg quarterback) Buck Pierce was their quarterback when we played them. Chris told me when we first met that he ran one back against us. He’s a good little player, as he’s proved.”
Cortez: Williams has a “great feel” for the return game
When asked to pinpoint the reasons for Williams’ unprecedented success as a returner this season, Cortez indicated that praise should be spread throughout the return unit.
“The guys in front of him are working hard to create space,” said the coach. “He’s got a great feel for where the seams are, and he’s explosively quick. It’s a big, wide field, and when guys are spread out to cover the field, there’s a long distance between the second-level players.
“Everyone has second level players because they like to have a guy to fill a void. But it’s a big, wide field and sometimes there aren’t enough players to cover it.”
Cortez: Looking to cause more turnovers
Cortez admitted on Thursday that his team is looking to force more turnovers on Monday than it has in past weeks.
“We talked about making plays today, and turnovers are those plays on defence that help you out,” said the coach. “They’re kind of like kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns. Those are the kind of plays that sometimes make the difference in the game.”
While there are certainly technical practices that help players complete a turnover play, Cortez suggested that many steals are simply matters of luck.
“We coach stripping the ball and do all of the interception drills. Sometimes [turnovers] just happen.
“(Calgary lineman) Charleston Hughes had an interception in the game the other day and I’m not sure how he intercepted that ball. He’s a defensive lineman and the ball for all practical purposes just hit him at full speed not five yards away. I’m not sure how he caught the ball, but he did. It was a big play in that game.”
