Fraser Caldwell
Ticats.ca
The Ticats have enlisted some new help in the trenches as they look to reenter the win column this weekend.
The team acquired defensive lineman Torrey Davis in a deal with the Calgary Stampeders a week ago, and added fellow lineman Brandon Peguese from the B.C. Lions on Monday in exchange for future considerations.
Davis has only been with the team for a matter of days, but already has a positive impression of the group that he joins in Hamilton.
“I get the sense that it’s a really good team,” says the ex-Stampeder of his new situation. “It’s really only my fourth day here, but I do see a lot of playmakers and guys who want to be the best, who work hard on and off the field.”
Davis and Peguese arrive to add new dimensions to the Ticats’ defence, and the former believes that he can have a positive influence against the run.
“I think I can help a bit in the running game,” says the new addition of his strengths. “I feel like that’s where I contribute most.”
“I love to run, but I can also help in the passing game as well. I’m light on my feet, so that allows me to move a little bit quicker.”
Head Coach George Cortez weighs in on Peguese, who had been a favourite of the Ticats’ management team for some time before his acquisition.
“He’s very athletic. In his last game, he played on every special teams situation for the Lions,” says Cortez of the ex-Lion.
“I know that he’s a guy that [Ticats Vice President of Football Operations Bob O’Billovich] was very interested in and I think he’s been talking about him since I got here in January. We finally had the opportunity to bring him in and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
With the fresh faces having taken to the practice field on Tuesday, the task now lies with Defensive Coordinator Casey Creehan to assess their place among his group on the line.
“As a coach, you always want to highlight what your players can do,” explains Creehan of his duty. “When you get new players, they might be able to do some things that the last players couldn’t, and vice versa.
“So you’ve always got to try to figure out what those things are and help them as much as possible.”
Preparing fresh faces to slot into a new lineup in the middle of a season is certainly challenging. But Creehan believes that the experience of similarly readying players on short schedules in response to injuries will help him to do the same this time.
“We’ve been in situations this year where we’ve had to get guys ready in a week to play numerous positions,” says the coordinator. “So we’re going to keep doing that in this situation and if Coach decides that he wants them in the lineup, we’ll go from there.”
Cortez indicated that both Davis and Peguese could see action on Saturday if their practice field performances are up to par this week.
“We’re definitely going to give them the opportunity to show us what they can do in practice, and if we feel like they know enough to play, that would be the hope,” remarked the coach.
The two additions could play a part against the Eskimos, but Davis warns fans and media onlookers alike that neither he nor Peguese should be regarded as saviours in the making as the Ticats look to rebound on Saturday.
“The pressure is on everyone, not just one player,” says Davis. “I’m going to try my best, use my technique, and learn the plays as fast as possible, but I don’t think they’re going to put it all on me.”
Hamilton’s coaching staff is certainly doing no such thing.
They simply hope that the two defensive linemen can make their own contributions to an improved team effort against Edmonton and secure a much-needed victory.
