Fraser Caldwell
Ticats.ca
Walker and Cobourne unlikely to feature together
Avon Cobourne’s successful stint in the lineup had reporters once again asking on Wednesday whether the Ticats will attempt to fit both him and rookie sensation Chevon Walker in the same backfield.
Hamilton has played with two American tailbacks on several occasions in recent weeks.
But as Head Coach George Cortez pointed out on Wednesday, those combinations have included Brandon Rutley.
Cortez indicated that Rutley’s unique talents make such pairings more likely.
“It’s hard to say,” said the coach of the possibility of including both Cobourne and Walker. “We’ve had two American tailbacks for the last couple weeks.”
“The skill set of Brandon’s is a little different from the other guys. He got on originally to help with the returns and as a special teams player, but he’s worked himself into an offensive role as well. His role has expanded because he’s done a good job.”
Whether fans will see Cobourne and Walker at once will depend on the roster demands imposed by injuries.
Cortez wouldn’t rule out the combination, but indicated that it was highly unlikely that it would come together.
“We’d have to see,” said the coach. “It would probably depend on the injury situation across the board.”
“I never want to say that it wouldn’t happen, but I don’t foresee it at the moment.”
Ticats continue to dig out of the hole
The Ticats locker room has featured messages discouraging complacency throughout the week.
Cortez reiterated as much on Wednesday in front of the gathered media on hand.
“We won a game and we’re going into a hostile environment and will need to be ready to play,” said the coach.
He was asked to explain the rationale behind the bucket of dirt and shovel that appeared in the locker room a week ago.
Cortez explained that he had seen the shovel while at home and had hoped that it would give players a tangible representation of their mission.
“We talked all week about digging ourselves out of the hole that we were in, and I saw the shovel on the wall in the garage and thought that it might bring a little something to think about,” the coach remarked.
Reporters speculated on whether the team would take the symbol on the road with them this weekend, and Cortez joked that there would be little trouble stowing the simple bucket and shovel.
“It’s enough trouble checking in a briefcase with a computer in it,” the coach said.
“A shovel would probably be easy. No one would have any questions about that.”
Blue Bombers will be “a very desperate team”
Cortez was asked whether his team was wary of a Winnipeg squad that currently occupies the CFL’s basement with a record of 2-9.
The coach confirmed that the dissatisfaction surrounding the Blue Bombers season will make for a hungry group on Friday night.
“I would suspect that they’ll be a very desperate team,” said Cortez of the Bombers.
“I’m sure they’re tired about hearing people talking about what happened in the last game. I read the newspapers and I bet it hasn’t been a fun time to be a Blue Bomber this week.”
