TigerTown Notebook – September 25

Fraser Caldwell
Ticats.ca

Cortez: Players “attentive but relaxed”

Ticats Head Coach George Cortez confirmed on Tuesday that his players remain upbeat and focused on the task of improving.

Cortez had encouraged the players to enjoy their training tasks on Monday, and was pleased to report a day later that said enthusiasm carried over into the meeting room.

“What we do is not completely on the field,” said the coach. “We spend a lot of time in the meeting room as well.”

“The atmosphere in the meetings – the ones that I’ve been in – has been attentive but relaxed.”

Cortez: Cobourne excels in protection

The coach was once again asked to address the state of his talented backfield on Tuesday.

Cortez stopped to compliment the strength of veteran Avon Cobourne as a pass protector, a duty that many backs find difficult when they enter the professional ranks.

“They’re both good players,” said the coach of his rushers.

“I think that one of Avon’s strong points is that he’s a very good protector. He understands protection and he understands the whole idea when we talk about chipping what we want him to do and how we want him to go about it.”

“That’s a hard thing for players who haven’t had to do a lot of protection – the guys who came into the league without having to protect much. It’s a huge leap for them to get to that ability and he does a very good job of it.”

Burris: Ticats are aware of Alouettes pressure

The Alouettes have demonstrated their physicality on defence this season, and Ticat quarterback Henry Burris indicated that he and his teammates will have to play with their heads on a swivel on Friday.

A large part of that effort will involve identifying Montreal’s pressure if and when it comes.

“These guys play with reckless abandon,” said Burris of the Alouettes defenders.

“They bring so many different blitzes. We’re going to have to be keyed in for what type of rushes they’re bringing and where they’re coming from and be able to pick it up in protection.”

Backing Montreal away from that aggressive approach will demand that Hamilton establish the running game to keep the Alouettes eager linebackers honest.

“We’re going to have to create holes with the running game,” confirmed Burris. “With a linebacker like Shea Emry or (Kenny) Ingram, with their athletic ability it’s tough to find holes.”

“You’ve got to mix it up. That’s just the state of the league. There are some great defences and Montreal fits right in there. There’s a reason why they have one of the best records in the league.”

Burris: Players are looking forward

Burris was impressed with the morale among the Ticats on Tuesday, and indicated that players are using any frustrations they feel as positive motivation.

“It’s good to see that the guys are out here working hard and showing the drive to get better instead of focusing on stuff that happened in the past,” said the quarterback.

“To take those frustrations and turn them into focused, positive energy is what’s happening here.”

“That’s the stuff that champions do. I’ve been on teams that I’ve won Grey Cups with that have been through situations like this.”