“The situation that we’re in, we need to take full advantage of it. With the things happening in Toronto, the fact that Edmonton wasn’t able to get a victory last week – we’re still in this thing.”
-Ticat quarterback Henry Burris points out that Hamilton remains in the playoff hunt. Hamilton Spectator
“As I get older, I do appreciate things a lot more. When you think about the history of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, it’s one of those happy-sad endings. I’m definitely concentrating on the game but it has crossed my mind what this city did for me in my three years here.”
-Alouette quarterback Anthony Calvillo reflects on his time as a Tiger-Cat. Hamilton Spectator
“The name of the game against Montreal is always disrupting the timing of the passing routes because they are a precision, timing offence. Everything is off a count and a certain step number. Defending those guys, you have to disrupt the timing between Calvillo and his receivers.”
-Hamilton Defensive Coordinator Casey Creehan explains the necessity of disrupting Calvillo’s timing under centre. Hamilton Spectator
“Those years, when I didn’t throw as many, I should have. But guys dropped them. This year, guys have caught them. When I go through my evaluation, I determine whether I’m going through my reads and whether I’m throwing to the right guy. I am, so I’m not too worried.”
Calvillo dismisses any concern about his nine interceptions this season. Montreal Gazette
“Short weeks are part of the CFL. I think the players have moved forward and had plenty of time to rest. But they have to be accountable for building their own energy.”
-Montreal Head Coach Marc Trestman believes his players will be ready to play despite their shortened week. Montreal Gazette
“They have the ability to score points and a returner who can change the game at a moment’s notice. Their record means nothing. Our guys will need a tremendous amount of energy to match the surge of a team that has its backs against the wall.”
-Trestman is wary of the Ticats explosive offensive weapons. Montreal Gazette
“We’re still in this thing, and it’s time for us to change our frame of mind. Who cares about mistakes? We’ve made enough. Let’s go out there and play to have fun and do what it takes to win.”
-Burris explains that his team is throwing caution to the wind as it hunts for a win. Ticats.ca
“I like the way that our practices went this week. There was a lot of energy, great execution and a lot of great competition going on. That’s what we need to make ourselves better.”
-Burris was impressed by his team’s efforts in training this week. Ticats.ca
“The only “must win” games are the ones in the playoffs or the ones you have to win to get there. It’s an important game and we’d never make light of the fact that it’s an important game. I think there is a sense of urgency. I certainly expect us to play with one.”
-Ticat Head Coach George Cortez insists that tonight’s game has not yet entered the category of “must win”. Ticats.ca
“It’s a nice problem. Probably – if we’re able to keep the ratio what it is right now – it will evolve quite a bit as time goes along. There’s a small package of stuff where they would both be on the field, but it’ll evolve as time goes along.”
-Cortez addresses the challenge of fitting both Avon Cobourne and Chevon Walker into his plans. Ticats.ca
“I know that I’ve worked with and for a lot of people, and you tend to get more work done when you’re focused on the work and not worrying about whether you’re going to be hollered at all the time.”
-Cortez explains the reasoning behind his suggestion that his players should enjoy themselves more. Ticats.ca
“There are too many things you need to focus on to do your job right that you can’t afford to misallocate your energy to other focuses. You want 100 per cent of your focus to be on your task and what you’re trying to do. If you’re even one per cent focused on what happens if you miss or what if it’s returned to the house, you’re focusing on the wrong thing.”
-Ticat kicker Luca Congi won’t preoccupy himself with Alouette returner Trent Guy tonight. Canadian Press
“This team has a great mindset of when somebody goes down, it’s an opportunity for the next guy so we try to turn it into a psychological positive. Brandon Whitaker is a difference-maker. He’s an elite player. But I think our team will capture the moment.”
-Montreal head coach Mark Trestman believes his team is strong enough to survive without Brandon Whitaker at tailback. The Toronto Star
“He’s a veteran guy, so he understands that it’s about what you do on every kick. No matter if you’re having a good year or bad year – whether you’ve hit 10 in a row or you’ve missed one – you have to look forward to the next one.”
-Ticats legend Paul Osbaldiston on Luca Congi and how his mentailty and experience comes in handy when attempting every kick. Ticats.ca
“You start to appreciate everything more from day to day, because you understand how quickly the game can be taken away from you.”
-Ticats kicker Luca Congi doesnt take anything for granted after spending a year away from football due to injury. Ticats.ca
“I know we’re capable of winning there, because we have,”
-Monreal Alouettes head coach Marc on playing at Ivor Wynne. The Montreal Gazette
“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.”
-George Cortez talks about what makes Avon Cobourne such an important piece of the offensive game. Ticats.ca
“They must focus and do their best. I can’t ask more of them,” Trestman said. “It’s not easy. There’s only so much we can do. The players have to do it on their own because they want to — not because we’re making them.
-Marc Trestman hopes his team is ready and willing to go at it on Friday despite the short week. The Montreal Gazette
“It’s just us not making plays [at crucial times]. We’re in position, but we miss a block, drop a pass, run the wrong way here or don’t make the right cut there and we’re in a down and distance where we’re behind the chains. And it hurts us.”
-Ticats Veteran Tailback Avon Cobourne sees the teams mistakes as something that can be corrected heading forward. CFL.ca
