We need to win this football game to continue to be a player in the post-season hunt and we understand that we are still in control of our destiny. When you look big picture, this is a vitally important game.”
-Edmonton Head Coach Kavis Reed explains the importance of tonight’s matchup. Hamilton Spectator
“My role will be more of a leadership role. I am prepared to make certain that we guide and direct the offence in terms of our play calling. I will communicate with Marcus prior to plays, probably two or three plays ahead and Marcus will communicate with the quarterbacks.”
-Reed describes the logistics of his enlarged role as Offensive Coordinator. Hamilton Spectator
“Any time you have young guys, first time in the CFL adjusting to this type of weather, they’re going to struggle. It takes some getting used to, being hit in this cold weather. Defensively we love it.”
-Ticat linebacker Rey Williams is a fan of the colder weather the two teams will enjoy at Commonwealth Stadium tonight. Hamilton Spectator
“This will be true test for where we are at as a team right now. If we want to be in the show, we have to prove that we deserve to be in the show. These are the games that help us prove just that.”
-Ticat quarterback Henry Burris argues that tonight will be a test of the team’s playoff credentials. Hamilton Spectator
“When you win, it gives you confidence. We’re in a mode where we know that if we win each week, we control our destiny and that’s what we’re looking to do.”
-Ticats Head Coach George Cortez wants to keep his team’s destiny in its own hands by winning tonight. Hamilton Spectator
“As long as we hit our spots, Hank’s going to get us the ball and we’ll be able to make plays. You’ve seen how explosive we can be over the last few weeks, and we’re going to try to keep it going.”
-Ticat receiver Dave Stala is confident of the result if he and his teammates can fulfill their assignments tonight. Ticats.ca
“You have to keep a level head and stay positive throughout the bad times and the good. When things are going rough on the field, you’ve got to get guys making plays and looking at the good things we’ve done and building on them, duplicating them.”
-Ticat linebacker Jamall Johnson explains how his team can maintain its high level of play in Edmonton. Ticats.ca
“Going into any week on the defence – as a whole unit – you want to shut down the run and make a team one-dimensional. They’ve got three really good running backs on their roster. We’ve got to be ready to play with our big boy pads on and play with some attitude and smack them around a little bit.”
-Johnson indicates that shutting down Edmonton’s running game will be a priority for Hamilton tonight. Ticats.ca
“People don’t see that, but it plays a major role in how a game can be called for a coordinator, because of the abilities of a player and what they can do within the scheme. Being able to go out with some continuity this week is a great positive for us.”
-Johnson believes that continuity in the Ticats lineup will benefit the team against the Eskimos. Ticats.ca http://www.ticats.ca/article/pivotal-game-on-tap-at-commonwealth-as-ticats-travel-to-edmonton
“When you know you’re capable (of winning), you know you can get yourself out. And that’s what we’ve known all along — is that we can get out of this and we’re starting to do that. We’re starting to climb out of it and, hopefully, we’ll keep it going.”
-Ticat defensive lineman Greg Peach reflects on his team’s close losses and the lesson learned from them. Edmonton Journal
“They’re kind of in the … same situation that we’ve been in at points (of the season). You have one side working on all cylinders and when they’ve won games, just from watching film and watching on TV, it’s when they put everything together. That’s what it takes. You have to, as a team, collectively, you have to do your part to win games.”
-Peach compares the Eskimos current slide to that experienced by the Ticats earlier this season. Edmonton Journal
“Man, every game is important but we put ourselves in this hole. Right now every game is a playoff game. Every game from now on is going to be a must win. It’s simple. We can’t lose another game.”
-Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive lineman Jermaine McElveen believes every game is a must win if the team wants to make the playoffs. Toronto Sun
“We understand the possiblity of the fourth-place team crossing over. Right now Edmonton and we have the same record. For both teams it puts a lot of value in winning this game.”
-Ticat Linebacker Ricardo Colclough knows the importance of beating the team that has the possibility of crossing over to steal a playoff spot. Toronto Sun
“We control our own destiny, knowing we have five games left and if we win out, we will be in the (playoffs). We still have a chance to be second in the East. Winning this game is the most important thing.”
-Henry Burris on the fact that the Ticats still control their own playoff destiny. Toronto Sun.
“By now, I feel like nobody’s a rookie. We’re halfway through the season. Just being behind a great linebacker like J.C., you learn a lot. He’s such a good player/friend, he will make sure I’m not making any mistakes.
– Edmonton rookie linebacker Simoni Lawrence on replacing the leagues leading tackler J.C. Sherritt. Edmonton Sun
“As a receiver you’re never satisfied to just be out there, you always want to be making plays and scoring touchdowns. If you’re a receiver in this league and you don’t want the ball, you shouldn’t be playing.”
-Veteran receiver Dave Stala on the desire it takes to be a CFL receiver. National Post
“We’ve got to hold ourselves accountable as an offence to help the defence out. They’ve done a tremendous job this whole season, stopping the opponents.
-Eskimo tailback Hugh Charles priases the Edmonton defence. Edmonton Journal
