Fraser Caldwell
Ticats.ca
Ticats are unconcerned with Argos changes
It appears unlikely that Ricky Ray will take the field against the Ticats on Thursday. The banged-up Ray could be one of several Argos rested in a game that can do nothing to change Toronto’s position as host of the East semifinal.
But Hamilton Head Coach George Cortez refused to concern himself on Tuesday with the potential changes to Toronto’s game day lineup. He indicated that his focus – and that of his players – remains on the Ticats own efforts.
“You guys may know it for sure,” said Cortez of Ray’s status for Thursday’s game. “When he’s not out on the field, we’ll know it for sure.”
“But as I told the players, we don’t care who’s playing or not playing. We are concerned about how we play. We want to play our way regardless of who we’re playing.
“We could be playing the ‘’97 Argos defence, it doesn’t matter to me. That might be the best defence that’s ever been in this league.”
Cortez argued that the only reason to watch for lineup changes on his opponents’ part is for the purpose of setting matchups and protections. But that duty is not limited to the Argos or to this contest.
“I’m not into worrying about who’s playing,” said the coach.
“There’s wonder about it because – like every team – you I.D. numbers sometimes for certain things like protections and sets, and if it’s suddenly not the guy who normally plays there, you have to make sure everyone’s on the same page.”
“But that happens in every game because of injuries.”
Injury updates on Bakari Grant and Jamall Johnson
Cortez updated the gathered media on Tuesday on the status of receiver Bakari Grant – who was the victim of a massive hit a week ago – and linebacker Jamall Johnson.
Both players are progressing in their return to full strength, but their role in Thursday’s game remains undetermined at this point.
“He took a pretty good blow in the game,” said Cortez of Grant. “He’s been much better every day, so hopefully he’ll be good for the game.”
“[Johnson] was campaigning last week on Friday night to play. But we’ll see how he moved around today. He’s got a little exercise with the medical staff when we get back (to Ivor Wynne) to help make a judgment. We’ll see.”
Onrea Jones is “a very good skill player”
The coach had praise on Tuesday for rookie receiver and returner Onrea Jones, who averages 29.4 kick return yards on 18 attempts.
“He’s been very good,” said Cortez of Jones. “He’s obviously has carried a 29-yard kickoff return average, which is by far the best in the league. He doesn’t have as many returns, because we’ve used a number of guys back there.
“I think he’s had 30-something catches when he’s played, so he’s played very well.”
“He’s a solid football player. He’s a good student of the game, and he’s probably a little shiftier than most people think. He almost took a punt back last week and he’s almost taken a kickoff back. He’s a very good skill player.”
