Kyle Myers
Ticats.ca
Gameday is finally here.
Tonight in Montreal, the Tiger-Cats will take the field for their first pre-season game of the 2013 season.
Head Coach Kent Austin used much of a shortened final practice on Tuesday illustrating his thorough expectations for the team at game time, down to the timing and placement of each position group’s entrance to the field during warm-ups. He also gave the majority of reps during practice to those individuals still battling for roster spots.
With plenty of players still on the roster, Austin will use the first game largely as yet another evaluation opportunity; electing to rest some veterans. Starting quarterback Henry Burris will not play, and others like Andy Fantuz, Evan McCollough, Marwan Hage, and James Patrick will not be dressing for the Ticats either.
“We feel good about some of our guys and there’s only so many reps, so many quarters,” said Austin. “We need to see some other guys perform, it’s all about the evaluation process.”
In Burris’ stead, Dan LeFevour will receive the start at quarterback, and one of the positional battles to watch will be for the back-up role. Brian Brohm, Jeremiah Masoli, and Chris Amrhein will also receive their share of reps in Thursday’s game, and the four will be competing for the final two quarterback spots on the roster.
The first pre-season game offers Austin the best diagnostic tool for the players battling for a position in camp: a look at how these players perform in a real CFL game.
“You can’t simulate game situations in practice,” he said. “Even in live periods or a controlled scrimmage, you can’t simulate what goes on in a real football game.”
Though Austin is certainly not fielding his number one squad Thursday, and has stated that the game will be used as an evaluation tool, he was certain to emphasize just what he expected from his team on the field in Montreal.
“We expect our guys to go out there and play to win. Winning is always important.”
The Tiger-Cats first preseason game will be broadcast via radio on AM 900 CHML and television on RDS at 7 p.m.
