Kyle Myers
Ticats.ca
It has been nearly a week since the Hamilton Tiger-Cats took the field at the Rogers Centre in the regular season opener, and the team is now looking forward to their next challenge: the Guelph home opener against the Edmonton Eskimos.
Though they play in different divisions, the Ticats and Eskimos know each other well, if only because the two teams have made several transactions with each other recently. The Tiger-Cats roster contains an abundance of players who were Eskimos within the past three seasons, and so there will be plenty of ex-teammates facing off at Alumni Stadium on Sunday.
Two of the players acquired by trade this offseason are Greg Wojt and Simoni Lawrence, and both should play a role in this Sunday’s game.
Wojt, an offensive lineman, spent the past three seasons with the Eskimos as a starter, while Lawrence spent his rookie year at linebacker in Edmonton before the trade. Both spent the entire 2012 season practicing against many of the players who will suit up for the Eskimos on Sunday, and they believe that could be an advantage for the Ticats on the field.
“There’s some guys I’ve been going against for a couple of years now (on the Eskimos this season), I’m definitely the one in meetings to give the scouting report about certain players’ strengths and weaknesses,” said Wojt.
The Polish-born non-import believes that despite the Eskimos’ 0–1 record, their defence is not to be underestimated.
“They have a solid front seven, a great defensive line and strong linebackers,” he said. “We need to focus on our responsibilities and our assignments to have success.”
On the other side of the ball, Lawrence is an aggressive linebacker who certainly isn’t afraid to make his presence known on the field – whether with a big hit, or the loud, frequent chants he’s known for both in practices and in games.
“The guys love it when I do my chants,” Lawrence laughed. “Our job can be really stressful if you let it, so when you have personality, you have to let it shine through. Everybody plays football better when they’re relaxed.”
As the two were dealt by the Eskimos in the offseason, some resentful feelings towards their old team would be understandable. However, both were quick to downplay the significance of the matchup against their former employers, insisting that each game is just as important as another.
“Getting traded is part of the game,” said Lawrence. “As long as I’m playing I’m not worried about who I’m playing for or who I’m playing against. (The Eskimos) know how I play, they’re the ones who have to deal with me.”
With the Eskimos and the Tiger-Cats heading into the matchup at 0–1, both teams will be eager to earn their first victory of the 2013 season on Sunday. Despite Edmonton’s struggles in week one, Wojt has no doubt that they’ll come into Guelph hungry and motivated.
“(Kavis Reed) definitely gets the guys ready,” he said. “I expect them to be fired up to prove themselves.”
Expect the Ticats to be equally motivated when they make their regular season debut at Alumni Stadium on Sunday.
