Ticats.ca
Brandon Isaac didn’t have to wait very long or travel very far to get his next CFL opportunity.
On July 23, Isaac, the Argos defensive captain, was surprisingly released by the Double Blue just four games into the 2013 campaign. The Ticats, Toronto’s rivals from just down the QEW, pounced on Isaac just a day later.
The connection between Hamilton defensive coordinator Orlondo Steinauer and Isaac helped facilitate a natural fit in the Hammer. Steinauer was the defensive backs coach with the Argos during their 2012 Grey Cup championship run and Isaac was a starting linebacker on the same defence.
“He’s a phenomenal coach, he knows his x’s and o’s and I feel very comfortable being with him,” Isaac said.
| Letting his play do the talking |
|---|
“I’ve always been a loud guy. I just have to get used to the guys, I don’t want to go blurting off to anybody and make them feel uncomfortable with me. I’m going to let my play speak for itself first and then when I get comfortable, and the guys get to know me, then I will verbally pick my game up.” – LB Brandon Isaac |
“He’ll bring experience,” Steinauer said of the 28-year-old linebacker. “He will bring a bit of a nasty demeanor, just a different intensity to our defence that I don’t believe we had.”
Isaac should immediately provide stability at the strong side linebacker position, a spot where Hamilton has started four different players over the first four games of the season. It appears Isaac could make it five straight with a new name at the SAM backer slot on the depth chart.
“When you have a player that’s been in the league and understands the strong side linebacker position, and we’ve been injury riddled at that position, it’s a no brainer to take a look at him and see if he fits with what we’re trying to get done here,” Steinauer said.
General manager and head coach Kent Austin said he better be ready to play right away.
Even though Isaac might suit up with the Black and Gold without a delay, his tongue will see some downtime as he finds his place in the Ticats locker room.
“I’ve always been a loud guy. I just have to get used to the guys, I don’t want to go blurting off to anybody and make them feel uncomfortable with me,” Isaac explained. “I’m going to let my play speak for itself first and then when I get comfortable, and the guys get to know me, then I will verbally pick my game up.”
Hamilton’s coaching staff is hoping Isaac’s presence can provide a boost to a defence looking to find any kind of consistency.
“We’re still shuffling pieces and we’re still looking to see what the best fit is,” Steinauer said. “We’ve started a different lineup every week, I’m sure I share that with the majority of teams in this football league, that’s just part of the game.”
“We’re just looking to get some continuity and find the right 12 that we’re going to run with as the season goes on.”
Steinauer believes his defence is on the verge of finding sustained success and he’s confident in the game plans he and his defensive staff are capable of putting together.
“We haven’t made enough plays, period. That’s the emphasis right now – when it’s time to make your play, you need to make it,” Steinauer explained. “You can be an x’s and o’s guru, but the bottom line is the players need to make the plays. I definitely think we’re close, but close doesn’t get you anywhere in this business. You have to make it happen.”
One area in particular that shows up glaringly is in the takeaway category. Hamilton sits at the bottom of the CFL, having forced just two turnovers through four games.
“It’s been an emphasis since training camp,” Steinauer said. “I just want the men to get better and we’ll get our fair share.”
Expect the Ticats defence to attack and make more plays on the football any chance they get moving forward and become a more physical unit with Isaac in the fold.
Dunk Dials In
In the front end of the Ticats and Riders home-and-home set, a 37-0 shutout win for Saskatchewan, the game was changed on a pair of Rob Bagg touchdown catches that were allowed way too easily by the Ticats defence.
It was 6-0 Riders in the second quarter with about four minutes left in the half. Darian Durant set up in shotgun, running back Korey Sheets in the backfield with him, three receivers strong and two weak.
Hamilton lined up in a clear cover one look, meaning each defensive back was locked up in man coverage with the safety, Courtney Stephen, free to provide help over the top. The Ticats sent six rushers against six Rider blockers and actually got a man free thanks to a well-executed slant to the strong side. Markeith Knowlton was the unblocked rusher, but Durant had the ball gone about three steps before Knowlton could have hit and sacked him.
As Durant was executing his slide drop, Bagg, the strong side wide out on the play, executed a precise go, fade or nine route (whichever you prefer). Number 6 for the Riders closed the gap between himself and Terrance Parks off the line of scrimmage before getting a free release outside. Parks never laid a hand on Bagg and he was unable to squeeze down the route against the sideline, and it was pretty much over from there. Bagg flew past a flat-footed Parks, worked to get back on the numbers and made a nice catch for a 28-yard score.
Remember how Knowlton was about three steps away from hitting Durant? If Parks had been able to get even a decent jam on Bagg to disrupt his pattern, Durant might have been forced to hold on to the football resulting in a Ticats sack. Or, at the very least, Durant would have had to come off Bag to his next read. Just one example of how missing little fundamentals can result in a big play for the opposition.
Jump to the fourth quarter 23-0 for the Riders with around 13 minutes on the clock. Saskatchewan lines up in the exact same formation as on Bagg’s first touchdown. A ‘3 by 2’ set with Durant in shotgun and Sheets the lone back in the backfield.
The Ticats again show cover one in the secondary. Durant was given lots of time in the pocket. Meanwhile, on the outside again was Bagg lined up on the right hand side of the field across from Matt Bucknor this time around. Bucknor was able to get a hand on Bagg, but the Riders pass catcher did a great job of fighting off the contact, releasing outside, climbing back onto the numbers and at the same time stacking on top of Bucknor to give Durant plenty of room to fit the ball in.
The Riders quarterback let go a beautiful ball and hit Bagg perfectly in stride for a 60-yard touchdown, his second of the game, both on the exact same route.
“We just got beat deep, period,” Steinauer said. “You turn the film on and we didn’t cover. There is nothing more that needs to be said about that.”
Each scoring catch from Bagg was allowed far too easily. In the back end of the home-and-home set, the Ticats must be more physical with the Riders receivers, especially Bagg, near the line of scrimmage.
