CFL.ca
Well, we know one thing for sure about the 2013 Tiger-Cats, they can beat the Blue Bombers.
Hamilton handed Winnipeg a 37-14 defeat and improved to 3-0 to extend their winning streak to three on a glorious day at Alumni Stadium in Guelph.
Over the last three games, the Ticats have finally shown the type of all around effort many expected from the team when Kent Austin was brought in as head coach and general manager.
Henry Burris slinging passes to a bevy of different targets, CJ Gable becoming a consistent threat in the run game, defence playing fast and making plays on the football and Hamilton’s special teams have improved steadily since the beginning of the year.
On offence the Tabbies continue to find and use players in creative ways, like Dan LeFevour, who has made enough plays to earn a consistent role in the offensive game plan.
“A lot of playmaking,” Austin said of what the second year CFL pivot brings to the table. “The guy is a good football player and we’re trying to find different ways to utilize him.”
LeFevour has shown he has the ability to be a dual threat quarterback in the league and on Saturday he flashed the potential to be a receiver, too. He hauled in a throwback pass from Onrea Jones – we’ll break the trick play down in detail below when we get to ‘Dunk Dials In’ – and found his way into the end zone from 29 yards out.
Lefevour was 3-3 for 22 yards passing, had five carries for 21 yards to add to his touchdown reception in the victory.
The emergence of Lefevour doesn’t bother Hamilton’s unquestioned veteran starting quarterback.
“It’s all good. It’s part of what has made us successful in the past few games,” Burris said of his young understudy.
“It was good to see Dan go out there and make some good things happen. He got us that first drive touchdown on the throwback. He’s doing his thing out there.”
“It’s a good changeup when defences have to prepare even more for when Dan comes out and they have to prepare for the razzle dazzle and a much different package than what I am running. I’m fine with it, we’re having success with it and it makes it more difficult for defences to prepare for us.”
LeFevour has carved out his own niche on the Ticats offence, just like rookie Tavoy Moore would like to do.
Moore made his CFL debut against the Bombers and displayed the talent, if he continues to improve, to develop into a rare triple threat player rushing, receiving and returning. Although, Moore’s conditioning must first improve.
“When he gets in shape he has a multiple skill set, he can do a lot of things,” Austin said of the 5-foot-6, 196-pound speedster.
The Idaho State product had 10 total touches for 124 total yards in his first CFL game. Moore’s most impressive play came on a wheel, or out and up, route out of the backfield. He beat linebacker Ian Wild easily and caught a pass from Burris in stride for a 35-yard gain.
“He did a great job out there. Of course it was his first game action, so he’s still in pre-season mode and he’s going to have to work to get in shape,” Burris said.
“But it’s good to see the kid get out there and do some good things. A lot has been asked of him and I thought he responded well in his first outing.”
Moore adds another weapon to a Hamilton offence that is stacked with young playmakers: LeFevour, Gable, Jones, Andy Fantuz, Sam Giguere, Bakari Grant and Greg Ellingson.
A deep list of options for Austin to draw up schemes for, which doesn’t include Lindsey Lamar and Ed Gant who are both injured. 
It looks and feels as though Austin’s plan is starting to take shape like many envisioned upon his high profile hiring.
Dunk Dials In
On the Ticats opening drive against the Blue Bombers, Kent Austin reached into his bag of tricks.
Austin inserted LeFevour into the game on a first and 10 play from the Winnipeg 29-yard line. Number 13 took a shotgun snap and handed it off to Jones, who was coming in motion from left to right, on what appeared to be an end around sweep.
Key word is ‘appeared’ to be because the Ticats offensive line and Jones sold the play so well. The entire Bombers defence played as though it was a run and flowed towards Jones in hopes of bringing him to the ground.
Credit LeFevour with a good fake as well. After he gave the ball to Jones he didn’t sprint to his pass route right away. He made it look like a normal zone read handoff to the ball carrier and he didn’t make his way up the field until Winnipeg defensive end Alex Hall turned his head and eyes away from him. LeFevour’s sell gave him plenty of green space.
Meanwhile, Jones was pulling up for the throwback. He threw an accurate ball to LeFevour who put his open field running ability on full display, making a couple of moves before spinning into the end zone.
Patience from LeFevour carrying out his run fake, not sprinting too early, plus the offensive line hauling tail to the strong side to sell sweep and Jones’ accurate throw were the three main reasons why the Ticats were able to execute the exciting quarterback throwback trick play.
