Kyle Myers
Ticats.ca
“Winning takes care of everything.”
The oft-spoken cliché often holds true in the world of sports – Canadian Football included. But it isn’t easy, and before you can win, there are things you must take care of.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats defence has certainly taken care of their share of business during the team’s current three game win streak. Interceptions are up, points against and yards allowed are down, and the Ticats are in the midst of their most successful stretch of the 2013 season.
Particularly impressive was Hamilton’s effort in their most recent victory, a 37–14 drubbing of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers which brought the ‘Cats season record to an even 4–4. Buck Pierce, Justin Goltz, and Max Hall combined to go 18-for-32 for the Bombers, a 56% completion rate resulting in only 141 yards of passing yards on the afternoon, not to mention the two interceptions and two sacks forced by the Hamilton defence.
“We’re doing a good job, especially the last couple weeks,” said Ticats Head Coach Kent Austin on his defence’s effort during their winning streak. “We’re going to need to continue to do that to have a chance.”
At the heart of Hamilton’s defensive success on their current run has been the play of the front four, who are getting consistent pressure downfield, forcing the quarterback to make errant throws and stopping the run in the backfield.
“Not only is it guys learning the system and learning their roles, but the coaches are really finding the right guys that mesh well together,” said defensive end Brandon Boudreaux, who recorded both of the Ticats’ sacks in Saturday’s win.
“It’s cliché to say, but we’re building chemistry. I know what Torrey (Davis) does well, and (Brian) Bulcke and (Eric) Norwood on the other side are getting that same feel.”
The Tiger-Cats started the same four defensive linemen two games in a row for the first time all season in their back-to-back set against the Bombers, and the result has been increased cohesion between the linemen.
In fact, the only thing that hasn’t really been there for the Cats defence this season are sacks. But Austin was quick to dispel any notion that low sack totals were a reflection on the effectiveness of his defence.
“Sacks aren’t important, hurries are,” he said. “Sacks are what everybody looks at, but if you’re hurrying the quarterback, making him throw in a crowd, making him throw before he’s able to read the defence completely and go through his progressions, then you’ve effectively accomplished the same thing.”
That sentiment was echoed by Torrey Davis, who has made life uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks in all three games he’s played this season.
“That’s every lineman’s dream to get a sack and be able to do that dance,” said Davis on Monday, a huge grin on his face at the mere thought of bringing the quarterback to the ground.
“But that’s not really your primary job as a defensive lineman,” he continued. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to accumulate a sack, but even pressure is good. If you can go in there and get pressure, knock the quarterback down make him throw a pick, a team would prefer that everyday over a sack.”
What is obvious about the Tiger-Cats defence is that they are really, truly enjoying playing football right now. After Jamall Johnson’s interception in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s win, a group of Ticats defenders joined together at midfield for a celebration, and it was hard to find a man in black and gold on the sidelines without a smile on his face.
“It’s a great atmosphere, it’s actually fun to come to work and be around your teammates and coaches,” said Davis of the team’s morale. “Me personally, I don’t see this as a job. It’s always fun to me… and I think a lot of my teammates see it the same way. I’m loving it.”
Amazing just how much winning can do.
