Dunk: Another week, another big game for Hamilton

Regular season games don’t get much bigger than Hamilton’s tilt with the Alouettes on Saturday afternoon.

Hamilton had a chance to secure a home playoff date in the first game of their back-to-back set with division rival Montreal last week. However, the Ticats came out on the wrong side of a 36-5 decision. But the Black and Gold can still ensure themselves home field advantage in the first round of playoffs with a win over the Als in Guelph.

Receiver Sam Giguere, who returned to the lineup after missing eight games with a fractured pinky, wants to put the loss in the past by putting forth a much improved effort when the Als come to Alumni Stadium.

“Everybody has that bad taste in their mouth,” he said. “We got our butts whipped last week and we have a chance to go out and get a win this week and turn the page.”

Hamilton’s second year pass catcher was able to put his injury behind him and see game action for the first time since Aug. 16.

“I didn’t feel lost out there,” Giguere explained. “It was more the speed of the game that I had to get adjusted too. Just get the rust off and get back to the speed of how things go in the game.”

No. 11 made three catches for 28 yards in Montreal, proving he has no issue catching the football with his healed finger. And if you noticed, Giguere still looks to be in just as impressive physical shape as he was prior to the injury.

“When my arm was casted up I still got some running in, worked on my speed and did some lower body weights in the gym,” he said. “As far as upper body I wasn’t able to do much, I couldn’t pick up a weight and I still struggle – I can’t pick up a dumbbell.”

Despite not being able to wrap his hands around and lift a weight, Giguere’s finger is healed enough to withstand any punishment it might take on the field. He said his pinky does swell up after practice and games, but it’s nothing too worrisome.

Speaking of worrying, Hamilton hasn’t done much of it in the aftermath of the loss in Montreal. The Tiger-Cats are licking their paws for the chance to turn right around and face the Alouettes again.

“Especially when you play back-to-back you want to let the opponent know that you’re not weak and you’re a tougher team,” linebacker Simoni Lawrence said.

Alouettes quarterback Troy Smith took the bite out of the Hamilton defence in his first CFL start, but Lawrence believes his team can slow down the former Heisman Trophy winner.

“It’s not that Troy Smith came in and we didn’t know what to do with him. He’s a good player and we respect him, but one player is not going to beat a team,” Lawrence said.

“It wasn’t anything new that Montreal did or that we didn’t see on tape or go through in practice, we just didn’t make the plays that we were supposed to make.”

Plain and simple from Lawrence: Hamilton knows what they’re going to see, it’s just a matter of making the play when the opportunity arises. The first year Ticat linebacker is looking forward to getting back on home field in Guelph.

“Our staff does a great job of making everything feel like home. It’s a 35-minute drive to Guelph,” Lawrence explained.

“I just jump in my car and listen to some music. I like the drive it gives you time to think about the game and replay film in your head. The drive up there benefits me.”
What’s playing through the car speakers on Lawrence’s drive up Highway 6?

“I gotta have the same Drake album [Nothing Was the Same] playing all the time.”

Lawrence’s favourite Drake track is ‘The Language’ and the Ticats want to be talking playoff language with a win over Montreal.

Dunk Dials In

It is imperative the Ticats don’t allow Alouettes quarterback Troy Smith to find a rhythm early on Saturday. In Montreal’s 31-point win in the front end of the home-and-home series, Smith hooked up with SJ Green for a 64-yard touchdown to put the Als in flight.

In a scoreless ball game with just over seven minutes left in the first quarter, Montreal called what appeared to be a receiver screen pass to the strong side. Smith took the snap in shotgun and stared at Hamilton cornerback Emanuel Davis. Wide out Duron Carter turned to Smith like he was going to receive a quick throw for a screen pass.

Carter’s movement towards his quarterback and Smith’s pump fake made Davis break down hill towards the young receiver. Meanwhile, Green lined up beside Carter in the strong side slot position, released off the line towards Davis as if he was going to block him. And when Green saw Davis bite he kicked it into high gear.

Carter’s screen sell, Green’s blocking release and Smith’s pump fake all added up to an easy looking scoring play for the Alouettes to put them up 7-0. A lead Montreal would never relinquish.

Hamilton cannot afford to allow Smith to hit them over the top early and get into a comfort zone on Saturday. The Ticats must pounce on Smith and scratch at him all game long if the Tabbies want to play at their home lair in the post-season.

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