Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca
It’s easy to say, but not easy to do, especially against a high-flying Alouettes pass rush.
Hamilton’s offensive line must protect starter Henry Burris, Dan LeFevour and Jeremiah Masoli or whoever happens to be behind centre in Sunday’s Eastern Semi-Final.
The Ticats allowed 65 sacks during the regular season. Montreal recorded 12 of those in three games against Hamilton. A couple of healthy offensive tackles should help up shore up any holes in the trenches.
Brian Simmons and Joel Figueroa got a tune up as the Ticats bookend pass protectors when the team played the Bombers to end the regular season. The two towering tackles started seven games together, but the pair missed a combined total of 16 games during the regular season. Both are now healthy and Simmons returned to game action against the Blue Bombers.
“Going into that game, I will admit, I wasn’t sure how I would do,” Simmons explained. “I’m really glad I played in that game because it helped with my timing in my pass sets and getting my brain back to game speed as far as the pressure and physicality.”
| Eastern Semi-Final Playoff Centre |
|---|
The 2013 Eastern Semi-Final matchup is set as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Montreal Alouettes. Here is everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s game. |
Simmons returned to the Ticats lineup one week after Figueroa did.
“It was very good for me because Winnipeg actually unfolded some new wrinkles that you normally don’t see from them,” Simmons said. “They blitzed more than usual. I saw a little bit more five-man pressure which is what I’m basically going to see from Montreal.”
“Coming off a game like that and playing Montreal, if I hadn’t played, would be really confusing and hectic.”
It will be critical for the offensive line group to be on the same page in all of the protections to help provide that extra half-second for the quarterback. Montreal blitzes more than any other team in the Canadian Football League. Like the offensive line, Greg Ellingson and his fellow receivers will have to be able to recognize the Montreal blitz and adapt accordingly.
Ellingson missed the final six regular season games after suffering a lower body injury against the Alouettes in Week 13. The same team he will return to face on Sunday in the opening round of the CFL playoffs.
It turns out Ellingson was supposed to make his comeback, like Simmons, in the final week of the regular season. But he suffered a minor setback and sat out as a precautionary measure.
“I practiced at full speed and took all the reps. They’re not holding me back and I am able to go out there and do what I was doing before the injury, that is what really matters,” Ellingson said of his preparation leading up to the Eastern Semi-Final.
At the time of his injury, Ellingson was leading the Ticats in receiving and had become a sure-handed target for Burris to rely on. In 12 games he recorded 52 catches for 800 yards and six touchdowns, quickly building a rapport with Hank. If he played the full season the first year CFLer would’ve easily gone over the 1,000-yard mark. Despite being sidelined for over a month and a half, Ellingson feels his connection with Burris is still strong.
“I feel like something like that really doesn’t change too much,” he said. “It just sticks, so coming back it seems the same.” 
All of the Ticats offence must be seeing the Montreal defence clearly and be ready to handle the various Alouettes blitz packages. It is imperative for everyone wearing Black and Gold on Sunday to make the same reads on the fly.
“We know when it’s coming. It’s just a matter of making the right reads and corrections and getting the ball out on time,” Ellingson said. “We’re making sure we’re putting the time in and going over the small things so when they bring the house and we have man coverage, we must take advantage.”
Trust will be a key component for the way Hamilton will handle the Montreal pressure.
“Hank trusts that we’re going to see it and we trust that he is going to see it,” Ellingson said. “It’s not something that we alert, it’s built in and when you see the blitz come you have to make the adjustment.”
Winning on first down can help the Ticats stay out of second and long situations where the Alouettes defence likes to throw all different types of blitz looks at opposing offences.
“That’s the biggest thing because when their defence gets you in second and long, they’re going to empty the kitchen sink all over you,” Burris said. “First down efficiency is so huge in this game. We can dictate the game if we win first down.”
It will be an interesting chess match to see if the Tiger-Cats can slow down the Alouettes by recognizing, executing and burning the blitz when it comes. Or if Montreal is able to disguise their pressure and get a free rusher to the passer or ball carrier. But the Ticats aren’t going to just sit back and let the Alouettes throw punches at them all game long and always be on the defensive.
“You can’t wait for the fight,” Simmons said. “You have to bring the fight to them.”
