Kyle Myers
Ticats.ca
Sunday’s Eastern Semi-Final against the Montreal Alouettes will be, by its very definition, the most important game that the Tiger-Cats have played this season.
Just don’t expect them to treat it as such.
In their preparation for Montreal, who they’re facing for the third time in four weeks, the Ticats aren’t messing with success, and are treating Sunday’s game as if it was any of the other 18 they’ve played to get to this point.
“It all boils down to preparation,” said quarterback Henry Burris, who will take the field for his 14th postseason game on Sunday. “We know they’re going to throw some new things in, some new wrinkles, but the bottom line is after the emotion of those first few drives fades away, it’s all about executing.”
At the other end of the player spectrum from the veteran pivot are the numerous Tiger-Cats, rookies or otherwise, who have never seen a CFL playoff game, much less played in one.
Defensive back Delvin Breaux is one of those rookies, and is returning from an injury which kept him sidelined for over a month, forcing him to watch his teammates do battle without him.
“It was tough on me,” said Breaux. “I was just trying to do my best in the weight room, in treatment, trying to get myself back for the playoffs.”
Breaux had become all-too accustomed to watching rather than playing before joining the Tiger-Cats. Kept out of football for seven years due to a neck-injury which nearly ended not only his career, but his life. It was that journey, that triumph over unspeakable odds, that made the Louisiana native scoff at the suggestion that he would be in any way apprehensive when he returns to the field on Sunday.
“Man, this is what we’re supposed to do,” he said. “This is our job. I have all the confidence in the world in my game. Sitting out these few weeks I’ve been perfecting my craft, and I’m just looking forward to getting back on the field.”
Also returning to action for the Ticats is fellow rookie Greg Ellingson, who after a stellar first half of the season has been forced to miss the past six games with a leg injury.
“I feel great,” said Ellingson, who led all rookies with 800 receiving yards. “I’ve had a lot of time to get my legs back under me, I just had to wait on my leg to heal a little bit, and now that that’s good, I’m set.”
“I stayed in it mentally,” he continued, “watching the film, acting as if I was going to be out there, watching the guy in my place and visualizing myself taking those reps.”
As rookies, Ellingson and Breaux looked to their elders – players like Burris and Jamall Johnson – for advice on how to prepare for what will be the biggest game of their young professional careers.
“JJ’s a vet, he shows his leadership in the locker room and on the field,” said Breaux. “He just told us to stay level-headed, to not let all the distractions get into your head. Just stay focused on what you need to focus on and play ball.”
That’s the mantra that’s been repeated by Head Coach Kent Austin all season long. One week at a time, one game at a time. Nothing else matters.
“Cut out all the outside distractions,” said Austin. “Focus on the pieces of the puzzle that will allow you to play well. Your preparation, your emotions, your effort, your mental discipline… all those things that are under your control.”
