Adam Gagnon
There are a couple Ticats that know Ricky Ray especially well.
Hamilton linebacker Brandon Isaac and defensive back Evan McCollough spent lots of time lining up against Ray in practice during their time in Toronto. Each defender has intimate knowledge of exactly what the Argos veteran quarterback does on the field. Isaac believes Ray’s quarterbacking style is all about timing and rhythm.
“He takes his drop back and on his last step he’s ready to deliver the ball,” said No. 23, who was released by the Argos on July 23 then was picked up one day later and found a new home just down the QEW in the Hammer.
| Eastern Final Playoff Centre |
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The 2013 Eastern Final matchup is set as the Toronto Argonauts host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Here is everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s game. |
“You have to takeaway his check down. He has phenomenal touch on the deep ball, but when the deep ball isn’t there he comes to his check down right now. So if you’re able to takeaway his check down, it puts indecision in his mind.”
A split-second of uncertainty by Ray could be the difference in the Ticats pass rush getting to the quarterback.
Hamilton faced Ray in two games during the regular season, winning one and losing one. In the opening game of the year there was barely a Tiger-Cat who got close enough to even sniff Ray. He completed 24 of 34 passes for 368 yards and four touchdown strikes in a 39-34 Argonauts victory. The Argos pivot wasn’t intercepted or sacked in Toronto’s season-opening win. Ray sat out the Battle of Ontario meeting on October 4, with a shoulder injury, but made his return to the lineup 10 days later.
It was a much-improved effort from the Ticats defence in the third and final matchup of the regular schedule. Hamilton held Ray and the Argos to just 18 points in a six-point win on October 14. Ray did not slice and dice the Ticats secondary like he did in Week 1. He was picked off once, sacked twice and had to deal with constant pressure. One of the reasons Hamilton had success against Ray just over a month ago was because his timing was disrupted. A formula the Black and Gold are looking to duplicate in the Eastern Final.
“We have to come out fast, flying around and confuse them with our alignment. And we have to be able make him uncomfortable in the pocket and get him on the ground,” Isaac said. “Once he’s comfortable in the pocket he is able to make a lot of plays. So hopefully we can get to him early, rattle him and knock off his timing.”
One would guess McCollough might agree with Isaac on his thoughts about how to best defend Ray, but he elected to keep it to himself.
“It gives me an edge, but I won’t speak on what I know. There are some keys that I know about Ricky that I will definitely keep to myself,” McCollough explained. “I can’t let those secrets out.” 
McCollough’s silence should come as no surprise. Knowledge is power, especially with so much riding on the Eastern Final. Keeping his own, and the Ticats, game plan, as quiet as possible is a good decision. Although, the Ticats certainly hope they can force Ray to make some poor ones inside the Rogers Centre on Sunday.
Ticats Smart to Close Practice
It is defined within the Canadian Football League rules that all teams are allowed to close off one practice per week in the playoffs from media, fans and whoever else might wonder in to catch a glimpse. Hamilton took advantage of that very rule in preparation for the Eastern Final.
Head coach and general manager Kent Austin decided to lock-down Hamilton’s Friday practice and it should be a total non-issue. After all, it is a stipulated rule and well-known right across the league. So the Ticats are well within their rights. And with all that is on the line on Sunday it’s hard to blame the team for wanting to keep all information, or as much as possible, on a need-to-know-basis between only people who, well, need-to-know.
It simply adds more intrigue to the first meeting between provincial rivals in the Eastern Final since 1986.
