Derek Mortensen/CFL.ca
Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach Kent Austin is one of the best game-planners and schemers in the Canadian Football League.
So you can bet your mortgage he will have his Ticats fully prepared for the biggest game in franchise history since the turn of the century.
Expect both teams to keep their tactics close to the vest. Thursday’s closed workout is a perfect example of staying tight-lipped in regards to any new strategies being employed. Practice was closed to fans and the media, but perhaps it allowed time for Austin to add some wrinkles in his the game plan.
If yours truly tried to guess just what might be going on inside Austin’s brain in order to have success against the Riders, a few stick out.
In the Grey Cup edition of ‘Dunk Dials In’ we go in depth on the most important factors from a Hamilton perspective.
Let’s begin on the defensive side of the football. It’s obvious, but the Ticats must, must, MUST, contain Kory Sheets. The CFL’s leading rusher sets the tone on offence for Saskatchewan.
He has regularly put the Riders in second and medium to short situations which opens up the entire play book for offensive coordinator George Cortez.
Saskatchewan utilizes primarily, like all CFL teams in some from, a zone running attack. And Sheets has the kind of vision, quick-cut and slashing ability to perfectly fit into a zone scheme.
He is able to find holes and pop through in the blink of an eye. Of course it helps when the offensive line is in sync and driving hard off the football, two areas the Rider blockers excel in.
It will be important for the Ticats defensive front seven to be stout on Sunday.
Hamilton’s defensive line must fire off the football and re-establish the line of scrimmage in the Riders offensive backfield. It is very important against a back like Sheets to get penetration so he doesn’t have time to read his blocks and get through the hole.
Obviously disrupting any running back before he gets to the hole is important, but it is paramount with Sheets because of his ability to make defenders miss once he gets into the second level.
Also, Sheets is adept at going against the flow and finding the cut-back lane. He will press to the play side and wait for a seam to open up as the defence flows. Hamilton’s contain defender on the backside, it might be a defensive lineman, linebacker or defensive back, depending on the situation, must stay disciplined.
The Ticats edge man has to maintain outside leverage on Sheets and force him back inside. Much of the Riders’ rushing attack relies on movement and flow – Sheets loves to cut back and escape through the backdoor. It’s where a lot of the big yardage chunk runs plays come from for Saskatchewan.
On the other side of the football, Henry Burris and his offence are going to see lots of man coverage. Riders head coach Corey Chamblin is known for locking his defensive backs into one-on-one coverage, leaving more bodies to defend the run and rush the passer.
Burris and his bevy of targets must be on the same page in terms of recognizing when and where pressure is coming from and adjust accordingly. Hank has to get the ball out of his hands quickly in blitz situations. He can’t afford to hold onto the football and take sacks that will put the Ticats behind the sticks.
At the same time, Hamilton’s receivers will have to win quickly off the line of scrimmage. The Ticats pass catchers must get a free release, avoid any press coverage, and get open in a timely manner. When Burris is ready to throw the ball he has to have an open target or he’s going to take an unnecessary hit.
For the Ticats to walk out of Regina with the Grey Cup in their possession the team must slow down Sheets and burn the Rider blitz.
