Jeff Krever
CFL.ca
For teams as talented and deep at receiver as the Ticats, a common complaint is that there aren’t enough footballs to keep everyone happy.
Yet Kent Austin’s found a way to make it work with just one this season, thanks mostly to an offence that spreads the ball around like no other.
“We don’t feature one guy,” said Austin. “Our offence is one that spreads the football around.”
Whether it’s Greg Ellingson and Samuel Giguere one week or Andy Fantuz and Bakari Grant the next, the Ticats had the most statistically diverse offence in the CFL this season – and the numbers to back it up are just bizarre.
While Henry Burris finished first in the league in passing yards, not a single receiver on the team topped 1,000 yards this year.
Part of that is a result of injuries to Fantuz and Ellingson, both of whom missed roughly half the season at different times – but it’s not just that. Game in and game out the Ticats find ways to get everyone involved almost equally.
“If you look at the stats and you see the distribution of our throws, everybody has to do their job, there are no decoys in our passing game,” Austin added.
Five different pass-catchers eclipsed the 500-yard mark, while non-import receiver Samuel Giguere in just his second CFL season barely fell short of becoming the sixth with 474 yards.
In the receptions department six players eclipsed the 30-catch mark, while 10 finished in double digits. Meanwhile 12 different players caught a touchdown pass, with Ellingson’s six scores finishing him first on the club.
For a position that often exhibits greed, the Ticats have players who put winning ahead of racking up receiving yards and touchdowns.
“The coaches have done a great job preparing us each week and putting in the systems, and the guys have believed in it and just make plays,” said Dave Stala, one of the more veteran receivers of the group.
With that, the Ticats are never an easy opponent to defend in the passing game as it’s virtually impossible for a defence to key on one guy. Giguere agreed that receivers’ selflessness and the team’s ball distribution has led to a far more potent attack.
“I think everybody that plays offence on a professional football team wants the football, wants to do well, and wants to help the team win,” he said. “And it’s no different here – everybody on offence wants to contribute to the success of the team.”
“At the same time I think we’re most efficient and most productive when the ball does get spread around and everybody gets some touches. We’re very fortunate on this team to have a lot of playmakers.”
Dave Stala may no longer be a focal point in the Ticats’ offence, but his role out of the spotlight is still an important one.
With 10 catches and zero touchdowns this season, the 11-year vet found himself the odd man out in a receiving corps that boasts so much depth. But he’s making the most of his situation, and younger receivers like Sam Giguere are grateful.
“Dave Stala’s been a great veteran for many years,” said Giguere, a second-year receiver out of Sherbrooke.
“Just being in meeting rooms with him, being on the practice field with him, talking about certain plays, certain adjustments depending on coverages and stuff – it’s helped me a great deal, last year especially since I was a rookie in this league.”
Stala said this season hasn’t exactly been what he envisioned, but he’s happy to be in the Grey Cup this season and proud of what he’s been able to help the younger players accomplish.
“Right now the situation is I’m the next guy, so I’m just trying to help the young guys understand what’s going on with the defences and just make sure I know my game plan and be ready if my number gets called,” he said.
“It’s a different situation but our football team is in a good situation to win the Grey Cup and that’s what I’m happy about right now.”
Giguere pointed out that he isn’t the only young player who’s taken full advantage, particularly on a roster that’s so young compared to teams like the Alouettes, Argos, and Roughriders.
“He’s been helping everybody come along and we’ve had some rookies come in this year and do well like [Greg Ellingson], [Luke Tasker], and even [C.J. Gable],” he said.
“I think Dave has credit for that because he’s been talking with them every day and helping them with the new plays and the adjustments, so he’s matured into that role.”
Stala meanwhile is still getting used to the whole mentorship role, but said he’s prepared to do whatever’s necessary to earn his team a win on Sunday.
“It’s definitely different,” he explained. “As a player you want to play and as a receiver you want the ball. Don’t get me wrong I still want to play, I still want the ball – it’s just the situation right now.”
“But again it’s a team thing right now and it’s about for us to win the football game,” he continued.
“Whatever I have to do over the next couple of days to help our football team, I will.”
