Isaac Owusu
Ticats.ca
Tiger-Cats head coach Kent Austin met with the media after Tuesday’s practice. Here are some of his key quotes:
On how critical it is to get a win on Friday:
“We feel like every game is a must-win, so that attitude is not going to change. We play every week to win and every game is important.”
On the challenge of facing the Calgary Stampeders:
“They’re a good football team. They had their record last year for a reason, and their current record is indicative to the quality of football team that we’re facing. So yes, it is a challenge in front of us, but we will be ready to play.”
What running back Jon Cornish adds to the Stampeders:
“He’s a great player, and great running back. But they’re going to do what they do and they have a great balance between run and the pass, they’re well coached, they make plays become and don’t make a lot of mistakes and they force you to defend them allover the field.”
His impressions of Stampeders’ quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell
“He’s obviously a winner. He plays with a lot of confidence, he’s got a little swagger to him. He’s accurate, can make most of the throws and he has a knack for the big play. He can pull the ball down and extend plays when he needs to. He seems understand what they want from him and distributes the ball well.”
How receiver Andy Fantuz is looking this week:
“He’s looking good right now there hasn’t been any setbacks this week. Right now, it’s looking pretty good.”
On the status of receiver Greg Ellingson:
“He looked better today for sure, he had probably his best day of practice today in a long time. So that’s pretty encouraging.”
Coach Austin on the potential return of @andyfantuz: “It’s looking good at this point.” #Ticats #CFL
— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) July 15, 2014
Receiver Andy Fantuz, who has been sidelined with a concussion since the team’s June 19 pre-season game, also spoke with reporters after practising for the third straight day:
How he feels heading into his return on Friday:
“I’m feeling pretty good, trying to work in practice and see how I react, and so far so good. So one more day and all is going according to plan so I’m excited to get back on the field.”
How much of the return is mental?
“It comes with the preparation, you just work hard in practice and focus on what you need to do and then when each play is called you just focus on what you need to do.”
“You can’t really think about if you have any hesitation, that’s when your not going to play your best ability and then you’re probably prone to few injuries. So I guess I just learn to live and play without any distractions because it comes from preparation and practice.”
On what his veteran presence brings to the team:
“It would be nice to be out there and definitely have some leadership within the group. So from a day-to-day aspect, to being able to be on the field, our ups and downs and adversity and dealing with it, it should help.”
On what kind of options he provides to the offence:
“We have a lot of depth on our team but anytime we can add a weapon there it’s going to help. Guys can be back out there in more familiar positions and that would definitely help too, and it just gives overall familiarity of what we’re used to.”
About the team’s sense of urgency:
“We have to get rolling here and we definitely didn’t start the way we wanted to, and this is a great opportunity for us. Calgary is playing great ball and this is a chance for us to show what we got and start building something going forward.”
On Jeremiah Masoli:
“I have admired him since he got here, and his professionalism and his approach the game. I’m really excited for him to get a chance to see what he’s got and I think that he’s picked up the playbook well this week and I expect big things.”
Has there been a “catching up” process this week?
“There was, and that’s what I been trying to work on in practice this week. I’m sure there will be things that I’ll want to improve after the game’s all said and done, but I feel ready to go and I’ll work through it.”
