Ticats.ca Staff
Tiger-Cats head coach Kent Austin, defensive coordinator Orlondo Steinauer and defensive tackle Linden Gaydosh met with the media after Thursday’s practice. Here are some of their key quotes:
Linden Gaydosh on how the locker room has received him:
“These guys are all personable, they’re all coming up and introducing themselves and making a lot easier for me. That’s something that I’ve been enjoying.”
Gaydosh on the last time he played a game:
“Actually it was here in Hamilton, when I played against McMaster. That was probably a year and 10 months ago… I got hurt (in Carolona) last year before the preseason, I got hurt this year before the preseason and (the Panthers) released me before I could get in the last game.”
Gaydosh on the one yard line difference at line of scrimmage in the CFL and NFL:
“It’s going to take a little bit because it changes the angles all over again. I got used to playing there with no angles and they’re all coming at me pretty quick, but now things have changed and they got a little bit more space and a little bit more time for them to get to my side and all around me. So it’s going to take a little bit of adjustment to get back, but I don’t think it’ll be bad once I get into my habit of playing.”
Gaydosh on what he offers to the defensive line:
“I’m here to play football and play D-line, that’s what I’m good at. I can bring up-the-gut pressure and that’s what I’m hoping to do, that’s what they’re asking me to do and that’s what I want to provide.”
Gaydosh’s first impressions of the defensive line:
“They’re a bunch of hard working guys. I sat down and watched film they’re all high motor guys, they all move and they’re pretty good. So it’s going to be interesting to see where I fit in.”
Coach Kent Austin on what Gaydosh’s first day at practice:
“He did not do a whole lot today. We just introduced him to everything, and he’s physically in pretty decent shape.”
Coach Kent Austin on how fast Gaydosh can contribute:
“We’ll see, all that is speculation. We’re just going to see how quickly he can learn things and where he best fits and what he understands. We’ll make sure there aren’t any missed assignments.”
Coach Kent Austin on the large number of national defensive tackles:
“That’s a place where we play Canadians. So that’s a ratio difference maker for us, so having good players and good individuals in that position is a real positive.”
Coach Kent Austin on if the veteran defensive linemen will take him under their wing:
“Oh they will, he’s in one of our strongest groups on this football team, as far as leadership and guys who are unselfish and play their roles. He’s in the good group there.”
Coach Orlondo Steinauer on his first impressions of Gaydosh:
“He’s big. He is big in stature. He showed why he was taken number one, he was number one on everybody’s board. But obviously, it’s going to take him some time to get acclimated and he hasn’t really played, he was injured down there. So it’s just good to have him on board. He’s fitting in, he’s catching a load of ‘you know what’ from the guys, so he’s going to fit in nicely.”
Coach Orlondo Steinauer on the depth of Canadians on the defensive line:
“I think with the expansion of the roster, and having more Canadians, I don’t think that you can have enough. Very few people play 18 weeks, let alone 23 preseason and through the playoffs and ultimately the Grey Cup. So I don’t think you can have enough depth, if you do have great talent it offers you the ability obviously shop people around and see what happens so the depth is definitely a great asset.”
Coach Orlondo Steinauer on the energy of Tim Hortons Field at helping the defence last Monday:
“I think I would be naive if I said it didn’t. It was nice for everybody, it was nice to step on at the practice field and practice there. It was just noticeable from when we went in and when we came back out and the stands were full. It just meant a lot to the players and the organization so it definitely gives an emotional boost.”
