Ticats.ca Staff
QB Zach Collaros, safety Craig Butler and head coach Kent Austin met with the media as the Ticats began their preparations for Sunday’s game against Saskatchewan…
Kent Austin on CJ Gable’s progress and his return at practice:
“It’s still a little slow right now, we’ll see how he responds after today. He didn’t do a lot today, individual work and a few other exercises. We’ll see how he feels. I would say it’s probably 50/50 at this point.”
Austin on how Saskatchewan will account for the loss of quarterback Darian Durant:
“They will probably emphasize other aspects of their offence a little more and emphasize what they feel (backup QB Tino Sunseri) does well in the passing game. Every quarterback is a bit different, and they will tailor schematically what they do accordingly.”
Austin reflecting on the passing of the Paul Weiler (also known as Pigskin Pete III):
“It’s tradition. It’s a tradition for this franchise, and it’s a tradition for this league. Everybody knew who he was. That’s what makes sports so great, it’s longstanding traditions, people that engage the fans and that fans can relate and be tied to emotionally. Obviously our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones. He made the game fun.”
Austin on the decision to release RB/KR Lindsey Lamar:
“I talked to him this morning at length, it was difficult. We, me personally and others in the staff, are very fond of Lindsey. We have some extra bodies and he has shown an inability to stay healthy. I wish him all the best. I know that he’ll have probably have another opportunity and I told him that I would help them in any way possible, even if that means he’s got to go to another team and I have to play against him. He’s a good young man he’s got a great future no matter what he does.”
Craig Butler on playing against Saskatchewan quarterback Tino Sunseri:
“He’s a football player. I think he’s been in a good position the last couple of years playing, behind a quarterback like Darian Durant. Anytime you have an opportunity to play behind an elite quarterback like that you’re obviously going to pick up some good things.”
Butler on if his teammates has turned to him for advice in dealing with Sunseri
“He’s still relatively new, there’s not a lot of film on him. I went against him when he was our third stringer, our practice squad quarterback last year. I got to see some things that maybe some other guys have not been able to see, so yeah I’m going to help whatever way I can. But at the end of the day, he’s a professional too. He plays, he gets paid. He’s been in the system two years, so it’s not like he’s a brand new guy. It’s just going to be up to us to stop him. “
Butler on if he is relieved to be not playing against Darian Durant:
“I’m the kind of football player that likes to play against the best, that’s how I to measure myself, when I go against the best. So it’s a shame that Darian went down because I know what kind of leader he is and the type of competitor that he is. It’s a shame, but we obviously have to take advantage of whoever we’re playing against, but personally I want to play against the best.”
Butler on if he saw potential in Tino Sunseri when he was in Saskatchewan:
“For sure. I mean he was there for a reason. He was behind two really good quarterbacks obviously in Durant and Drew Willy. He definitely has a lot of potential. I think the biggest thing that I took from him is that he’s got a gun. I’ve watched him throw 60-70 yard balls out there in practice like it was nothing, so I know he’s that ability. He can use his legs. Their game plan is not going to change too much, they’re going to want to run the ball and let him throw when they have the opportunities.”
Zach Collaros on the possibility of getting CJ cable back for this
“It would be great. I think Mossis is doing a pretty good job, but CJ is a special player, and everybody knows that.”
Collaros on positives he took away from last Sunday’s game:
“I think any time you look at the film there’s always positives and negatives. After a loss the negatives really stick out, but we addressed them and I think we had a pretty decent day today at practice. We will have to get better tomorrow for sure, but the guys are coming to work and ready to go.”
Collaros on face the Roughriders defensive line:
“They have a very good front four. It’s kind of what they base their defence on. They really get after the quarterback and are able to cover with eight, obviously there’s different packages where they are pressuring us with five or six guys, but they have a very good front four. We will have to be able to protect, and I’m going to have to be able to get the ball out of my hands and put it in the hands of my playmakers if we’re going to win this game.”
