THE CANADIAN PRESS
Beaks have been flapping in Montreal meanwhile it’s quiet in Hamilton.
After winning the Eastern Semi-Final, a couple Alouettes in particular made it seem like a trip to the Grey Cup was all but a foregone conclusion when asked about the Eastern Final matchup with the Tiger-Cats.
“We’re going to win this one,” linebacker Bear Woods said to reporters.
“We’re going to kick their ass, that’s what we going to do,” receiver Duron Carter said.
None of the tough talk coming from Montreal seemed to bother any of the Ticats. Head coach Kent Austin said he doesn’t care and his team doesn’t listen to it.
Quarterback Zach Collaros, with a wry smile, said he didn’t hear anything about what Montreal players might have said heading into the Eastern Final, either. And it seems the entire Hamilton team is not spending much time worrying about what its opponent is doing.
| 2014 Eastern Final Playoff Centre |
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The Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats clash for the second time in three weeks in the Eastern Final. Get everything you need to know about this matchup with CFL.ca’s Eastern Final Playoff Centre. |
“As far as what they got going on over in Montreal with trash talking, I really haven’t been paying too much attention to it,” defensive back Rico Murray said.
“I’ve just been focusing on all the time that I have to prepare for this game. If I waste time talking trash, those are precious minutes that I could be using to make myself or the guys around me better.”
“Trash talking during the week doesn’t benefit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.”
Running back Nic Grigsby agrees.
“There is no reason for talking. Coach Austin and the guys here in this locker room – we’re about action.”
“Our leaders do a great job of keeping everybody humble. There is no need to talk. We’re going to let our pads do the talking.”
Running back, offensive line meshing
Nic Grigsby has been immersed in the Ticats’ offence long enough to feel comfortable with any play call.
“I’ve had some games in the system with the offensive linemen and I’m getting a feel for them,” Grigbsy said.
No. 2 has put in extra time to get caught up to his teammates’ level of understanding the playbook. And Grigsby’s game-to-game rushing totals would seem to support that. He’s improved his yardage on the ground each time out in three contests (6, 47, 93) since arriving in Hamilton. Grigbsy’s most impressive performance in a Ticats uniform to date happened to come against Montreal.
“We have to establish the run against these guys – come out and make it happen,” Hamilton’s rookie ball carrier said.
“We want to come at them.”
Expect Grigby’s pads to be popping a lot on Sunday as the team focuses on setting and maintaining a physical style on offence by pounding the rock.
Ticats defence aware of Als’ personnel
Defensive back Rico Murray said his defence must always know which players are on the field, especially at the running back position. That might sound rudimentary. But with Brandon Rutley and Chris Rainey putting up strong efforts in the Eastern Semi-Final, and Tyrell Sutton getting healthy, there is an assortment of skill sets between the Montreal backs.
“For example, Sutton is a tough downhill runner. Rainey is one of those guys that if you let him get to the perimeter, you really see how fast he is. And Rutley does a good job of getting what’s blocked for him,” Murray said.
“For those reasons, you have to be aware of the personnel that’s on the field.”
Hamilton’s focus will be on stopping the run in a variety of ways based upon who’s on the field for Montreal. And when the Alouettes drop back to pass, they will be well aware where Duron Carter and S.J. Green – No. 19 had four catches for 103 yards in his last meeting with the Ticats – are lined up.
“S.J. Green’s strengths are his size and physicality. You have to be able to match the intensity with him,” Murray, who will likely see a lot of Green in coverage on Sunday, said.
Carter and Delvin Breaux will go man-to-man on the shortside of the field. And tracking and maintaining tight coverage on Montreal’s two top receivers will be important in trying to slow down the Als offence.
Impact of Tim Hortons Field
It’s well known Hamilton is a perfect 6-0 at its new stadium. The fact the Ticats get to host the Eastern Final at their own field means the players are comfortable in the surroundings. And the noise created by the Steeltown fans certainly makes it tougher on the visiting team.
“Actually, the last time we played Montreal, there was one play in particular late in the game where it was second down and all the fans were going crazy,” Murray explained. “I’m looking at [Alouettes quarterback] Jonathan Crompton and he’s trying to get his guys together. He’s looking at the sideline saying he can’t hear anything and can’t get the play call.”
“That’s hats off to the fans doing their part to make it a hostile environment at Tim Hortons Field. It does get pretty loud there”
A loud and proud sold out crowd will be on hand when, for the first time since 1998, Hamilton hosts the Eastern Final. That year, the Ticats beat Montreal 22-20 to advance to the Grey Cup — surely a positive omen for the team heading into Sunday.
