Roxanna Nazarowicz (RX photography)
HAMILTON — As tempers flared on Thursday at Ticats practice in Hamilton, it was merely just a sign that training camp is progressing exactly the way it should.
It was the O-line and D-line clashing and the quarterback involved too, but for Head Coach Kent Austin just a side note in what’s been a competitive camp.
“Things happen, especially about this time of camp,” said Austin. “We’ve got a good group of guys. Stuff happens, things get out of control. We have to bring them back under control.
“We keep the focus on understanding they’re your teammates and this is your team and to get back and practise the proper way and move on.”
It’s bound to happen when the big men clash, as they’ve done often throughout camp.
RELATED: Pivotal battles for QBs throughout camp
Jeremiah Masoli had a strong showing Thursday (Roxanna Nazarowicz/RX Photography)
The Ticats’ D-line has a new look and something to prove following off-season departures that include Bryan Hall, Brian Bulcke, Justin Hickman and Eric Norwood. John Chick, Ted Laurent, Drake Nevis and Adrian Tracy are among the projected starters, and Orlondo Steinauer was busy sending them to the quarterback with multiple looks.
The O-line stood its ground but was far from perfect.
“We’ve got some work to do,” said Austin. “They’re seeing a lot of stuff up front right now from our defence and it’s not going to be perfect with what they’re facing right now.
“The main thing is to properly assess where they’re at,” he added. “Their overall understanding – are we getting the right calls, are we getting in the right position, the right place.”
Mike Filer, Ryan Bomben and Peter Dyakowski bring continuity to that unit while a familiar face in Brian Simmons also returns to play left tackle after signing as a free agent. Jeremy Lewis is manning the right tackle position along with Brandon Washington.
“We’ve got a great group of guys,” said Dyakowski, now in his 10th CFL season. “We’re bringing so many guys back. We’ve got a very cohesive unit. We click.”
Added Filer: “We’ve got to bring the intensity, man. For us up front that’s what it’s all about.
“That’s our focus this year – to prove to everyone that we’re a good nasty bunch up front and we’re going to play our heart out every snap of the ball and that’s what we’re all about.”
Ticats legend Angelo Mosca made an appearance at Thursday’s practice, which was ramped up from the beginning with the entire squad getting involved in a kick return drill that was capped off with defensive back Cleshawn Page high-stepping his route to the end zone.
While fireworks went off in the trenches, it may have been the kickers that were turning heads as Cody Mandell and Brett Maher were trading punts. The competing kickers could be seen standing on opposite sidelines impressively hitting 60-yard kicks across the field to each other.
“We’ve got to bring the intensity, man. For us up front that’s what it’s all about.”
Mike Filer
The quarterbacks continued their strong camp, the best coming on a particular play from Jeremiah Masoli who scanned through his reads, stepped up into the pocket and delivered the ball 40 yards down field for a touchdown to a tightly covered Andy Fantuz.
“I thought our quarterbacks have been pretty good,” said Austin. “The defence is throwing a lot of stuff at us right now. A lot of pressure looks, a lot of movement. I think our guys are handling it really well.”
Also continuing to progress is Chad Owens, the Ticats’ free agent signing from their heated division rival Toronto Argonauts. Owens appears to be picking up the playbook fairly quick, lining up in the slot alongside Terrence Toliver on the weak side as 12-on-12 team drills get underway.
Owens has quickly shown the quarterbacks he still can be a reliable target amongst a receiving group that brings ample amounts of depth for the Tiger-Cats offence.
“Everybody kind of knows his skill-set,” said Austin. “He’s been a great player for a long time and he’s a great fit for our offence.
“We use him in varied ways; it just kind of depends on the configuration of the guys around him.”
While Courtney Stephen gets acclimated to his new position at safety, the defence continues to push the pace at practice and overall Austin is happy with his team’s effort.
“It’s a work in progress as it always is at this stage in camp,” Austin summarized. “One of the things for sure is the guys are practising hard.
“They’re well-prepared,” he added. “Coaches are doing a good job preparing them coming out here. It’s about where we expected them to be at this time.”
The Ticats are back at it on Friday morning at McMaster’s Ron Joyce Stadium.
– With files from Ticats.ca
