Ferguson: Ticats’ resiliency has earned chance to separate themselves from pack

The Tiger-Cats aren’t good enough to win a Grey Cup as currently constituted, and they know it.

Every week Hamilton players and coaches step before microphones and cameras making it known that they were disappointed in their most recent performance.

Some of the greatest hits include, “we just have to be sharper”, “We’re taking turns making mistakes” and “we have to be accountable to one another”.

There is nothing wrong with this approach. If any modern media member thinks they’re going to get a golden quote signed, sealed and delivered day after day, week after week through the grind that is professional football they’re greatly misled. What makes this different for the Tiger-Cats is the seem to genuinely believe they’re not capable of walking on water.

Kent Austin has done the impossible, convinced the 21st century professional athlete they have flaws no matter what the scoreboard says.

That installment of vulnerability has created a team unwilling to settle and it showed on Labour Day Monday. While this resiliency has been apparent several times over this season for the black and gold its two truest tests may have come against the double blue.

Twice this season the Tiger-Cats have used the Argos as a measuring stick of their mental and physical toughness, a means to gauge their Grey Cup worthiness.

In week one it was all about answering the question, “who are we with Jeremiah Masoli as our starter”?

The answer: A quick release passing attack offence with an inability to protect the football or maintain any type of balance in time of possession. More importantly the defence arrived in week one. 

Simoni Lawrence’s seven tackles, two quarterback sacks, a fumble recovery and a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown let everyone know the offence could put me out there, and the team would stay around .500.

In week 11 the Argos were again used as a test of merit by the Tiger-Cats. This time the question had nothing to do with identity or Masoli as it did in week one. This time it was about playing at home.

Good teams win at home. Good teams do not turn the ball over or take bad penalties, especially when they play at home. In the first half Hamilton did all that and more. Despite falling into yet another twenty point hole the Tiger-Cats chomped down on the bit, put the blinders on and found the resolve required to get a victory at home n stunning fashion Monday.

This might seem rudimentary to most who have heard the power of Tim Hortons Field in backing the Ticats since it opened, but the team began this year 0-2 at home with low energy loses. While a 53-7 win over Saskatchewan scratched the itch of pleasing Hamilton football fans, it hardly scratched the surface on most important wins of 2016.

CFL teams have and will always use Labour Day weekend as a launching point to their second half of the season, but those first two tests from the Argonauts helped define the first half Tiger-Cats.

Now comes the third and possibly last double blue test depending on crossover possibilities.

If the Tiger-Cats would like to be considered among the true threats to make a Grey Cup run this November they must assert their dominance against a wounded animal on the road in a place the Grey Cup will be awarded in just over two months.

On Labour day both the Argos and Ticats move the ball consistently with a bevy of completions. I believe that trend will remain the same for Collaros and the offence, and would love to see the same downfield slashing runs from CJ Gable everyone witnessed Monday.

However, Kent Austin and his staff are not partial to just the last games trends in building a game plan, and the only true reason CJ was given a chance to star in the biggest show of the year thus far was Rich Stubler’s defence and their willingness to play with three defensive lineman.

Expect Collaros to go over 300 yards passing for the fifth straight game since his return, and CJ to have more receiving yards than rushing yards.

As for the Argos this Sunday, your guess is as good as mine.  In the second half on Labour Day, their defensive line couldn’t get to Collaros and their offensive line had challenges protecting Ricky Ray.

Those two issues in the trenches are not to be ignored, they are the basis of your team.  If Ricky Ray can’t go we will likely see Dan LeFevour. A true run-pass option quarterback with black and gold history.

Kent Austin and Orlondo Steinauer recruited, trained, and got to know LeFevour’s strengths and weaknesses. If Ray can’t go and I’m the Argos I might put Logan Kilgore in just for the simple fact that the Ticats don’t know his game as well.

Regardless of who plays quarterback for Toronto they will need more than just a couple of brilliant Kevin Elliot and Tori Gurley catches to get their second home win of the season.

While I don’t believe it is true, everyone tries to tell you the CFL season doesn’t begin until Labour Day. If so, what a time to be a CFL fan. The joy of watching storied rivalries such as the Argos and Ticats is found in the struggle of battle and the test of will only your annoying brother can put you through. At least once more this season the Tiger-Cats will learn something new about themselves from their QEW rival.

I for one can’t wait.