OTTAWA — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will visit the nation’s capital on Thursday night as they take on the reigning Grey Cup Champions, the Ottawa REDBLACKS, as both teams take part in their first pre-season action.
Hamilton’s head coach Kent Austin will be using their first game of the pre-season for evaluation of newer players as some key Ticats will not be suiting up in the contest. Zach Collaros, Simoni Lawrence, C.J. Gable, Terrence Toliver, John Chick, Ryan Bomben and Ted Lauren, just to name a few, will not take part.
“We need to develop depth,” Austin told Ticats.ca. “It’s not just evaluation we have to develop the next guys in the event that we have injuries.”
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As Hamilton’s number-two quarterback, head coach Kent Austin only needs to see Jeremiah Masoli for a few reps on Thursday (The Canadian Press)
The home team will also be using their first game action of 2017 to evaluate every player they have on the the depth chart.
“Anybody that’s healthy and dressing is going to play in this game regardless of the score or what’s going on,” said REDBLACKS head coach Rick Campbell. “It’s fully our intention to go out and compete and try to win the game.”
Campbell confirmed that quarterback Trevor Harris will start the contest for the REDBLACKS but likely won’t see much playing time as the team will look to Drew Tate and Ryan Lindley to take over under centre.
For Hamilton, Jeremiah Masoli will get the start at quarterback but according to Austin he will likely see limited reps. Everett Golson, the Tabbies’ projected third-stringer, is expected to see the most snaps during the contest.
“He’s come a long way,” Austin said of Golson’s development. “He really has. He’s worked really hard fundamentally. He’s more accurate than he was last year. He has a way better understanding of the offence. That only really grows by playing and getting a lot more reps.”
Diontae Spencer, who signed with the REDBLACKS this off-season, will get the start at receiver while Kenny Shaw, who signed a deal with Ottawa around the same time, will not dress. Stars Greg Ellingson and Brad Sinopoli will also get the start at receiver for Ottawa.
Receivers Brian Tyms and Kevin Elliott – two late-season additions last year – will be starting at receiver for Hamilton while Ross Scheuerman will see some playing time in the back field.
The Tiger-Cats will also get their first look at their 2017 first-round draft pick Connor McGough on Thursday as he starts at defensive end.
The competition for Hamilton’s kicker position is still wide-open and both Sergio Castillo and Ryan Hawkins will take the kicking and punting duties on Thursday night. Speedster Brandon Banks will also see action on special teams on kick and punt returns.
The REDBLACKS will have a competition of their own as the running back position seems to be open as well. William Powell, Mossis Madu, Shakir Bell and 2017 draft pick Ed Ilnicki will all fight for the starting spot.
After an injury plagued 2016, the Tiger-Cats will be looking to keep their bodies healthy in 2017 as they look to improve on their Eastern Semi-Final exit last season.
Ottawa is fresh off of a Grey Cup victory and will be hoping they can start their 2017 season on that same winning note.
“Some guys will step up their game in live competition and some guys not so much” said Campbell. “Obviously it’s a huge part of the evaluation with how they perform in this game. It’s also a measuring stick of how we’re performing as an offensive unit and defensive unit and special teams.”
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET and can be followed live via CFL.ca Game Tracker or seen on TSN.
-With files from Ticats.ca/REDBLACKS.com
