MIKE GOMES
Argonauts.ca Staff
Players To Watch:
QB Kevin Glenn
RB Avon Cobourn
WR Chris Williams
SB Dave Stala
WR/KR Marcus Thigpen
DE Stevie Baggs
DE Justin Hickman
P/K Justin Medlock
Key Injuries:
C Marwan Hage
RB Terry Grant
LB Jamall Johnson
DB Milt Collins
DB Ryan Hines
Storylines:
– Can the Ticats avoid finishing the season under .500 for the first time since 2008?
– How many starters will the ‘Cats dress in thier finale before the playoffs?
– Will Hamilton put together a strong effort as they try to build momentum heading into the post-season?
Heading into the final week of the CFL season, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-9) have secured third place in the East and will play Winnipeg or Montreal on November 13 in the East Division semi-final.
Coming off a disappointing 19-3 loss in Saskatchewan, the Tiger-Cats may rest their banged up players on Thursday night in Toronto. Hamilton will try to balance avoiding injuries and polishing their game plan as they build momentum heading into the playoffs.
In their past three games, Hamilton head coach Marcel Bellefeuille has rotated his quarterbacks as he looks for his best option in the playoffs. Quinton Porter started Saturday’s game against the Roughriders and completed just 6 of 13 passes for 53 yards. Kevin Glenn replaced Porter to start the second half, but had little success, throwing for 171 yards and four interceptions.
With both quarterbacks struggling, Bellefeuille has already declared his intentions to rotate Porter and Glenn again this week in Toronto. The Ticats’ sideline boss is hoping one of them establishes himself as the clear-cut starter come playoff time.
Receivers Marcus Thigpen and Glenn MacKay did not finish Saturday’s game in Saskatchewan and their status is uncertain for Thursday night in Toronto. Having already parted ways with veteran receivers Arland Bruce III, Maurice Mann, and Marquay Mcdaniel, the ‘Cats are looking a bit thin in the pass-catching department. They will be leaning on some of their youngsters such as Aaron Kelly and Bakari Grant to form some sort of chemistry with one, if not both, of the Hamilton pivots.
After allowing 17 points in the first half against Saskatchewan, Hamilton’s defence made adjustments and allowed only two points in the second. The group will look to stay hot as they face off with rival Toronto who they limited to just four field goals in their last meeting.
The Cats’ defence is led by linebacker Rey Williams who, in his first season with the Ticats, sits tied for second (with Lin-J Shell) in the CFL with 91 tackles. Last week in Saskatchewan, the 30-year-old had 9 tackles and got to the quarterback once for a sack. In front of Williams is defensive end Justin Hickman who is also having a standout season in Steeltown. With 12 sacks in 2011, Hickman is only one behind league leader Odell Willis.
In the secondary, defensive back Dee Webb will square off against his former team for the first time since being traded from Toronto to Hamilton on October 11. Webb was brought in to shore up a defensive secondary that has been plagued by injuries this season. As a result, Hamilton has been forced to shuffle their DB’s around but it has given them a chance to develop some new talent. Most noteworthy of which is safety Carlos Thomas who has been a solid cover man for the Black and Gold in recent weeks.
Ticats’ running back Avon Cobourne needs 39 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for the second time in his career. The former Alouettes back has eight rushing touchdowns in 2011 and has caught 50 passes for 459 yards.
In the coaching matchup, Bellefeuille holds a 5-0 regular season record against Argonauts head coach Jim Barker and with a win on Thursday night will finish 9-9 for the third straight season.
Following the game the Ticats will be watching the rest of the league closely as they await their opponent for the East Semi-Final in either Montreal or Winnipeg.