With the Cats starting out the regular season with 2 losses -- Canada Day at home to the Bombers, then on the road against the Eskimos -- I was becoming concerned that the team wasn't living up to the hype coming into the 2011 campaign. The defence looked lost and Kevin Glenn was starting to exhibit the same tendencies of Offensive Co-ordinator Khari Jones towards the end of his playing career: he "had plently of good reads, but the ball didn't go where (he) wanted it to." Mind you, it wasn't all Glenn's fault as some of his pass attempts were made to receivers who couldn't hang onto the ball. At that rate, there would be a good chance some of my section mates would make good on their claims to sunbathe on the soon-to-be vacant backed benches. However, things began to turn around in Tigertown.
Since the 0-2 start, the Cats have won 4 of their past 5 games. Granted, 3 of those contests were against teams who currently have a combined record of 5-19, but the impressive win 34-26 win at home over the defending Grey Cup champs in Week 5 provided a glimmer of hope in what was originally turning into a dismal season. But that was then, and the schedule is about to get tougher for the Tabbies.
The next five games are against teams with a combined 21-8 record; including a critical home-at-home against those same Alouettes we defeated at Ivor Wynne a mere three weeks ago. Only two of these next five will be within the confines of the Bastion on Balsam -- Labour Day vs. Montréal, then September 16th against a sliding Edmonton squad -- so if the Black and Gold are to succeed over the next stretch, they need to step up their game and prove they can win on the road against a formidable opponent. The first task on this quest happens to be this coming week with a playdate in CanadInns Stadium against the Bombers.
Things In My Craw...
I know I'm going to get some heat for saying this, but is it little wonder why Arland Bruce is no longer a Ti-Cat?
Don't get me wrong, he's a great player; when he chooses to perform. His antics wore thin with management in Toronto, so he got released by the Double Blue and Obie scooped him up. During his tenure in Tigertown, "Da Third" hauled in 169 passes for 2,450 yards and 17 touchdowns; impressive stats indeed. However, this season he developed an acute case of the "dropsies" and wasn't able to find the end zone. While the argument could be made that he wasn't thrown to enough, if you were thrown to and couldn't snare the ball, could you blame Glenn and Khari for being hesitant in calling your number? Mind you, when you have Dave "Sticky" (Sticky Sticky Wop Pang Zip!... Nee!) Stala having a record season for touchdown grabs, and the emergence of young receivers in Aaron Kelly and Chris Williams, it's little wonder that Spiderman suddenly became expendable. Of course, his moping on the bench towards the end of the Montréal win -- although he "claims" it was a knee injury -- didn't help matters either. Now he's found his groove back in B.C.; hauling in 9 receptions for 129 yards and 2 TDs. Yeah, knee injury, my hairy appendage.
Possibly Regretting My Wishes...
When the defensive secondary coverage has been spotty, I have openly opined that they seemed lost without the mind of former Defensive Co-ordinator Greg Marshall guiding the corps. During the off-season, Marshall finally received his dream gig of head coach and was manning the sidelines for Riderville. Now he's regretting taking the job in the first place.
The Green & White started their 2011 campaign a far cry from their back-to-back Grey Cup appearance form with an abysmal 1-7 start; including a decisive 33-3 trouncing by his former team at Ivor Wynne in Week 3. The Riders have been showing slight signs of life in recent weeks by dominating the 4th quarter, but falling short to the Stampeders in Week 7 and this week in Toronto. Speculation has it that some of the players were unwilling to play for Marshall and Offensive Co-ordinator, former Winnipeg head coach Doug Berry. Well, the ones who don the uniform got their wish as both Marshall and Berry were given their pink slips after a 24-18 loss at the
What's On Tap...
Four teams -- including the Ti-Cats -- had the week off this week while the other half played. Now it's time to switch it up and those who were off play and those who played get a breather. Week 9 will see Black & Gold make the trek to the Manitoba capital to take on the Bombers. The Cats will be looking for a little payback for the 24-16 loss handed to them back at the season opener in Ivor Wynne on Canada Day. The game starts at 8pm Friday night on TSN. And once again, we'll be commentweeting the action on the tele. Just remember to follow along on Twitter, @DiefOnCats is our account. Until Friday night Tigertown, oskee wee wee!
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