The Tiger Cats offence is looking to replicate the success of Marvel with their Avengers movie series. After a successful season in 2014, which featured solid performances from a star-studded cast, the team is hoping that the return of those stars, along with the addition of a few new weapons, is the recipe for even greater success.
The offence all flows through Zach Collaros, who returns for his second season as the Ticats’ pivot; and after a 2014 breakout season, Collaros expects to be even better in 2015. “For me, it’s just being here, the experience,” said Collaros, “understanding the offence more and being able to make quicker decisions…understanding what patterns beat which coverages, and where the defence is exposed.”
Collaros, whose 65.8% completion percentage was the third-highest mark in the CFL last season, should benefit from a roster full of receiving weapons in the upcoming campaign.
“We have the guys to do it, we know we do,” said receiver Andy Fantuz, who was the team’s second-leading receiver in 2014. “If everyone buys in, I expect big things.”
Fantuz is the veteran leader of a receiving group that features three of the league’s top 15 receivers from 2014, including Luke Tasker, Bakari Grant and Fantuz. All three receivers have returned to the Ticats in 2015, as has speedy Brandon Banks, and they’ll be joined by two new faces that have been taking camp by storm.
International receivers Tiquan Underwood and Terrence Toliver have each spent time at the NFL level, but it’s been their dedication to learning the CFL game that has allowed them to have success this spring, says offensive coordinator Tommy Condell.
“They’re pros, veterans; this may be their first year in the CFL, but it’s definitely not their first year playing professional football,” said Condell. Both Underwood and Toliver have been rolling with the first-team offence in practice, and both have meshed with their quarterback, providing him with two more quality targets in the passing game.
“From my perspective, I think they’re doing a good job and we keep improving every day,” said Collaros.
Along with a strong group of veteran receivers, the Ticats boast an abundance of depth at the running back position, starting with a healthy C.J. Gable.
Gable, who missed a significant portion of last season and all of the playoffs with foot and shoulder injuries, has returned to camp healthy and as confident as ever. When asked what fans can expect from him in 2015, Gable’s response was quick and to the point.
“You can expect the same thing you saw my first year, and even more,” said 2013’s Most Outstanding Rookie runner-up.
Nic Grigsby and Mossis Madu headline a group of talented backs behind Gable on the depth chart, but the competition for playing time is wide open says coach Condell.
“They’re all doing a great job in that regard,” said the second-year offensive coordinator, “but the biggest thing for me is to protect the passer, and be able to run the football effectively and play physical.”
The final position group on the offence has been re-tooled as well, giving veteran centre Mike Filer fellow Canadians to his left and right on the interior of the offensive line. The return of Pete Dyakowski and the addition of Ryan Bomben via trade has Filer excited for the upcoming campaign.
“Both players are aggressive, strong players, good inside players,” said Filer, “we’re all clicking well and getting used to playing beside each other.”
Joel Figueroa and Brian Simmons round out the ‘A’ group of offensive linemen, although the position group has a considerable amount of depth to it.
The offensive line can be overlooked by the casual football fan due to the ugly nature of their work, but to Filer and the rest of the line, they know how important line play is in the CFL, and they have to take the lead on offence. “We set the tempo,” he said, “we’ve got to lead the offence out there and become a more dominant offensive line, that’s our goal this year.”