After establishing dominance late in the 2014 season, the Tiger-Cats defence is operating under a whole new standard in 2015.
In 2014, the team ranked second in the CFL in yard allowed per game (314.2), first in rushing yards allowed per game (76.8), and fourth in pass completion percentage (62.5). Yet despite all of the success the defensive unit had, it came too late, says defensive lineman Bryan Hall.
“It took us until mid-season last year to get that, we’re trying to find that now, and with so much experience coming back there’s no reason why we can’t do it,” says Hall, a veteran leader on what figures to be a deep defensive line unit.
Hall has taken on a vocal leadership role at Hamilton’s training camp. In his second season with the Tiger Cats, the 26-year old defensive tackle is the first to demonstrate and participate in drills, the first guy to congratulate a teammate on a job well done and the first to provide constructive criticism if there’s room for improvement; he’s not taking this season lightly.
“We know the big things,” explains Hall, “and now I’m just trying to emphasize the little things that are going to take us to the next level and make us the best defensive line in the CFL.”
Even with the achilles injury that 2014 starter Linden Gaydosh suffered in the off-season, the big boys on the defensive front make up what is likely the deepest position group on the defence.
Eric Norwood, the team’s 2014 sack leader (13), and veteran Justin Hickman, who arrived at camp in the best shape of his life, have returned to join Hall at defensive end. Meanwhile, Brian Bulcke, Ted Laurent and Michael Atkinson will look to shore up the interior of line for the second consecutive season.
The vets have been joined by an aggressive, youthful contingent of defensive linemen at camp. Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, Drake Nevis, Sam Scott and 2014’s top draft pick Evan Gill, are all vying for spots amongst a rotation which promises to be strong and productive.
Last year’s starting linebacking core of Simoni Lawrence, Taylor Reed and Rico Murray combined for a total of 203 tackles and 11 sacks in 2014. All three have returned for another run with the Ticats, joined at camp by 10 other ‘backers competing for a spot on the team. When asked what kind of tone their position group is trying to establish, Lawrence didn’t hesitate with his response.
“We’re nasty,” says Lawrence. “We’re nasty, we’re fast, we’re athletic.”
Four of the linebackers competing for spots on the team are rookies from the 2015 Canadian draft, while another three are new to both the CFL and the Ticats.
One of this year’s draft choices, Jonathan Langa, was drafted as a linebacker but is attempting to make the transition to free safety in camp.
“I was there, we were all there, all the veterans [were],” says veteran safety Erik Harris. The team’s leading special teams tackler in 2014 continued, “you kind of know what they struggle with and you just try to keep it simple for them.”
Other than Langa, the safety position has not undergone many offseason changes, with Craig Butler, Mike Daly and Neil King also back.
The cornerback position will have a different look in 2015 after Delvin Breaux’s signing with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. Breaux was a fierce competitor and a statistical leader on Hamilton’s defence last season, and while Harris believes there’s a reason he got to where he is, he’s optimistic about the team’s ability to replace the 2014 CFL All-Star.
“We’ll definitely miss him, but he’s not irreplaceable” says Harris, “there’s plenty of guys here that can take that position.”
As a group, the secondary is looking to create more turnovers in 2015, after ranking fourth in the league in both interceptions (17) and fumble recoveries (16) last season. The defensive backs and defence enter each training camp session looking to create at least four turnovers, hoping those habits continue once they hit the field for games.
“We always preach that, turnovers,” explains Harris, “rips, picks, strips, however we can get the ball back to our offence. We just have to keep the intensity and energy level up.”