When running back Ray Holley made the trip north for training camp with the Tiger-Cats, he knew the competition he’d be facing at the position would be tough.
CJ Gable, the Ticats’ number one back, managed just 138 rushing yards in 2014 due to multiple injuries, yet he remains one of the most talented all-around backs in the CFL.
Mossis Madu Jr. was the team’s leading rusher in 2014, putting forth 348 yards on the ground in his first season in the CFL.
Nic Grigsby proved in 2014 that he can be as talented as any back in the league, ranking third in rushing yards (890) and first in touchdowns (10).
Finally, Anthony Woodson, acquired from the Toronto Argonauts in the offseason, provides the team with a strong Canadian option at running back, bringing considerable pass-catching ability out of the backfield.
It was under these conditions that Holley arrived for his first Canadian practice, uncertain whether he would even make the roster. He was unknown, unproven and up against a number of backs who were anything but.
In his first practice at Ron Joyce Stadium, in the cold, biting wind and rain, Holley took to the field with no sleeves and no gloves on. Some spectators may have seen it as an attempt to prove himself to his teammates, but Holley says it was far from that.
“Team mistake is what that was,” says Holley, “That was, by far, the coldest I’ve ever played in my whole life…that was rough.”
Now nearly two weeks into camp and far removed from the cold weather, Holley has embedded himself in the competition for a position on the team, and even the starting role at tailback, due to a couple different factors.
For one, the Ticats’ running backs group was hit with multiple injuries. Mossis Madu’s shoulder injury is going to sideline him for the entirety of the 2015 campaign, while CJ Gable is currently not practicing due to a hand injury suffered early in camp.
More importantly than the injuries ahead of him, though, Holley has come into camp, put his head down and worked hard to establish himself as an indispensable player. He has run hard, spent time learning the playbook and flashed ability on the offence and in the return game.
“He’s come in with professionalism,” says running backs coach Corey Grant. “I can tell that he’s catching on and he’s studying, and that’s really important because of how complicated the running back position is with protection and routes.”
As Grant explains, the Tiger-Cats ask a lot of their running backs, especially in the passing game, and while he’s made a few mistakes, coach Grant says that Holley has done a good job of correcting those, and he’s been up to each of the duties he’s been tasked with, including punt return.
In college, Holley did not play a role on special teams because his coaches wanted him healthy for offensive duty, but he’s embracing the opportunity to return kicks and punts with the Ticats.
“I’m getting a little more of an opportunity to show my return game,” says Holley, “so that’s a great thing for me and I think that’s a chance for me to earn a spot.”
On top of his ability in the return game and his willingness to play special teams, Holley has displayed the ability to run well in the Ticats’ zone scheme, similar to the one that he was part of at Louisiana Tech in college.
Leading up to Louisiana Tech, Holley had not been experienced in running zone plays after a high school career in a downhill running offence, but his experience there has made his transition into the Ticats offence much quicker.
“Since I had a little bit of experience in college, it’s been helping a lot, I feel comfortable,” explains Holley, “it feels similar to what I’m used to.”
Head coach Kent Austin has taken notice of Holley’s play in camp as well, praising the running back for his vision on zone runs, as well as his ability to catch the ball and catch passes out of the backfield. According to coach Grant, the latter two are two of the most important aspects of playing running back in the ‘Cats offence.
“In our offence, you need to be able to catch the ball,” said running backs coach Corey Grant. “They need to protect first, and after that they definitely have to be able to catch.”