Special teams players are often the under-appreciated warriors on the field.
The contributions of the players who line up on kickoffs, punts and extra points are often overlooked, but their play is often of utmost importance to the outcome of each game.
The job is not glamorous—special teams is not often where players make a name for themselves—but how a team plays on special teams will tell you everything you need to know about the team.
That mantra rings true with the Tiger-Cats, whose recent success has been in no small part due to a hungry, aggressive and effective special teams unit.
“We always try to take pride in what we do,” explains Arnaud Gascon-Nadon. “We know what we’re able to do…we think we can always change the game.”
Gascon-Nadon was part of a game-changing play in last week’s game against the Bombers, when he got a hand on a first-quarter punt to set the Ticats offence up with excellent field position and an ensuing touchdown.
Just six plays later, rookie Jay Langa raced downfield on a kickoff, beating everyone to the live ball and yet again setting the offence up with ideal field position.
It’s safe to say the Ticats specials units are meeting their mandate of changing games, but that comes as no surprise to their leader, special teams coordinator Jeff Reinebold, who believes very strongly in the composition of the current team’s roster.
“When we turned over the roster and Kent [Austin] came in here, there was a mandate to and from our front office to go out and get young, hungry, tough guys who were unselfish,” said special teams coordinator Jeff Reinebold.
Reinebold expects those qualities out of every player who steps on the field for his special teams—the ability to run, toughness, a hunger to play and perform, and unselfishness. He demands it in the players, but he gives all the credit to the personnel department who brought the current group of players to Hamilton.
“It’s infectious throughout our football team, we’ve got great people,” says Reinebold. “Whatever is the best, we want to be the best; anything less than that, that’s just not the way we think.”
Upon being drafted, Jay Langa received a text from former St. Mary’s teammate Neil King, it read “welcome to the best special teams team in the league.” At the time, Langa was uncertain of what to expect, but he fully understands now.
“At first, I didn’t understand it,” says Langa, “but now I understand what he meant and how Jeff gets everyone to buy in. He’s definitely the best special teams coach I’ve had in my career.”
Coach Reinebold exudes confidence in his players, and it’s an infectious attitude that the players effortlessly reciprocate towards their leader.
“The best special teams coordinator is usually a guy that players want to play for,” explains Gascon-Nadon, “they’ll give their body for him, they’ll do anything for him.”
Ask any player who plays for him, and they’ll tell you that’s exactly the coach that Reinebold is, a guy who they’re willing to lay it on the line for.
“Jeff is a one of a kind coach that I’ve had in this league,” says Stewart. “He makes it fun for us, but at the same time it’s business. Jeff is full of energy, he’s exciting, he holds everybody accountable and we like playing for him.”