Opportunity knocks for Adrian Tracy

Opportunity has knocked once again for Ticats defensive end Adrian Tracy.

With the team’s sack leader Eric Norwood headed to the six-game injured list after last week’s game, the CFL rookie will make a return from an injury of his own and get another chance to make a name for himself.

Tracy, who played in two of the team’s early road games against Winnipeg and Saskatchewan, will now get a second shot to contribute on the dynamic defensive line in Norwood’s stead.

“Wood, Hick, Ted, B-Hall, they’re great players. I’m just trying to get in, carve my own little niche and contribute to this team,” said Tracy.

After a dominant preseason for the Ticats, the William & Mary alumni saw action in two of the team’s first four games, accumulating six tackles and a pass knockdown in the two contests.

Spending the following five games on the team’s injured list was tough for Tracy, and he’s raring to be back healthy and on the field for Monday’s game. When asked how he stayed motivated in the time off, the fiery competitor explained that it didn’t take much to keep him driven to play.

“When I’m not able to compete, I know for me it starts to sit in my stomach and it burns a little fire,” explained Tracy, “It’s something that I’ve been holding onto for awhile and hopefully I can get out there and showcase that.”

Replacing the production of Norwood is no small task, but Tracy acknowledged that it will be a team effort on the defensive line and noted that his style of play differs somewhat from Norwood’s.

“His skill set is suited for him and mine is suited for myself, but I do think that we try to pick a couple things from each other that we can add to our own games,” said Tracy.

Defensive line coach Dennis McPhee also paid homage to the difficulty replacing a player like Norwood in the lineup, but he had plenty of praise for Tracy and noted that if anyone was up to the task it was him.

“He’s very bright and he picks things up very quickly”, said McPhee of Tracy. “Number two, he wants to be good and he works at it.”

Prior to his foray in the Canadian game, Tracy spent four seasons in the NFL as a hybrid defensive end and outside linebacker. Probably best suited as a 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end, he expected to play exclusively defensive end for the Ticats, but Coach Steinauer unorthodox and intricate defensive schemes have been a welcome surprise for Tracy.

“I came up here thinking I’d be strictly a defensive end,” said Tracy, “but with Coach O’s scheme you can be anywhere on the field at any time…everybody has a piece and it’s just a matter of learning that and finding out where you fit in and what you can contribute to the team.

Tracy assimilated to the Canadian game quickly upon his arrival, and Coach McPhee has seen notable progression in his game since training camp.

“He understands formations and what may happen before it happens because of what he sees in film study,” explained McPhee. “He’s not one dimensional, he’s developed a portfolio of pass rush moves so he can change things up on you.”

While Monday’s game won’t be Tracy’s first in the CFL, it will be his first home game in the Black and Gold. After experiencing the rowdy atmosphere at Tim Hortons Field more than once from the sidelines, he’s more than ready to to make his home debut.

“Coach has been saying how big this game is, not only for our season and the fight for first in the East, but with the history of the CFL overall,” said Tracy. “With this being my first home game, it’s definitely a blessing and I hope I can come out and contribute.”