1. The Ticats defensive game plan could change for DeMarco, Campbell expects Burris to play
The Redblacks’ success this season has been due in large part to the strong play of veteran quarterback Henry Burris. In his 16th season in the CFL, Burris leads the league with 5,148 passing yards, while setting a career-high in completion percentage (71.8%).
Burris was a limited participant for the second straight practice on Thursday, leading to speculation that the Redblacks may have to start backup Thomas DeMarco in Sunday’s game.
DeMarco, a fourth-year CFLer out of Dominion College, is in his second season with Ottawa and has taken all the first-team offensive reps this week. Previously with the BC Lions, he has a career 70.1 quarterback rating, passing for 1,559 yards, 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with a 53% completion percentage.
Ticats coach Kent Austin did not open up much on the topic, but did admit that the team might “tailor” their game plan differently if they were to face DeMarco as opposed to Burris.
Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell did not seem worried about his veteran starter’s status for Sunday’s game, stating that the team would evaluate Burris again tomorrow, but “all indications are [that] he’ll be good to go.”
“We just want to make sure we get him as healthy as we can get him,” said Campbell, “and we’ll see tomorrow where he’s at.”
In other Redblacks injury news, Ottawa’s coach admitted that defensive back Jerrell Gavins is unlikely to play in the first of the Ticats and Redblacks home-and-home. Gavins has four interceptions and 40 tackles this season, his second in Ottawa.
2. Grant on track to play against Redblacks, Figueroa could return as well
Bakari Grant made his return to the Ticats lineup in Week 15 against the Calgary Stampeders after missing nine weeks with a lower body injury. Grant was sidelined just two games later with another injury, but it looks as though he will return to action against the Redblacks on Sunday.
Bakari, who has made 30 receptions for 447 yards and four touchdowns in eight games this season, has been back practicing with the first-team offence at practice this week.
“It’s looking good for Bakari right now, so that’s a real positive for us,” said Coach Austin.
In other injury news, offensive tackle Joel Figueroa was practicing with the first-team offence on Thursday as well, suggesting that he may be ready to play in Week 19.
Coach Austin was optimistic about having Figueroa back in the lineup on Sunday, but advised caution in assuming that the three-year vet would be suiting up.
“I wouldn’t say for sure he’s in, but he’s looking pretty positive as well,” said Austin. “The good news is that he’s been with us, so assuming that he got through today fine and he’s ready to play, we’ll trust that he’ll play well.”
3. Austin very confident in Medlock’s ability
In media availability on Thursday, Coach Austin spoke to the effectiveness of the Ticats veteran kicker who is currently third in the CFL with an 88.4% success rate on field goals.
Medlock, a five-year CFL vet, is the league’s all-time leading field goal kicker and has been the top kicker from the CFL’s extended extra-point distance in 2015 (94.0%). With 167 points this season, Medlock has at least 29 more points than any other CFL kicker.
The Ticats head coach exuded confidence in Medlock, acknowledging the trust he has in the veteran kicker’s judgement of his own limits.
“I have tremendous faith in putting him out there,” said Austin. “If he tells me he’s good from a particular distance, I don’t even question it.”
