1. Brandon Banks’ play as a receiver
Brandon Banks was regularly targeted on Labour Day. He led the team in receptions and receiving yards by a wide margin. Banks recorded 98 receiving yards on 6 receptions. The next closest receiver was Luke Tasker with just 32 yards on the night. Banks averaged almost twenty yards per reception, and his longest of the night was 64 yards on a beautiful deep ball delivered expertly by Jeremiah Masoli.
Banks’ use as a receiver was complimented by his touches in the return game. Banks was the sole punt returner for the Ticats, returning three punts for a total of 23 yards. The kickoff returns were handled by a rotating door of Ticat players, especially CJ Gable.
Banks’ skillset compliments the way Head Coach June Jones likes to run his offence. Coach Jones is more likely to favour speed in a receiver over other qualities such as size or strength.
“If I was going to sacrifice anything, I’d sacrifice for speed,” says Coach Jones.
As Ticats fans are well aware, speed is something that Banks has in spades.
If the Labour Day game is any indication, Banks could play a different role in Coach Jones’ offence than in former coach and current vice president of football operations, Kent Austin’s system.
2. CJ Gable’s hard running
CJ Gable made the most of his touches on Labour Day. Gable was a force in the ground game. He had limited touches as he had just five carries on the night, but he averaged 7.2 yards per carry. Late in the fourth quarter, Gable also punched the ball in from the one, resulting in a touchdown and providing the Ticats with a three point lead. The Tiger-Cats would not relinquish that lead and eventually won the contest 24-22.
Gable also contributed in other ways throughout the night. He recorded 12 yards through the air on two receptions, and he was even a force in the return game, bringing three kickoff returns back for a total of 47 yards. His longest kickoff return was a hard-fought 22-yard return, where he churned his knees and powered downfield.
Similar to Banks, Gable’s physical skillset compliments Coach Jones’ system. If Coach Jones could mold a running back to his exact specifications, he would like a guy that blocks like a lineman, and runs like a little guy. Gable has always been known for his quarterback protection, and on Labour Day he proved his nimble downfield running.
3. Change pays dividends
The complexion of the Tiger-Cats’ roster is much different than it was to start the season. With June Jones taking over as Head Coach, John Chick and Jeff Reinebold departing, Jeremiah Masoli starting at quarterback, and a number of key international players signing with the team, the Ticats are a much different looking squad. On Labour Day at Tim Hortons Field, the fruits of those changes were finally realized, and the team was able to come away with its first victory of the season.
The Tiger-Cats hope they can continue to ride the wave of change, and turn the losing streak into a winning one.
