The Tiger-Cats are 4-3 since Labour Day when June Jones took over as Head Coach. In that time, the Ticats have increased their scoring, improved their defence, and won more than they’ve lost.
The wins have been nail-biters and the same goes for the losses. What was four wins for the Cats could easily have been seven, as the losses were decided by a last-second play in the end zone, an overtime touchdown, and a last-second pass interference call.
The wins included a convincing road victory over the 11-4 Blue Bombers.
It would be difficult to argue that the Ticats weren’t one of the league’s better teams for that stretch of time.
So it was a bitter pill to swallow when the Ticats were eliminated from playoff contention last Friday. At least, for the same reason, the 2018 season looks promising.
In the Ticats’ upcoming games, fans can look forward to watching the continued growth of rookie talent, such as defensive back Richard Leonard. They can also look forward to watching the continued growth of the team as a whole.
Head Coach June Jones was firm about his philosophy coming into Friday’s game.
“We’re gonna play the best guys that give us the best chance to win games,” he said.
When asked if he would be looking ahead to next year, Coach Jones responded, “I’m not, and I don’t see that happening on the field. I think I owe that to the players that are here.”
Coach Jones made those comments in light of speculation that he would use the upcoming games to evaluate new talent. In previous weeks, Coach Jones had stated the following:
“We’ve got a couple guys that are looking very good that we brought in, that I’d like to get up as soon as I can, but until they understand what we’re doing, it’s hard to inject them in there,” said Coach Jones at practice last week. “But with every week they’re here, they get a little closer.”
For a 30-day period, 30-days after NFL roster cut-down day, the CFL expands its practice rosters from 10 to 15 players. The Ticats added five players to coincide with that expansion. Dane Evans, Jamal Robinson, Lucas Wacha, and Dante Blackmon were all brought into the fold in early October and are still with the team.
Considering Coach Jones’ most recent quotes, it would appear that those players will only see the field if they truly earn the spot. For Tiger-Cats fans, Coach Jones’ statements mean that the on-field product should not decline in the coming weeks.
“I can see it in their eyes when I talk to them. They’re plugged in. they’re not just gonna show up to the game, they’re gonna play,” said Coach Jones. “I would be disappointed if we don’t talk a step and play our best game this week. I’ll be thoroughly disappointed in that.”
And considering the situation, it does make sense for Coach Jones to take that perspective.
“I’m evaluated on how many [games] I win,” he added.
The Alouettes will be in a similar situation as the Ticats, although whether they choose to take the same approach is in question. There are whispers around the Als’ locker room that the team has given up. If that is the case in Montreal, there is a greater likelihood that management will spend the remainder of the season evaluating players for next season’s training camp.
The Als will likely be trying some different faces at quarterback. Can Drew Willy return to starting status in this league? Can the rookie, Matthew Shiltz, live up to the flashes he has displayed in limited reps this season?
The Als’ front seven are aging, and Montreal is home to the worst run defence in the league. Since Labour Day, the Als have allowed 153.17 rush yards per game.
Perhaps Alex Green and the Ticats’ reinvigorated rushing attack will be able to exploit that part of Montreal’s game.
This Sunday’s game against the Alouettes doesn’t matter in the standings, but it does matter. It matters for Coach Jones, and it matters for the players. It matters for the fans, and it matters for the Ticats team of tomorrow.
The Ticats have been a resilient team this year. Abiding by the CFL slogan, in the next three games, the Ticats will prove what they’re made of.
