The Tiger-Cats may have found the solution to trap the Montreal Alouettes, but Jason Maas’ squad will be ready for any eventuality, swears the head coach.
For several weeks, the Tiger-Cats have been playing with two quarterbacks. The rotation between Matthew Shiltz and Bo Levi Mitchell, in the middle of the match, allowed Hamilton to gain a certain momentum. At the very least, they have found a method that seems to work for them.
They lost their last two games by two and three points. And they had won their two previous meetings. The preparation is therefore doubled for the Alouettes’ defensive unit, because it must study two quarters. The task is all the more complex because Shiltz and Mitchell are two players with different identities.
“Both are really good players,” linebacker Tyrice Beverette insisted, however, during a meeting with the media on Friday.
“They bring something different. Shiltz is a dynamic runner and efficient passer. Bo Levi is a very good veteran and he knows what it takes to win. It will be a good challenge. Both have good things to offer, but we will be prepared,” he added.
And Cody Fajardo didn’t look worried. The quarterback is confident that the defensive unit will get the job done, because it has done it all season: “Our defense is really, really good. I play against them every day in practice. We won a lot of games thanks to our defense. »
A good defensive front
Fajardo will, however, face a very effective defensive line from the Tiger-Cats. “Their defensive line is their greatest strength,” he made it clear. I’ve been playing against her for several seasons. So we must be able to limit them, to tire them out. »
Offensive lineman Kristian Matte is also aware of the challenge he and his teammates will face. He identified Ted Laurent, Malik Carney, Casey Sayles as potential problems, but stopped himself. “I can’t name them all, because they’re all good! »
On the other hand, “we are good too,” he said. And we know it. We just have to work harder than them and limit our mistakes. If we do that, things will go well. »
However, the Montreal offensive line will be without Pier-Oliver Lestage, injured during the last regular season game.
The absence of the Quebecer, the unit’s player par excellence, is considerable. But Matte relies on the depth of the team for some comfort. “It’ll do something.” He was our MVP this year, he’s improved a lot. But we have a lot of good reserves. »
And as the Tiger-Cats will arrive in Montreal with the knife between their teeth, we will have to expect an extremely close match, promised Fajardo and Maas.
The quarterback is certain to see the game resolved only in the last three minutes of the fourth quarter. “As in all important CFL games! »
If this is the case, he will be ready, because the Alouettes have been preparing since the start of the season for this kind of moment: “That’s when we see what teams are up to. »
Word from Jason Maas, if the Alouettes are pushed to their limits, his men will be able to put things into perspective: “We did well in the face of adversity. And we have a good capacity to forget. I know that no matter what happens, we will be able to handle it well. »