Last week the Tiger-Cats were able to pull out their first win of the 2022 season with a late touchdown at home against the Ottawa Redblacks. This week Hamilton hopes to keep building on that success as they prepare to travel to play the BC Lions. Tim White talked about last week, “that was a challenge for us, and we were able to pass”, but he also mentioned, “we want to eliminate the adversity, we want to eliminate the turnovers.” The adversity White was referring to is the turnover problem that has plagued the Tiger-Cats in the first five games of the 2022 season. If the Tiger-Cats want to take the next step and beat a high-quality team, like the BC Lions, they will need to eliminate the turnovers and look for ways to produce explosive plays. Head coach Orlondo Steinauer said, “we will be innovative and creative and do what we need to do to win the game.”
As the Tiger-Cats prepare to face the Lions they face several challenges. The obvious challenges are things the Tiger-Cats control, eliminating turnovers, protecting the quarterback, and finding ways to score consistently, especially in the red zone. Bralon Addison said, “we try to make every play that we can, sometimes we do and sometimes we don’t, but we have to be more consistent.” There are other obstacles as well, a short week of preparation, playing on the road against a West division opponent, and distractions that occur as a team is making adjustments to get better. But the Tiger-Cats have to focus on what they can do to get better, Alden Darby Jr. said “we have to just keep working and the results are gonna happen.” Darby Jr. also addressed the short week preparation “nobody’s giving us brownie points for a short week, we have to be ready to do our job.” If every Tiger-Cats coach and player can get their job done, then they will give themselves a chance to earn a big win out west against the BC Lions.
Mid-Week Injury Report
For the first time in the 2022 season defensive back Cariel Brooks (back) and offensive lineman Lemar Durant (hand) have been able to fully participate in practice. Both of these players would successfully improve the Tiger-Cats depth at defensive back and on the offensive line. Defensive lineman Autry Lee, punter Jon Ryan, and running back Wes Hills have also been cleared to practice but have been labeled as healthy scratches during practice so far this week. Several Tiger-Cats have not been able to practice so far this week, offensive lineman Kyle Saxelid (ankle), wide receiver Papi White (back), wide receiver Anthony Johnson (hand), linebacker Nic Cross (knee), linebacker Simoni Lawrence (groin), and defensive lineman Mo Diallo (foot). Despite these injuries, the Tiger-Cats will need to work to maximize their available players so that they have a chance to compete at a high level this Thursday, July 21st at 10 pm on the road against the BC Lions.
Follow me on Twitter: @AaronSauter7
