By: Jack B. Bedell,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Week 17: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Lost in all the attention paid to some of the CFL’s other elite passers, Kevin Glenn has quietly put together a career year for the Ticats this season. Heading into week 17, Glenn’s on pace to throw for more than 5000 yards and 30 TDs by season’s end.
Currently, Glenn ranks second in the CFL in passing yardage with 4358 yards, second in completion percentage among active QBs at 66.1%, and third in QB efficiency with a rating of 98.1.
Without a doubt, a good bit of the Ticats’ success offensively is due to Glenn’s ability to make quick, intelligent decisions and to get the ball out accurately to a growing list of playmakers in Hamilton.
Cats on the run
Thanks to Glenn’s accuracy and decision-making, three Ticats’ receivers rank in the top 11 for passing yards in the league. Arland Bruce III tops the list with 1,291 yards, former-Alouette Dave Stala is tenth on the list with 920 yards, and Marquay McDaniels is one spot lower with 890 yards.
Unlike a few of the dangerous quarterbacks the Als’ defence has faced recently, the key to limiting Glenn’s effectiveness is not containing him in the pocket. Glenn does his damage from within the “tackle box” by hitting receivers in rhythm much like Anthony Calvillo.
Disrupting Glenn’s rhythm by forcing him to hold onto his throws a bit longer than he’d like, either through pressure or through coverage off the line of scrimmage, will be the Alouettes’ best chance at short-circuiting the Ticats’ offensive attack.
The combination of Glenn’s quick release and the athleticism of Bruce and company put a ton of pressure on Alouettes’ defensive backs to defend quick slant routes and to fight through all the rub routes Hamilton runs to get free releases off the line of scrimmage for their receivers.
It’s no coincidence that Arland Bruce and Dave Stala are near the top of the CFL’s list in second-down conversions. Both receivers work well in tandem routes and gain good yards-after-catch, turning Glenn’s short throws into big plays.
Difference makers
The onus for stopping Hamilton’s quick-hit passing game this weekend will fall squarely on Als’ halfbacks Mark Estelle and Billy Parker. Every pass slapped down and every immediate tackle will take yards off the Ticats’ ledger. And those kinds of sticky plays by Estelle and Parker will no doubt force the Ticats off what’s been a successful game plan for them all season long.
Like Calvillo, Glenn is a savvy, veteran pivot who’s seen every coverage there is to see in the CFL. In the past, he’s had great success against zone coverage, and he’s had success against pressure. This weekend, I’m very interested to see if the Alouettes can get Glenn off his game with tight, pesky coverage.
If Estelle and Parker can make their share of plays when the ball is in the air, I have a feeling it’s going to be a long day for Glenn and the Ticats’ offence.
The Alouettes will face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Ivor Wynne Stadium Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. (RDSHD, TSNHD, NRJ, CJAD 800).
