HAMILTON – At 7-10, the Ticats — who some favoured to win the East and make a serious run at the Grey Cup — took until late October to clinch a playoff spot. Granted, Kent Austin’s football team has faced some serious injuries including two to star quarterback Zach Collaros.
At 6-11, it’s only been a respectable final third of the season that has saved the Montreal Alouettes from falling below that.
There’s been some kind of change around the Montreal Alouettes the past two weeks.
The Als are a respectable 3-2 since Jacques Chapdelaine replaced Jim Popp as head coach in late September.
As is, Montreal has managed to claw back from a 4-11 record with a pair of defensive victories against Saskatchewan and the Calgary Stampeders.
Now, as veteran slotback Nik Lewis puts it, it’s about “putting money in the bank” for Montreal’s players.
“The offseason’s hard, because you put in a lot of hard work and don’t see any pay,” Lewis explained to MontrealAlouettes.com. “You put your money in the bank, then during the season you’ve gotta spend it, even if things don’t go your way. You still got that money in the bank, so spend it.”
As for today’s season finale at Tim Hortons Field, Lewis stressed that jobs are still very much on the line.
“It’s always great to end the season on the high note, it gives you hope and something to look forward to,” said Lewis. “You want as many guys to come back as possible, to have that continuity. It’s big, it’s the last impression you have (before) changes are made in the off-season. Last chance to stake your claim for next year.”
Lewis will have a job anywhere in the league next season if he wants one. At 34, the veteran CFLer has eclipsed the 1,000 receiving yard-mark for the first time since 2012 and has adjusted to his role in the Als offence superbly.
Five Montreal players were nominated for league awards: Bear Woods (team, defence), Sam Giguere (Canadian), Kristian Matte (offensive line), Stefan Logan (special teams) and Jonathon Mincy (rookie).
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be looking to hop back into the win column last week following a disappointing 29-26 defeat against Edmonton in Week 19.
While the Tabbies know their playoff fate — a home game in the East Division Semi-Final — Kent Austin’s team is focused on improving this week.
“I think every game, if you look at it individually, we challenge our guys to continually improve,” Austin told Ticats.ca. “As a team, we’ve talked a lot about playing well going into the playoffs, and what that looks like. Outside of that, you want to win the football game because you want to have a positive feeling going into the playoffs.”
Hamilton will shuffle its roster around this afternoon, making changes from the team that lost to Edmonton last week. Simoni Lawrence, Adrian Tracy, Emanuel Davis and Michael Atkinson are among those not participating this week while Keon Raymond, Brandon Banks (back from suspension) and Justin Capicciotti are among those who will see action this week.
“We’re going to make some lineup changes, but the approach hasn’t changed,” said Austin. “The prerequisite of playing well, and ensuring you’re prepared to win, that doesn’t change.”
As for the situation that the Bombers find themselves in, Austin says that a playoff team is a playoff team, no matter what.
“As a coach and football team, you just want to get in the playoffs, regardless,” explained Austin, who will make eight changes to the roster that lost to Edmonton last week. “Whether you’re crossing over or on your side (of the bracket), you just want to make the playoffs.”
