Ask Ticat head coach Marcel Bellefeuille about his game plan to beat the Argonauts, about his success in containing both the Toronto running game and their spectacular return man in three victories over their arch rivals this season, and all you get is a low chuckle and wan smile.
?You just asked me questions I?m not in any way prepared to answer,? Bellefeuille said.
While one can hardly be surprised by a CFL coach?s reluctance to discuss strategy on the eve of a playoff game ? the East Division semifinal goes Sunday afternoon at Ivor Wynne Stadium ? there?s little doubt the formula remains the same: contain running back Cory Boyd and returner Chad Owens.
And if Bellefeuille won?t say it, then defensive end Stevie Baggs will.
?It?s no military secret ? you have to stop No. 3 (Boyd) and you have to control No. 2 (Owens) in the special team game and on offence, because he is an explosive player,? Baggs said. ?The main thing about any team is that you want to make them one-dimensional. And so, if you know their strengths and weaknesses, that helps in your preparation.?
The Cat defence limited Boyd to an average of just 54 yards on the ground in their three regular-season meetings, and kept the Owens off the scoresheet. Baggs said limiting their big play threats puts additional pressure on first-year CFL quarterback Cleo Lemon, who has thrown more interceptions (19) than touchdowns (15) since coming up from the NFL.
?They?ve put Lemon in position not to make mistakes, and to control the game; they aren?t asking him to do a whole lot,? Baggs said.
But Bellefeuille downplayed any significance his squad?s regular season dominance might have now that the win-to-stay-in portion of the schedule has begun.
?I don?t think how we?ve played against each other will make a difference psychologically,? Bellefeuille said. ?At this point in the season, you have to draw from all the lessons you?ve learned throughout the year, positive or negative, and those are the things that are going to shape how you prepare and how you play.?
The Argos have enjoyed a remarkable season under first-year head coach Jim Barker, who turned a team that finished an ugly 3-15 just a year ago into a 9-9 playoff contender. He did it by overhauling both the roster and the coaching staff, and injecting some much-needed confidence.
?I think we?re at a point where our players believe they can play with anyone in the league, and now it?s a matter of going out and showing that they can do it,? Barker said.
One of the new members of Barker?s staff is Ticat nemesis Mike O?Shea, who has shown a penchant for the razzle-dazzle as special teams coordinator. The Argos have run five fakes this season and have been successful on every one.
?Toronto is very crafty with their trick plays,? said Baggs, who also plays special teams. ?They haven?t run them in a couple weeks ? and we know why. They?re saving them for the playoffs.?
?You just asked me questions I?m not in any way prepared to answer,? Bellefeuille said.
While one can hardly be surprised by a CFL coach?s reluctance to discuss strategy on the eve of a playoff game ? the East Division semifinal goes Sunday afternoon at Ivor Wynne Stadium ? there?s little doubt the formula remains the same: contain running back Cory Boyd and returner Chad Owens.
And if Bellefeuille won?t say it, then defensive end Stevie Baggs will.
?It?s no military secret ? you have to stop No. 3 (Boyd) and you have to control No. 2 (Owens) in the special team game and on offence, because he is an explosive player,? Baggs said. ?The main thing about any team is that you want to make them one-dimensional. And so, if you know their strengths and weaknesses, that helps in your preparation.?
The Cat defence limited Boyd to an average of just 54 yards on the ground in their three regular-season meetings, and kept the Owens off the scoresheet. Baggs said limiting their big play threats puts additional pressure on first-year CFL quarterback Cleo Lemon, who has thrown more interceptions (19) than touchdowns (15) since coming up from the NFL.
?They?ve put Lemon in position not to make mistakes, and to control the game; they aren?t asking him to do a whole lot,? Baggs said.
But Bellefeuille downplayed any significance his squad?s regular season dominance might have now that the win-to-stay-in portion of the schedule has begun.
?I don?t think how we?ve played against each other will make a difference psychologically,? Bellefeuille said. ?At this point in the season, you have to draw from all the lessons you?ve learned throughout the year, positive or negative, and those are the things that are going to shape how you prepare and how you play.?
The Argos have enjoyed a remarkable season under first-year head coach Jim Barker, who turned a team that finished an ugly 3-15 just a year ago into a 9-9 playoff contender. He did it by overhauling both the roster and the coaching staff, and injecting some much-needed confidence.
?I think we?re at a point where our players believe they can play with anyone in the league, and now it?s a matter of going out and showing that they can do it,? Barker said.
One of the new members of Barker?s staff is Ticat nemesis Mike O?Shea, who has shown a penchant for the razzle-dazzle as special teams coordinator. The Argos have run five fakes this season and have been successful on every one.
?Toronto is very crafty with their trick plays,? said Baggs, who also plays special teams. ?They haven?t run them in a couple weeks ? and we know why. They?re saving them for the playoffs.?
