CFL honours two Ticats

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 4-7 on the season, seem to be rounding into form at the right time. They are sitting atop the east division with a game in hand on the Argos and the Alouettes who also have 4 wins. Today, two members of the Cats were recognized for their efforts in Saturday’s win over the Eskimos.

After missing five games with a concussion, Zach Collaros has returned with a vengeance. He has quarterbacked his team to three wins in his first four games back, and last Saturday, his 318 passing yards, one passing TD, and another on the ground, earned him the title of Offensive Player of the Week.

To what does he credit this comeback?: “Just feeling more comfortable — I know I am especially. Not thinking as much, just being able to go out there and play. That’s a testament to our coaching staff, and to the guy’s preparation. We’ve done a good job, especially this month.”

On defense, the mid-season transformation has also been remarkable — especially for Eric Norwood. When the team was suffering with a 1 and 5 record, Norwood was benched, and he sat-out three games until injury opened-up a spot for him on the defensive line. In his first six games, Norwood had made 14 tackles and two sacks. He made half as many tackles, and twice as many sacks on Saturday alone. When he was out, he says he worked hard on “the little things”: “Arm bars, different spin moves, just playing a more controlled game, not really a free for all, just under control within the scheme of the defense.”

Norwood is one of only three Ticats to record four or more sacks in a single game. Joe Montford did it twice, and Tim Cofield holds the record, with five.

Head Coach Kent Austin: “Yeah, you hope that guys will respond when they’re given another opportunity to dig in and compete and to honour the opportunity they’ve been given, and Eric certainly did that.”