Tiger-Cats planning ground and pound attack

HAMILTON, Ont. -- Marcel Bellefeuille isn't about to mess with success.

An improved ground attack was instrumental in Hamilton's stunning 52-44 overtime East Division semifinal win last weekend over the Montreal Alouettes. The Tiger-Cats head coach says establishing the run will be crucial for his club in the conference final Sunday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"It (running the football) is something we felt we needed to do in the playoffs to have success, especially against the teams we're playing," Bellefeuille said Thursday. "Going into Winnipeg, being outdoors and considering how stout a defence they are we're going to have to mount some kind of ground game, especially when you're going against the wind."

Windy conditions are always a factor in Winnipeg, but especially so in late fall when they combine with cold temperatures to make Canad Inns Stadium very inhospitable. The Ticats got a small dose of that Thursday as they practised in cold, breezy weather with piped-in crowd noise at Ivor Wynne Stadium to simulate conditions they'll face Sunday before a sellout crowd in the Manitoba capital.

"These were excellent conditions in terms of being able to practise with and against the wind with offence, defence and special teams and having noise," Bellefeuille said. "The conditions we'll face Sunday might be a little colder, but it was very similar."

Bitter cold and wind can wreak havoc on an offence's ability to pass, so establishing the ground game becomes very significant.

Hamilton certainly proved that against Montreal. After finishing the regular season averaging a league-low 90 yards rushing per game, Hamilton had 161 yards on 23 carries (seven-yard average) against a Montreal defence that allowed a CFL-best 92.4 yards on the ground.

Hamilton also scored four rushing TDs against Montreal, including Quinton Porter's one-yard run in overtime -- his second of the game.

Veteran Avon Cobourne, who joined Hamilton as a free agent prior to this season after helping Montreal win consecutive Grey Cups, led the way with 97 yards on 14 carries. He also had an important 46-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.

"I think that's going to be a key because we haven't run the ball well against them (Bombers) at all this year," Cobourne said. "If we can run the ball well I think it will take a lot of stress off our receivers and quarterbacks.

"If we can knuckle down and ball up and run the football I think it will make them change their whole game plan."

Hamilton has had difficulty against Winnipeg this season. The Bombers swept the season series 3-0 and limited the Ticats to 237 yards rushing, an average of 79 per game.

Cobourne finished fourth among CFL rushers with 961 yards and eight TDs. But he had 178 yards and no touchdowns on 38 carries (4.7-yard average) in Hamilton's three games against Winnipeg.

Running against Winnipeg won't be easy. The unit was a respectable third in rush defence (101.2 yards per game).

But it's imperative an offence try and establish the run at Canad Inns Stadium, and not just to counteract Mother Nature.

Winnipeg's defence has thrived in forcing opponents into second-and-long, must-pass situations. The Bombers not only have the CFL's top pass defence (233.1 yards per game) but also led the league in sacks (55) and interceptions (25).

Defensive end Odell Willis finished tied with Hamilton's Justin Hickman for the CFL lead in sacks (13 each). But defensive ends Kenny Mainor (eight) and Jason Vega (seven) were also pass-rushing threats.

Cornerback Jovon Johnson, the East Division nominee as outstanding defensive player, had a league-high eight interceptions, returning two for TDs.

"First-down production will be key," Bellefeuille said. "You don't want to be in a lot of second-and-long situations against those guys.

"They get a lot of their turnover takeaways when you're having to force the ball downfield and they're teeing off and getting pressure. What you do on first down is going to be very important."

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 18, 2011 C2