Common knowledge dictates that cats hate water. Don’t believe me? Throw a stick into a lake and see if your cat chases after it. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are no different. After being pounded by unseasonably cold and damp conditions yesterday, the players and coaches were clearly energized by the relatively warm, dry conditions on Monday morning.

"We had a better day today, the weather helped us a little bit," Ticats head coach Kent Austin said after practice. "It will be good when it warms up to get the guys in better shape, but we were crisper today."

While the Ticats will undoubtedly be forced to face the elements several times this CFL season, they were driven to seize the day as each player fights for his right to remain on the 2015 roster.

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Punch the Clock, Go to Work

The tone of practice had notably changed from the first day of camp. Gone were the hugs and smiles of opening day, replaced by the focus and anger you'd expect from a highly successful team over the last two seasons - a team starving to win their final game of the season for the first time in the new millennium. 

Less than ten minutes into the practice Austin was already making his change in direction verbally aware.

“Just so we understand (each other), we won't ever have our chinstrap undone, okay?" Austin bellowed at his charges.

He was matched in intensity and directness by the omnipresent voice of special teams coordinator Jeff Reinebold, who, during the day's opening individual positional group drills, continuously told his players to, “ask more of yourself." 

When asked about the change in tone leading to a more physical practice session, Austin stressed the commitment each player must make to practicing responsibly in a highly competitive camp environment.

 

“We want the proper amount of competitiveness," said Austin. "You still have a teammate. We're competing for jobs, but at the same time, we need to respect the players around you and know how to practice properly. No need for over the top hits and taking the guys to the ground, but we want our guys to be competitive."

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Greatness in Spurts

Through two days of training camp, the Tiger-Cats defence has feasted on its prey in every drill, except the ones that matter the most: 12-on-12.

The Hamilton coaching staff has structured practice in training camp 2015 to feature quick bursts of live action team competition featuring the best players on both sides of the ball. These rapid five-play segments of practice created an instant energy and enthusiasm in this morning practice, which at times seemed productive, yet too relaxed for Austin’s liking.

In the majority of 1-on-1 and partial team drills, such as inside run on Monday, the defence looked dominant. To begin running back CJ Gable’s inside run session, he completed a trifecta of running back strife and disappointment: Loss of yards, fumble and another loss of yards. 

This chain of events was in no way caused by Gable. The recently extended Ticats runner was harassed by an ever-imposing defensive line that has caught the eye of all in attendance through two days. Defensive tackle Brian Bulcke, who returns after a season-ending tear to his left bicep in 2014, admits that after his first-ever in-season injury he has pent up energy that he is eager to use.

Bulcke plays in a rotation that has redefined its goals in 2015.

“Last year, we did a really good job of feeling each other out and understanding who's good at what and this year we've come together with the understanding that we’re getting after the quarterback and that’s shown through two days,” said Bulcke after practice Monday.

 

Brian Bulcke appeared in only eight games last season before going down with injury.

 

The defensive line rotation is full of size talent and drive. While most of the defence has dominated in solo drills, the starting offence has operated smoothly against the full defence under the control of Zach Collaros. With a short week to prepare for the preseason opener against the Ottawa Redblacks (You can catch the action LIVE on June 8 at 7:30pm on Classic Hits 1150 CKOC ), Orlando Steinauer’s defence will need to come together quickly to play at the level of domination they have shown when separated in positional groups.

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Kicking and Screaming

When questioned on the importance of special teams, Canadian football traditionalists will without pause recall the phrase “special teams are one third of the game." While this statement is based in fact, when you have a team featuring Justin Medlock and Brandon "Speedy" Banks, special teams feel like much more than an equal partner.

While both standouts have been in camp for both days, special teams took central stage at Monday's practice. Banks will look to carry the momentum of his exceptional 2014 stretch run which, aside from a fourth-quarter block in the back would have during the Grey Cup that would have elevated Banks into eternal Hamilton lore.

Medlock, meanwhile, will look to once again establish himself as one of the best boots in the CFL. This season, Medlock will look to improve from 2014 when he placed 8th in league punting average at 41.9 yards per punt. On Monday, Medlock consistently stroked punts between 45-55 yards with an average hang time around 3.3 seconds. Stats asid,e he looked good after spending some quality time with long snapper Aaron Crawford alone on a side field.

 

Justin Medlock and Aaron Crawford put in work alone on Monday at practice.

 

If the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are to make their third-straight Grey Cup appearance, they will need to exploit all advantages. Special teams will need to be one of those advantages led by Banks and Medlock.

 

Marshall Ferguson, a former McMaster quarterback, covers the Tiger-Cats for Classic Hits 1150 CKOC in Hamilton - the future home of TSN Radio 1150. His CFL blogs and podcasts can be read and heard weekly on TSN.ca.