Apparently not playing and according to what I heard from Coach Sal on Ticats Today might be a bit dinged up.
I think we're all going to need a little "cheat sheet" to figure out who's on the field past the first quarter or so!
First thing that jumped out at me was Kanneh at the corner and Unamba backup at SAM. I hope this is just for a preseason game; Kanneh and Leonard have to be the starting HBs, with Unamba as one corner.
I am presuming that the 'sell-out' includes all the freebie seats given away for this game. Cats going all out to present the best face tomorrow, I'm thinking. Lots of attention.
qb - Vernon Adams
rb - Sean Thomas Erlington
rb - Alex Green (suspended)
wr - Shamawd Chambers
wr - Terence Toliver (Veteran Exempt List)
ot - Ryker Mathews
ol - Mathieu Girard
Defence
de - Adrian Tracy dt - Justin Vaugan lb - Terrell Davis db - Jay Langa db - Demond Washington db - Mariel Cooper
If the freebies show up it’s because they are interested in our team and that includes Johnny Manziel. This is a good thing for the tiger-cats and all of us. If everyone shows up and creates some atmosphere it should be be more than a mundane exhibition game.
It seemed to me that most of Leonard's standout plays last year were at corner, and once he switched to half he was good but not quite as outstanding. I guess I'm thinking about interceptions in particular.
With all due respect to all CB's... it's simply an easier position to play than HB. Leonard is very talented, and I suspect that by now he feels very comfortable at HB.
I'm looking forward to seeing how he does tonight (actually Sunday when I get a chance to watch the game). While I don't expect him to be one of those breakaway-speed backs, I suspect he's able to crash the line to get 5+ yard average, which wouldn't be too bad, especially in a ball possession situation.
My biggest question is how well he pass-blocks. Anyone seen how he's been doing at this in training camp?
No I have not, but he will be playing both ways plus teams I would assume. He was a fullback in the NFL and I would tend to think he's a bulldozer which is fine but that style of play takes a toll
I'm hoping he turns out to be a George Reed, Mike Pringle, Jerome Messam type runner. (You never know.) But yes, that type of running can take a toll on the running back, although being only 5'10" it might not be that bad. And it also takes a toll on the defenders, so by the end of games, they might be a bit sore too and less likely to hit him from the front.
All the RBs you mentioned had long and productive careers. Big RBs seem to be what coach Jones preferes. Smith 228 LBS (But looks heavier), Whitlock 250 LBS, Storm Johnston 228 lbs,Taliaferro 232 lbs, even Timmis is 220 lbs