Steve Milton: This works for Ticats: Tim White will play
No news can be good news. In this case, for the Tiger-Cats and their most ardent fans, it can be really good news.
Tim White is OK.
The Ticats' versatile receiver was on the field Tuesday as the Ticats held an extra practice in preparation for Sunday night's date in Toronto against the Grey Cup champion Argonauts.
White, who led the CFL in receptions and targets last season, and can also carry the ball on running plays, did not return to Friday night's season-opening loss in Winnipeg after scoring the offence's first touchdown with three minutes to go in the fourth quarter. He leapt high to win a jump ball in traffic right at the dead ball line, was hit hard and crashed to the turf, apparently injuring his neck and shoulder.
I'm doing fine, I'm feeling really good," White said Tuesday. I went out there today and ran some routes and felt pretty good. For sure, I'll be ready (for the Argos)."
By the end of the opening game, the Ticats had lost both of their right tackles - American starter Tyrone Riley and Canadian Kyle Saxelid who replaced him - and had to finish the final three offensive plays with defensive tackle Casey Sayles at right guard, so all-star right guard Brandon Revenberg could move outside to the unfamiliar tackle position.
Neither Saxelid nor Riley took part in action Tuesday. Saxelid was on the sidelines and Riley wasn't even on the field, but head coach Orlondo Steinauer said we're afforded the extra day this week. As far as we know we'll be status quo there and we'll start (Sunday) with the same tackles."
Safety Tunde Adeleke, who appeared to injure his leg during the opener but eventually returned to the game, was on the field and Steinauer said he will be ready to go on the weekend.
White and quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell could not connect during the first half, with only one reception in seven attempts, but the receiver said that was attributable to first-game jitters: We want every play to go exactly how it's supposed to go, and when it doesn't connect early sometimes that can derail you. I felt like we went back to the locker-room and came out in the second half and connected."
White also said the jump ball victory in the end zone was good for both White's confidence and for Mitchell's confidence that the receiver can make those kinds of plays under intense physical pressure.
You don't really see those plays in practice," said White, who praised Mitchell's calmness despite a struggling first half. I feel like we've been on the same page and we just have to do it more in games."
Cats Clauses: The Ticats signed American DL Jarrod Hewitt and RB/receiver Tyreik McAllister ... they also released American DL Nyles Pinckney and veteran Canadian DL Kwaku Boateng, one of their big off-season signings.
Steve Milton is a Hamilton-based sports columnist at The Spectator. Reach him via email: smilton@thespec.com