Ticats’ Addison no secret to Ottawa
OTTAWA — Bralon Addison won’t have the element of surprise working for him when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats face the Ottawa Redblacks in the CFL’s East Division final today.
The five-foot-nine, 197-pound receiver had five catches for 124 yards in Hamilton’s 44-8 East Division semifinal win last weekend against the B.C. Lions. It was Addison’s first career CFL playoff game and just his fifth contest this season with the Ticats.
But Addison helped provide a timely lift for a Ticats receiving corps that’s minus Shamawd Chambers, Chris Williams, Terrence Toliver, Brandon Banks and Jalen Saunders due to injury.
“He did great, man,” said Hamilton quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. “A lot of respect for that guy because he wasn’t necessarily around the team the whole year from the jump.
“He prepared himself like a pro and it showed. He’s a hell of a player. He’s earned a lot of trust from a lot of the guys on our side of the ball just for the things he’s doing. He’s just a smart football player and we’re lucky to have him.”
Heady praise, indeed, from the East Division’s outstanding player nominee for a player who began the season with the Toronto Argonauts and didn’t join the Ticats until Sept. 1.
“It’s definitely been a long road from being in Toronto, then coming here and just trying to learn and having to step up fast,” said Addison. “But I’m so excited to be able to help this team compete for a championship.
“You’ve got to give credit to the older guys, veteran guys like Luke [Tasker], Speedy [Banks], Jalen, Terrence, they’re always there and vocal. I think I’m a pretty intelligent guy. I pick up things fast, but those guys really helped me.”
Addison wasted no time last Sunday coming up big. With Hamilton facing second-and-12 on its opening possession, Masoli hit Addison with a 38-yard reception that helped set the tone for the Ticats, who opened with three straight touchdown drives to take control of the contest.