Hazelton back in good books with coach Milanovich
Rookie was leading team in total receiving yards at time of his benching
OTTAWA— Vidal Hazelton is out of the doghouse, and head coach Scott Milanovich believes the star receiver will let his hands — and not his mouth — make the biggest statement here Tuesday against the Redblacks.
“Hazelton is in,” Milanovich said Monday, confirming he has ended the one-game ban for his on-field conduct.
Under a team decision, Hazelton was made available only to TSN on Monday when the Argos arrived here, but the fiery rookie told media at practice last week that he learned his lesson and “it won’t happen again.”
“More has been made of this than needs to be,” Milanovich said. “I made a decision and the staff agreed with it. We love Vidal. He’s a good guy. He’s made some mistakes, we all know that. I’m sure he’s going to play well (Tuesday).”
The Argos left Hazelton behind in Toronto 11 days ago when the team came to Ottawa in a move that could have backfired because of the rookie’s talent and the Argos’ fragile position in the standings. The Argos are two points behind Hamilton and Ottawa in the East.
Hazelton, a USC and Cincinnati product, has caught 47 passes for 565 yards and five touchdowns this season. At six-foot-two, he combines with six-foot-four Tori Gurley and six-foot-three Kevin Elliott to give Toronto three towering, physical receiving threats.
When the benching came, the Argos were on a three-game losing skid and Hazelton was the team’s leading receiver (he is now No. 2 behind Gurley in yards). Milanovich had already pulled Hazelton for one series against Winnipeg in mid-August. But there was no zip to the lip. The benching sent a message that Milanovich is not afraid to show who’s boss.
The Argos responded with perhaps their most complete game of the season on Sept. 26 by beating the Redblacks here 35-26, and Hazelton’s replacement, Diontae Spencer, stepped up with four catches for 62 yards and 77 more yards on three kickoff returns. Spencer will also dress against Ottawa on Tuesday.
Milanovich likes the emotion that players such as Hazelton, Gurley and Elliott bring to a game, but with a caveat.
“It’s a fine line that those guys walk,” Milanovich said. “I love that emotion. It feeds through your team. That’s what’s so difficult: to play on the edge, but not go over the line.”
Gurley doesn’t want Hazelton to over-correct and become placid.
“I want that dog to come out,” Gurley said. “While we’re in the huddle, we’ll contain him, but I want him to be a dog because that’s what makes Vidal the player he is. He’s an animal out there and we need that.”