Ticats’ Owen, Tasker a potent combination
At five-foot-11 and 191 pounds, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Luke Tasker might be the best small receiver in the CFL.
Teams don’t notice him until it’s too late.
Now, with five-foot-eight slotback Chad Owens lining up on his side, the Ticats have two diminutive receivers to line up against the Argos on Thursday (7:30 p.m.) in the CFL’s curtain-raiser at BMO Field.
Owens, the former Argo great who bolted down the QEW in off-season free agency, put on a show in his only pre-season game at age 34. Owens caught five passes for 98 yards and one touchdown in only one half of action to lead all receivers against the Redblacks.
Owens is expected to draw most of the attention. That’s exactly when Tasker is most dangerous — when defenders are looking the other way.
“I’m excited to see what happens with both of us out there,” said Tasker, who plays his best games against the Argonauts.
In a league whose receivers are usually over six feet, Tasker finished sixth in 2015 with 1,066 receiving yards despite missing four games with a hamstring injury.
Ottawa’s Chris Williams, at fivefoot-nine, collected 1,204 yards, but he had Henry Burris throwing to him. Tasker had to adjust to a string of quarterbacks, including Zach Collaros, Jeremiah Masoli, Jeff Mathews and Jacory Harris.
“I just wish I was bigger,” Tasker said with a laugh. “Maybe I could run a little faster.”
Tasker, 25, is much like the NFL’s Julian Edelman or Wes Welker, receivers who make up for a lack of size with elusiveness and quickness.
“He’s got very good spot quickness,” head coach Kent Austin said. “He’s not just going to blaze by you on deep routes, but you’d better be careful. He’s sneaky.”
Last season, the son of former Buffalo Bills star Steve Tasker caught 22 passes for 267 yards and one touchdown in three regular-season victories against the Argos.
It was against the Argos in October 2013 when the Cornell University product caught his first career touchdown pass, a few weeks after making his CFL debut.
“I enjoyed playing at the Rogers Centre,” Tasker said. “I know people didn’t enjoy watching games there, but some of my best games were there against Toronto.” QBS HOLD THEIR BREATH: Quarterbacks and their coaches might be on edge prior to the CFL openers. Four QBs went down with major injuries in the first game last season (Edmonton’s Mike Reilly, Saskatchewan’s Darian Durant, Jonathan Crompton in Montreal and his backup, Dan LeFevour). Only three starters finished the season (Toronto’s Trevor Harris, Ottawa’s Henry Burris and Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell). MONTREAL at WINNIPEG (Friday, 8:30 p.m.): The Montreal Alouettes could be much improved with the return of receiver Duron Carter from the NFL. Last week, he combined with Kevin Glenn on a thrilling 78-yard TD catch-and-run play. He should open up more room for wide receiver S.J. Green. OTTAWA at EDMONTON (Saturday, 7 p.m.): In a rematch of the Grey Cup game last November, the Redblacks seek revenge against the champion Eskimos. Ottawa QB Henry Burris, at age 41, refuses to believe he’s too old. And who can argue after he won the 2015 most outstanding player award and put up a good showing in the pre-season?
“All of you guys talk about the age thing. I’m out here feeling good,” Burris said. Harris is his backup. CALGARY at B.C. (Saturday, 10 p.m.): The Stampeders go into their opener with an intense focus on franchise quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. There’s a leadership void, and the pressure will be on Mitchell to prove he can overcome all the upheaval. The Stamps are without running back Jon Cornish (retired), league-leading receiver Eric Rogers (NFL), receiver Jeff Fuller (NFL), defensive back Keon Raymond (Toronto) and linebacker Juwan Simpson (free agent).