GAME DAY: HAMILTON VS. TORONTO
TV: 4: 30 p.m., TSN
The huge diamond ring that adorned George Cortez's right hand Wednesday was proof anything is possible once a team reaches the CFL playoffs.
The impressive piece of jewelry was none other than the 2001 Grey Cup ring Cortez received as an assistant coach with Calgary. That year the Stampeders struggled to make the playoffs with a dismal 8-10 (including one overtime loss) record but capped an improbable championship run with a stunning 27-19 win over the heavily favoured Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Montreal's Olympic Stadium.
Eleven years ago, Calgary had to win three of its last four regular-season games - including a 22-15 victory over Winnipeg in the final week of the season - to clinch second in the West Division, one point ahead of the B.C. Lions.
Cortez's current team, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, faces a similar situation tonight in its regular-season finale against the Toronto Argonauts.
Hamilton (6-11) must beat Toronto and hope Calgary defeats Edmonton on Friday night to clinch third in the East Division. But either a loss to the Argos or an Edmonton win will eliminate the Ticats from playoff contention.
"We went to the last game of the year in '01 having to win to make the playoffs, and we did and ended up winning the Grey Cup," said Cortez, who's in his first year as Hamilton's head coach. "I kind of used [the ring] as a prop one day talking and have worn it, kind of, as a little bit of a reminder.
"We were sitting almost in exactly the same point with three games to go in the season in '01 as we are this year."
Cortez said he doesn't wear the ring often but is doing so to deliver a very simple message to his team.
"Even when things look like they're down and out at times, the whole object of an 18-game exercise is to get into the tournament," he said. "Once you get into the tournament anything is possible."
This is the fourth and final regular-season matchup between the two teams, but Hamilton will face a much different Toronto squad. With the Argos (8-9) cementing second in the East Division with last weekend's win in Regina, head coach Scott Milanovich is resting no less than eight starters, including quarterback Ricky Ray.
"A lot of it is, really, injuries and trying to get guys healthy," Milanovich said. "Fortunately, we have the opportunity to do that."
Also, starting linebacker Brandon Isaac will serve a one-game suspension for a helmet-to-helmet hit last week on Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant.
Milanovich will start backup Jarious Jackson, who's expected to play a quarter before giving way to rookie Trevor Harris. Milanovich also wants fellow rookie Zach Collaros to play.
"With Zach and Trevor, it's a chance for us to get them some experience in a situation you don't find in pre-season," Milanovich said. "This is a real game with a team that's fighting for its playoff life.
"I think we're going to get a good idea of what kind of poise they have and what they can handle at this point as we move forward."
Cortez said his team isn't the least bit concerned about Toronto's multiple lineup changes.
"We're not worrying about who's playing for the Argos," he said.
"It could be the '97 Argos defence. ... We only worry about our team and how we perform."
