Hamilton Tiger-Cats coach Scott Milanovich prioritising one crucial skill above rushing ability

Scott Milanovich has made one thing crystal clear as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats search for a new starting running back intensifies — if a player cannot protect the quarterback, nothing else matters.

The offensive-minded head coach is overseeing one of Hamilton’s biggest training camp battles following the departure of Greg Bell to the Ottawa Redblacks during CFL free agency, and Milanovich has now laid down a blunt challenge to every contender fighting for the RB1 role.

Despite the different styles of backs he has trusted throughout his coaching career — from Avon Cobourne and Brandon Whitaker to Cory Boyd, Chad Kackert and Bell — Milanovich insists there has always been one non-negotiable requirement.

“If you can’t protect, I don’t care how good you run it, you’re not going to be able to play for us,” Milanovich warned.

The veteran coach stressed that pass protection has become even more important in today’s CFL because of how advanced defensive schemes and blitz packages have become across the league.

“If they can’t protect, you can’t play in this game, you can’t play in the NFL. The quarterback’s going to get killed,” he explained.

“The defensive coordinators in our league in the last 10 to 15 years have gotten so good with their pressures and they’re multiple. The guys have to be smart, otherwise you get a bunch of quarterback injuries.”

Hamilton currently has a crowded battle underway for the starting role, with Americans Shane Watts, Larry Rountree III and Avery Morrow competing alongside Canadian veterans Johnny Augustine and Ante Milanovic-Litre.

Rountree III perhaps arrives with the biggest profile after earning roughly $1.2 million during his NFL career before spending time with the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL.

Meanwhile, Watts believes his previous short stint with Hamilton last season has already helped him adapt to Milanovich’s complex offensive system and the motion-heavy CFL game.

Milanovich admitted he hopes to settle on a starter before Hamilton’s final preseason clash against the Toronto Argonauts on May 29, but he also acknowledged that evaluating running backs goes far beyond what happens during exhibition games.

“You gotta do things a little bit differently when you’re looking for a tailback and you don’t have any incumbent because the preseason games aren’t really enough,” Milanovich said.

Training camp reps, live blocking drills, and one-on-one protection situations are expected to play a massive role in determining who wins the job.

The Ticats coach also outlined the huge expectations placed on his lead running back within the offence, revealing he expects his starter to produce roughly 1,500 total yards across rushing and receiving if healthy over a full season.

Ultimately, though, Milanovich’s message has left little room for interpretation.

A running back can have elite speed, power, and explosiveness — but if they cannot keep the quarterback upright, they simply will not see the field in Hamilton.