CLARKWATCH: Follow news and updates regarding sanctions on Mayor Clark.

Brandon Banks excelling as receiver with Ticats under head coach Jones

Oct 24, 2017 | 3:00 PM

Brandon Banks always knew he could excel as a receiver. All he needed was the chance to show it.

He’s getting that now with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats under interim head coach June Jones. 

Banks, 29, has registered 47 catches for 742 yards and six TDs this season with Hamilton (5-11), all career-best marks. But the bulk of Banks’ production _ 39 receptions for 690 yards and five touchdowns to be exact _ has come since Jones assumed head-coaching duties from Kent Austin following Hamilton’s 0-8 start.

Jones made two important decisions shortly after his appointment: making backup Jeremiah Masoli the starter and Banks, used predominantly as a kick returner since joining the Ticats in 2013, a full-time receiver. Both players have figured prominently in Hamilton’s resurgence.

“It (receiving ability) has always been there,” Banks said Tuesday. “It was just a matter of getting the opportunity to show people I could do it.

“I think I’m a guy that if you get the ball in my hands something has to shake sooner or later. I’m loving it and just taking advantage of the opportunities (Jones) is giving me.”

Over two seasons at Kansas State, Banks had 123 catches for 1,754 yards and 10 TDs in 24 games before spending three years with the NFL’s Washington Redskins (2010-12).

On Tuesday, the Garner. N.C., native was named a CFL top performer for his play in Hamilton’s 43-16 win over the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday. The five-foot-seven, 155-pound Banks — who comes by his nickname “Speedy B” honestly — had six catches for 129 yards and a TD while returning four punts for 111 yards and a touchdown.

But special-teams success is nothing new for Banks.

He registered four punt-return TDs in 2015, one short of the league record, in being named its top special-teams player. The year before, Banks returned five punts for a playoff-record 226 yards and record-tying two TDs in Hamilton’s 40-24 East Division final win over Montreal.

In the Grey Cup,  Banks registered a dramatic 90-yard punt return touchdown with 32 seconds left that seemingly put Hamilton ahead of Calgary 22-20. But it was negated by a holding penalty allowing the Stampeders to register the 20-16 victory.

Jones said Banks fits well into the offensive schemes he’s used throughout his coaching career. Jones added he had to rely on smaller, quicker players out of necessity while the head coach at both Hawaii (1999-07) and SMU (2008-14).

“We had to survive for 35 years with those guys because the six-foot-four fast guys were going to Oklahoma or Texas,” Jones said. “I’ve compromised size for speed pretty much at every level.

“I think he fits into the way I want to play the game probably a little bit different than some of the schematics he was involved in before. I’ve always had success with guys who are fast and undersized.”

Banks also quickly developed a chemistry with Masoli, not surprising given the two are close friends off the field.

“It (being patient) was difficult but at the end of the day you’ve got to be a professional,” Banks said. “You have to do what the coaches ask of you and buy into their system and that they’re doing what’s right for the team.”

But Hamilton’s late-season success won’t result in a playoff berth as Toronto (8-9) and Ottawa (7-9-1) have clinched the top two East Division spots. The other will go to the fourth-place finisher in the West Division.

“In a way it’s tough but at the end of the day we’re blessed,” Banks said. “Who wouldn’t want to wake up and play a football game and get paid for it?

“I don’t want to disrespect any other East team but I feel like the best team in the East isn’t even in the playoffs.”

Hamilton can play the spoiler role Friday night against Ottawa. A Ticats win would give arch-rival Toronto first in the East and home field for the division final.

“I don’t know the scenarios,” Banks said. “I want to win the game so if that (Toronto clinching first) is what the consequences are, then that’s what it’s going to have to be.”

Banks, who reportedly took a $50,000 pay cut before the ’17 campaign, is scheduled to become a free agent this off-season. And while Banks won’t start pondering his football future until after the season, he said his chances of remaining a Ticat improve if Jones stays put.

“The chances are better,” Banks said. “A lot of things will weigh into the decision but I’m not even thinking about that now.

“I’m just trying to finish the season strong so I have a little leverage in negotiations.”

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press