Inconsistent quarterback Jason Maas is under the gun in Steeltown. (Canadian Press)
2007 CFL Preview
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Rebuilding Tabbies will suffer growing pains in 2007
Last Updated Tues., June. 26, 2007
Doug Harrison, CBC Sports
2006 RECORD: 4-14, last in the East. Missed playoffs for fourth time in five seasons
KEY NUMBERS:
Points: 250 (8th)
Rushing yards/game: 76.8 (8th)
Passing yards/game: 262.6 (6th)
Interceptions: 18 (5th)
ARRIVALS: QB Rocky Butler, QB Timmy Chang, OT Jerome Davis, C Cedric Gagne-Marcoux, S Richard Karikari, DL Nautyn McKay-Loescher, K Nick Setta, WR Jason French, WR Thyron Anderson
DEPARTURES: Coach Ron Lancaster, defensive co-ordinator Kavis Reed, offensive co-ordinator Joe Paopao, SB Mike Morreale, S Rob Hitchcock, FB Kojo Aidoo, QB Kevin Eakin, WR D.J. Flick, WR Kahlil Hill, WR Kamau Peterson, RB Josh Ranek, OL Wayne Smith, WR Terry Vaughn, DE Tim Cheatwood, DE James Cotton, DB Jason Goss, CB Airabin Justin, LB Matt Robichaud, K Jamie Boreham, P Pat Fleming
STRENGTHS:
Running back – For a change, the Tiger-Cats have depth at the tailback position with Jesse Lumsden, Anthony Davis and Corey Holmes, the CFL's outstanding special teams player in 2005. Holmes is the key and will need to carry the ball more than the 64 times he did during an injury-plagued 2006 season to ease the pressure off projected starting quarterback Jason Maas. Holmes averaged a solid 5.8 yards per rush, but ran for only one touchdown in 11 games.
WEAKNESSES:
Receiving – Hamilton opened training camp with a whopping nine new faces competing for work at the wideout position after last year's crew managed a paltry 12 touchdown receptions and a league-worst 6.4 yards per catch. A pre-season trade with Saskatchewan may improve the situation, however, with both Jason French and Thyron Anderson joining the Ticat receiving corps. Brock Ralph returns for a second season in Hamilton, while Richard Alston (trade via Edmonton) is expected to start.
Middle linebacker/secondary – The Ticats entered camp without a clear-cut starter in the middle. Canadian Agustin Barrenechea, who had 39 defensive tackles in 15 games last season, is likely to reclaim the job but could battle imports Zeke Moreno for playing time. Growing pains are expected with a younger secondary. Halfback Tay Cody, Hamilton's outstanding player nominee in 2006, anchors a unit that surrendered the third-most passing yards last season and the most passing touchdowns (30).
Kicking depth – Ticats general manager Marcel Desjardins has so much confidence in former Notre Dame standout Nick Setta that he sent inconsistent Jamie Boreham to Saskatchewan in a March trade. Setta nailed 46 of 66 field goal attempts during a four-year collegiate career at Notre Dame.
KEY PLAYER:
Jason Maas - Can he revert to his 2004 form when he threw for 5,270 yards and 31 touchdowns for the Edmonton Eskimos? Last season was a nightmare for the seven-year CFLer as he was hampered by injuries and failed to throw down field with any regularity. While Maas finished sixth in league passing with 3,204 yards, he also tossed 17 interceptions compared to eight touchdowns. Maas will be pushed by NCAA all-time passing leader Timmy Chang and one-time Saskatchewan Roughrider Rocky Butler.
OUTLOOK:
"[General manager] Marcel Desjardins has rolled the dice with a high level of risk [with the players he has brought in]. I'm very excited to gauge his ability to judge talent," CFL on CBC analyst Greg Frers said. "I think you'll see a marginal improvement from last season, but the playoffs are a long shot. With so many changes, it's going to take time for them to come together. It will be a year for them to show future competitiveness."
