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According to at least one CFL executive, the future looks brighter in Hamilton following the hiring of Bob O'Billovich as general manager. According to at least one CFL executive, the future looks brighter in Hamilton following the hiring of Bob O'Billovich as general manager. "His track record of bringing in top young talent into this league is second to none," says Saskatchewan GM Eric Tillman. (Hamilton Tiger-Cats photo)

Feature

Tabbies tabbed for greatness

New Ticats GM 'Obie' has keen eye for talent, says Riders' Tillman

Last Updated Tues., Dec. 11, 2007

Doug Harrison, CBC Sports

The recent front-office shuffling by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats is a sensitive topic for Eric Tillman, general manager of the reigning Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders.

His longtime friend, Marcel Desjardins, was fired as Ticats GM on Nov. 4, and one month later has returned to his former role in Montreal as the Alouettes' assistant GM.

Tillman and Bob O'Billovich, Desjardins's successor in Hamilton, have never worked together in the Canadian Football League, but Tillman has been a beneficiary of Obie's strong recruiting and management skills over the years.

O'Billovich was the GM and coach of the Toronto Argonauts and B.C. Lions, both of whom won Grey Cup titles shortly after his departure and Tillman's arrival in the 1990s.

"Bob's track record of success in personnel speaks for itself," Tillman, who supports the Ticats' hiring of O'Billovich, told CBCSports.ca. "Without a doubt, he deserved credit for helping do good things before I arrived.

"In B.C., the team we inherited [from O'Billovich] went 3-15, but it was a lot better than it appeared on paper. Now, the shoe is on the other foot, and Bob is inheriting a better situation [in Hamilton] than some might think."

That Lions team went on to win 31 games over the next three seasons, which included capturing the Grey Cup in 1994 over the Baltimore Stallions on a Lui Passaglia winning field goal.

Toronto was led by star quarterback Doug Flutie in 1997, the season Tillman arrived, and knocked off the upstart Roughriders in the Grey Cup.

Strong nucleus of players

Like B.C. in 1992, the Tiger-Cats are coming off a 3-15 campaign in 2007, but have an impressive list of players, including running backs Jesse Lumsden and Terry Caulley, the CFL's top kicker this past season in Nick Setta, and linebackers JoJuan Armour and Zeke Moreno.

But it's their depth at quarterback - with 2004 CFL most outstanding player Casey Printers, Richie Williams and Timmy Chang - that has Tillman believing Hamilton could be the surprise team in the league next season.

"They have two essential elements for success in our league: quality and depth at quarterback, and a solid Canadian nucleus," said Tillman, who has this year's MOP Kerry Joseph, and Grey Cup most valuable Canadian Andy Fantuz in Saskatchewan.

When the 67-year-old O'Billovich was introduced to the Hamilton media on Dec. 6, he noted the Ticats' solid nucleus while adding the overall talent level needs upgrading.

O'Billovich has a keen eye for talent, having been a player, coach and GM in his 25 CFL seasons. He was the Lions' player-personnel director for the last five seasons.

O'Billovich has been responsible for luring players such as Michael (Pinball) Clemons, Dave Dickenson, Darren Flutie, Willie Pless, Printers and 2007 CFL top rookie Cameron Wake.

"In my opinion, [O'Billovich] was the hidden element of greatness in a truly first-class organization in B.C.," said Tillman, who reshaped the Saskatchewan roster with 16 new players in 2007. "His track record of bringing in top young talent into this league is second to none ... and I'm sure he will have quite an impact in Hamilton."

Tillman added he wouldn't be surprised if the Tiger-Cats were a legitimate contender in the East Division in 2008.

Taaffe's future in Hamilton unclear

The talk in Hamilton has shifted to who will coach the team, something O'Billovich has said he will address as soon as this week.

Current coach Charlie Taaffe's Tabbies scored the fewest points in the eight-team CFL this past season, allowed the second-most points and ranked third in penalties.

O'Billovich met Taaffe for the first time on Dec. 5 and planned to meet with him three more times before making a decision.

"It was important for me to give him the opportunity to talk to me to see if there is a potential for a good working relationship," said O'Billovich of Taaffe, who has two years left on his contract. "He made a very favourable impression on me right now, so we'll just wait and see how that works out."

One thing is clear: Tillman wouldn't expect O'Billovich to make a hasty decision when it comes to his coach.

"I think he's mature, and, as such, with the wisdom of years, he does not overreact," Tillman said. "Bob's seen and experienced so much, from the joy of winning championships, to the unspeakable sadness of losing a young daughter-in-law, who had just had a child.

"Through it all, he has a faith that sustains him, and the strength to persevere."

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