Thread for the Team that Cannot Be Named

**jerrym** · 04-23-2018, 10:46 PM

Hamilton has added five Internationals to its roster: WR Al Riles and Nathan Ross, DBs Jerome Couplin III and Randall Evans, as well as DT Bobby Richardson. Couplin and Richardson have roughly the equivalent of one season of NFL regular season playing time.

Couplin III, 26, has appeared in 16 career National Football League games at safety with the Detroit Lions (2014) and Philadelphia Eagles (2015), registering seven combined tackles. The 6-2, 215-pound native of Washington, D.C., originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Lions in 2014, and also spent time with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills (2014) and Los Angeles Rams (2016-17). A William & Mary product, Couplin III played 46 games with the Tribe from 2010-13 and started at safety in his final three seasons.

Evans, 26, was selected by the Eagles in the sixth round, 196th overall, in the 2015 NFL Draft and appeared in one game in his rookie season in Philadelphia. The 6-0, 195-pound native of Miami, Florida, served on the San Diego Chargers practice squad in 2016 and attended training camp with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017. Prior to turning pro, Evans appeared in 51 games (31 starts) at cornerback during his four-year collegiate career at Kansas State University (2011-14), earning All-Big 12 accolades in 2014 after leading the Wildcats in interceptions (4) and passes defended (14).

Richardson, 25, played 15 games with 11 starts on the defensive line for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints in 2015, posting 40 combined tackles, a split sack, one interception and one pass knock down. The 6-3, 286-pound native of Tampa, Florida, also spent time on the practice rosters of the Saints, Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs in 2016, had a brief offseason stint with the Denver Broncos in 2017 and attended training camp with the New York Giants last season. Before signing with New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in 2015, Richardson appeared in 45 career games with the Indiana Hoosiers (2011-14), making 27 starts at both defensive tackle and defensive end.

Riles, 24, had a brief stint with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent last season. The 5-10, 212-pound native of Covington, Louisiana, played 53 games at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette over five seasons (2012-16), compiling 140 receptions for 1,560 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. He also had 14 carries for 55 yards, completed one of two passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, returned two kicks for 34 yards, recorded a 99-yard interception return touchdown, and earned 2016 First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference honours during his career with the Ragin Cajuns.

Ross, 26, played 45 games over four seasons at Chadron State University (2010-13) and is the school’s all-time leader in touchdown receptions (23) and kick return yards (1,444). The 5-11, 185-pound native of San Diego, California, also sits among the school’s all-time leaders in numerous other categories, including receptions (2nd – 176), receiving yards (3rd – 2,369), all purpose yards (5th – 3,825), average yards per catch (6th – 13.46) and total touchdowns (T-9th – 25).

http://ticats.ca/tiger-cats-sign-fiv...ional-players/

**jerrym** · 04-25-2018, 12:08 AM

HC June Jones is running the Tiger Cat mini-camp in a different manner from that of Austin's last four mini-camps.

Over the last four seasons under Austin, mini-camp has largely been a showcase for first-year players trying to earn an invite to training camp the following month. While there were often a few veterans around — most notably the quarterbacks — the roster featured a lot of unknown names sporting unusual numbers.
This year, however, mini-camp will feature a veritable who's who of the Ticats roster as Jones looks to further extend his influence over the offensive system while also introducing his new, and very noteworthy, defensive co-ordinator, Jerry Glanville.

As Jones explains it, last year's post Labour Day offensive system was something of a hybrid featuring his concepts but utilizing most the existing terminology left over from the Austin offence. It was an unorthodox and inefficient way of doing things — it's pretty remarkable they were as successful as they were — and something that Jones will use mini-camp to change.
"For example, something we called 'China' last year will be called something different this year. The players will be familiar with it but they have to get comfortable with how I call it," Jones said. "I want the vets to use these three days to get them one step ahead before we get camp."

https://www.thespec.com/sports-story...the-jones-way/

**jerrym** · 04-25-2018, 10:11 PM

The Tiger Cats have signed a college ball hawk International DB, Caleb Duncan.

Duncan, 27, played 22 games at Miles College over two seasons (2015-16), registering 70 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, eight interceptions, six pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. The 5-10, 195-pound native of New Orleans, Louisiana, was named to the 2016 SIAC Football All-Conference Second Team as a senior after finishing second in the SIAC with five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

http://ticats.ca/tiger-cats-sign-defensive-back-duncan/

**argolio** · 04-28-2018, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by jerrym

National DL Nathan Shepherd, who is on the Tiger Cats negotiation list because he went undrafted after dropping out of SFU but then went to university in the US, is drawing a lot of NFL interest with 11 team visits/workouts already scheduled, greatly decreasing the chances that Hamilton will see him any time soon.

Taken in the 3rd round by the NY Jets.

**jerrym** · 04-30-2018, 09:46 PM

Drew Edwards discusses seven players who stood out at the Tiger Cats' mini-camp.

https://www.thespec.com/sports-story...r-these-seven/

**jerrym** · 05-01-2018, 10:48 PM

After turning around the Tiger Cats following their 0-8 start under Kent Austin, June Jones insisted his three year contract signed in December include language stating he had control of player personnel.

"Everywhere I've been, I've wanted to be in charge of personnel," Jones said. " In other places, somebody else wanted to pick the guys and I said 'Well, I want to decide who's on the team.' A lot of times, you didn't get the ability to do that but I had them put it in my contract." ...

"Management doesn't like a receiver and they want to replace him, and I like him. Well, you can't do that, the coach has to make that decision. It doesn't come up very often but it comes up a lot when you don't have people upstairs that know. These guys know and they see it the same way I see it."
The "guys" Jones is referring to include general manager Eric Tillman and assistant general managers Shawn Burke and Drew Allemang, as well as assistant head coach Orlondo Steinauer, who has also been involved in personnel meetings since returning to the club in March.
"I would say it's input by committee and June is the decision-maker — which is rare and that's what's exciting about it," Steinauer said. "As unorthodox as it may seem from the outside, it feels really natural from the inside. At the end of the day, June is going to make the final decision and that's 'our' decision and everybody is on board with that."

https://www.thespec.com/sports-story...ticat-strings/

**jerrym** · 05-02-2018, 09:01 PM

Chris O'Leary discusses Hamilton's strategy in trading for the #1 overall pick from the Als for OL Ryan Bomben, WR Jamal Robinson and three other picks in 2018 and 2019.

Hamilton acquired the first overall pick from Montreal along with the 31st overall (fourth-round) pick, the 44th overall pick (sixth-round) and a second-round pick in 2019.
After a deal with Edmonton earlier in the day, the Ticats now have nine picks, including two in the first round, going first and sixth overall.

“I’ve never been around a front office that puts the whole plan together with everybody involved, and that’s what’s happened the last 10 days,” Jones told TSN 1150.
“Drew [Allemang]’s done an unbelievable job, [Eric Tillman] and Burkie and then with the input from Orlondo [Steinauer] and myself, it’s been a real positive thing. It’s all in conjunction.”

With a plethora of picks come options and the Ticats go into this draft in the driver’s seat. They could stay in line with the chatter that’s surrounded the draft up to this point and take UCONN O-lineman Trey Rutherford with the first pick.
They could also look away from a draft that’s heavy on O-linemen (pun not intended) and go with the other rumoured first-overall candidate, in Central Michigan receiver Mark Chapman. The Ticats were rumoured to be deeply interested in Danny Vandervoort a year ago, but watched as BC took the McMaster receiver a spot ahead of them with the third overall pick. In a way, they have the opportunity on Thursday to get what they were after a year ago.

“We don’t want to tip our hand, but I’ve voiced what I’d like to do (with the pick),” Jones said.

https://www.cfl.ca/2018/05/02/oleary...-ticats-trade/

**jerrym** · 05-04-2018, 11:47 PM

RT .@joeyalfieri #CFL Sources have informed me that the #Ticats shelled out $70,000 in offseason bonuses to Ryan Bomben this winter. Trading him away after giving up that kind of money up front is mind-boggling. #Alouettes #TSN690 #AlsMTL
— CFL News (@CFL_News) May 4, 2018

**jerrym** · 05-06-2018, 06:00 PM

The Ticat staff comment on the team's draft selections:

http://ticats.ca/first-round-picks-c...018-cfl-draft/

**jerrym** · 05-07-2018, 12:15 PM

Drew Edwards looks at how the 2018 Ticat draft picks fit into the team's plans.

http://3downnation.com/2018/05/05/ti...-overall-plan/

**jerrym** · 05-08-2018, 09:51 PM

After June Jones took over as HC of the 0-8 Tiger Cats, the players raved about his relaxed coaching style and how different from that of Kent Austin. Hamilton then went 6-4, telling one what the environment was like under Austin. He plans to keep it up this season.

“I really believe that the leaders of the team have to take ownership of the team and that allows all the guys to play at a high level,” Jones said. “We help them with the things we do and they have to trust us in some of the things we tell them but at the same time, the good teams take ownership and accountability and that’s how you get the best out of players.” ...

“There’s a whole bunch of different personalities, some guys need a kick in the ass, some guys need a pat on the back,” Jones said. “I’m a laid back kind of guy but at the same time, I have guys in place that are different from me and that’s how you get a well-rounded player.”

http://3downnation.com/2018/05/08/ti...dership-style/

**jerrym** · 05-09-2018, 10:44 PM

The Tiger Cats are looking forward to getting Terrence Tolliver, who gained 1,000+ yards in 2016, back in TC after he missed the entire 2017 season with a torn ACL.

**jerrym** · 05-10-2018, 07:09 PM

Hamilton has released KR/WR Akeem Haynes, a former Canadian 2016 Olympic bronze medal sprinter. However, he had not played football since high school in 2010, so like most such sprinters the cut was not unexpected.

**jerrym** · 05-11-2018, 11:55 PM

The Tiger Cats have signed four WRs whose profiles are given below: Andrew Turzilli, Chris Hubert Bryce Wilkerson, and Jarvis Baxter.

http://ticats.ca/tiger-cats-sign-fou...-roster-moves/

**jerrym** · 05-13-2018, 12:54 AM

National 6'6" 317 lb OL Landon Rice will get first shot at replacing RG Ryan Bomben who the Ticats traded to Montreal.

Without Bomben, an all-star the last two seasons, the Ticats need a new right guard and Jones outlined the possibilities:
"We have five to six guys I really like. Landon Rice played a lot more than what people think last year, so I would anticipate that he will start off there; but it's going to be a wide open competition. It's understandable that people second-guess the trade. But after looking at all the film and going through (mini-camp) I think it's a decision that I think is going to pay off in the long run."
In addition to Rice, the Ticats have Braden Schram, Brett Golding, Everton Williams and Kay Okafor, as well as 2018 draft pick Darius Ciraco. From that group, they'll need a starter and at least one (and probably two) backups on game day.

https://www.thespec.com/sports-story...on-see-action/

**jerrym** · 05-14-2018, 11:32 AM

Good news for the Ticats: #1 overall draft choice Mark Chapman was not offered a contract by the New York Giants after he attended their rookie mini-camp, increasing the likelihood that he will sign with Hamilton.

**jerrym** · 05-15-2018, 01:52 PM

National OL Mathieu Girard, who is 6'3", 308 lb and only 26, is coming out of retirement to join the Tiger Cats. He played 37 games in 2015-16 including playoffs, and could help an offensive line that loss Ryan Bomben in a trade with Montreal.

**jerrym** · 05-16-2018, 11:52 PM

Western University QB Chris Merchant will intern with Hamilton this year, after interning with Calgary last year.

**jerrym** · 05-17-2018, 10:43 PM

The city and the Tiger Cats have reached a tentative settlement in the Tim Horton's Stadium lawsuit. However, details of the settlement have not been revealed.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilt...city-1.4667955