Thread for the Team that Cannot Be Named

[ArgoRavi]

Masoli tied a CFL record set by Sam Etcheverry and Kent Austin by passing for 300 yards for the ninth consecutive game in the Tiger Cats loss to the Riders.

Someone on Twitter said it was the worst 300+ yard game they have seen a QB have. Masoli's fumble and interception cost the Ticats a game that they should have won.

Also, Kirk Pention in The Athletic mentioned (from a CFL Insider) that the Ticats are only running about 8 different plays compared to other teams in the league, who have 50+ in their playbooks. The simplified playbook seems to have worked well so far for the Ticats and Masoli but can they continue to enjoy success long-term with such a limited package?

[Will]

Someone on Twitter said it was the worst 300+ yard game they have seen a QB have. Masoli's fumble and interception cost the Ticats a game that they should have won.

Also, Kirk Pention in The Athletic mentioned (from a CFL Insider) that the Ticats are only running about 8 different plays compared to other teams in the league, who have 50+ in their playbooks. The simplified playbook seems to have worked well so far for the Ticats and Masoli but can they continue to enjoy success long-term with such a limited package?

Unless they're lulling other teams into a false sense of security and then unleashing the other ones...

[jerrym]

Here's a good review of Hamilton's Canadian RB duo of Mercer Timmis and Sean Thomas Erlington. The article does not mention the fact that Winnipeg also has a trio of capable RBs in 2017 rushing leader Andrew Harris, Kienan Lafrance and Nic Demski when it talks about other Canadian RB combos.

In Week 2, Burlington native Mercer Timmis broke onto the scene against the Edmonton Eskimos, running the ball 17 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns. The very next week, Sean Thomas Erlington, a 25-year-old from Montreal, tallied 11 carries for 92 yards against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Timmis found the end zone twice more.
With his big stature, Timmis is listed at six-foot-two and 220 pounds, Jones has started to utilize the 24-year-old in red zone and short yardage situations. Thomas Erlington is on the smaller side at five-foot-nine, and is listed as a slotback, so his ability to run routes effectively, while also beating defensive backs, is what has made him so effective carrying the rock in tandem with Timmis.
“To me that kind of means between Mercer and between Sean Thomas Erlington, it’s not like they’re a fad,” said CFL.ca’s Marshall Ferguson. “It’s not like they’ve just popped up for a couple games and are going to leave. They’re both developing skill sets that should last them in the CFL. They both have the type of body that can take the kind of beating that a running back takes week in and week out.”
The running back position in the CFL is primarily filled by Americans. Just two Canadians – Saskatchewan’s Jerome Messam and Winnipeg’s Andrew Harris – are established starters at the position.
And that’s what makes the duel Canadians emerging in Hamilton so interesting.
“It’s super, super rare to have one Canadian,” said Ferguson. “Let alone two of them.”
So rare, in fact, that there has only been three times (including the Ticats duo to start this season) in the last 26 years that any team has had more than one Canadian running back rush for more than 90 yards in a game in that particular season.
The last time this occurred was in 2015 with the Calgary Stampeders, where Messam, Jon Cornish and Matt Walter all shared duties out of the back field. Before that was in 2014, again in Calgary, between Cornish and Walter.
Between 1993 and 2014? It never happened.
According to Steve Daniel, the CFL’s resident stats guru, having two Canadian backs taking turns as the number one run option on the same team rarely happens.
One of the best comparisons came with Cornish from 2012 to 2015 and his backup in Calgary, Walter. Walter started twice for Calgary but only when Cornish was injured. While technically Walter started two contests for the Stampeders, he was still considered a backup to the team’s true No. 1 in the backfield.
Harris and Messam were both on the Lions roster in 2010 but they were there together as backups before really getting a chance to play. BC also had Sean Millington as their starter with Mark Nohra as his backup for several years in the early 2000s.
While neither Timmis or Thomas Erlington have been listed as starters on the team’s depth chart – in both Week 2 and 3 it was Nikita Whitlock that was listed ahead of Timmis while Thomas Erlington was listed at slotback – they are both capable of becoming one.
Thomas Erlington had his athletic ability on display at Tim Hortons Field last weekend with his spectacular hurdle over Bombers safety Taylor Loffler and spinning off defenders left and right. He didn’t find the end zone – the ball was handed off to Timmis instead for two short yardage touchdowns – but he showed off just how effective he could be as a part of their offence.

http://ticats.ca/out-of-the-ordinary-ticats-canadian-rb-duo-a-rarity/

[halifaxguy]

Someone on Twitter said it was the worst 300+ yard game they have seen a QB have. Masoli's fumble and interception cost the Ticats a game that they should have won.

Also, Kirk Pention in The Athletic mentioned (from a CFL Insider) that the Ticats are only running about 8 different plays compared to other teams in the league, who have 50+ in their playbooks. The simplified playbook seems to have worked well so far for the Ticats and Masoli but can they continue to enjoy success long-term with such a limited package?

Masoli couldn't move them inside the red zone, maybe other teams have figured out that simplified playbook?
Another 300 yard game for Masoli but the Rider defense bent but didn't break.

[jerrym]

https://www.thespec.com/opinion-stor...15-juggernaut/

Drew Edwards compares the Ticats to the 2015 team that won five in a row and had a 7-2 start and finds pieces missing.

[jerrym]

Erik Burkhardt, Johnny Manziel's agent, claims that half of the NFL teams have checked in with him on Manziel, saying this is where he needs to be at this stage in his career.

[OV Argo]

Masoli couldn't move them inside the red zone, maybe other teams have figured out that simplified playbook?
Another 300 yard game for Masoli but the Rider defense bent but didn't break.

Riders won that game basically because of 2 big plays - the strip / return TD by Hughes, and a long run by Thigpen; they had no business winning that game, but a couple of big plays will sometimes do it in a football game.

And June Jones' offence is real simple is it? - Masoli has continued to put up 300 yard passing games and is spreading the ball around to all receivers in the 5 pack; plus, while the run & shoot does not emphasise the run game much - they have had 4 different RBs (Timmis & Erlington, plus Whitlock and John White) all get some carries and contribute. plus Masoli is a running threat too. Sorry - about the most diverse offence in the CFL now.

[halifaxguy]

Riders won that game basically because of 2 big plays - the strip / return TD by Hughes, and a long run by Thigpen; they had no business winning that game, but a couple of big plays will sometimes do it in a football game.

And June Jones' offence is real simple is it? - Masoli has continued to put up 300 yard passing games and is spreading the ball around to all receivers in the 5 pack; plus, while the run & shoot does not emphasise the run game much - they have had 4 different RBs (Timmis & Erlington, plus Whitlock and John White) all get some carries and contribute. plus Masoli is a running threat too. Sorry - about the most diverse offence in the CFL now.

But they also won the game because the Ticats couldn't move the ball in the red zone or the Riders defense stepped up and stopped them when they needed to.

[jerrym]

Masoli is developing into an elite QB. If he has another 300 yard passing game in his next game against the Riders he will break the CFL record for most consecutive 300 yard games that he has already tied. While he had some problems during his 300 yard game against the same Riders last week, there is other evidence that he is maturing into a top QB.

Masoli’s growth as a quarterback goes beyond the numbers. Everyone, rightfully so, is focused on his chase for the record of most consecutive 300-yard games but his development goes beyond that. Masoli was putting up those 300 yard numbers last year but his accuracy and his pocket presence are at a whole other level.
Go back and watch his game-sealing 20 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Banks against Edmonton that gave the Tabbies a 31-14 lead with under seven minutes to go. On that play Masoli had to scramble out of trouble as Hamilton elected to go with just five offensive linemen and did not use bruising fullback Nikita Whitlock in the backfield for added pass protection.

The most impressive part of that touchdown was Masoli’s vision; even as he had to scramble out of danger his focus was always downfield. Instead of defaulting to scrambling for yards Masoli was still looking for possible targets. On that play he used his athleticism and his intellect to beat the blitz and put the Eskimos away. Most quarterbacks look good when everything is going their way. But the best, dare I say the “elite”, are the ones that transform chaotic moments into first downs and touchdowns.

You saw that level of quarterback all night against the Blue Bombers. Whether it was calmly running away from danger and hitting open targets to executing a perfect pump and go that resulted in a wide open touchdown for Terrence Tolliver Masoli is playing at a whole other level this year.
Of course the progression in his game is the result of many factors. A full training camp under June Jones certainly has played a part. Clearly coach and quarterback are on the same page and there was one play in particular that highlighted this for me.
Late in the first quarter on a 2nd and short Masoli faked a short pass to his left and instead went deep to Brandon Banks for 37 yards. This was the sort of aggressive play calling you find when there is complete faith in the coaching staff with the quarterback. Safe and conservative game plans are hall marks for teams where such trust does not exist.

http://ticats.ca/cauz-why-jeremiah-m...-elite-status/

[jerrym]

National Landon Rice has shifted from right guard to tight end to provide extra protection for Masoli.

The 29-year-old Landon from Brandon has been one of the talking points of the early CFL season as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' tight end, lining up as the fifth blocker on the line — either side — more than 50 per cent of the time, as June Jones opts for a little extra quarterback protection over an extra target for Jeremiah Masoli. ...

For the most part Masoli has had time to find his receivers and the Ticats' run game has also benefitted immensely, at least for nine big quarters. They didn't run enough in game one (and lost) and struggled overland after the first quarter of game four (and lost). Between the opener in Calgary and the final three quarters of the (what-really?) loss in Saskatchewan prior to this week's bye, the Ticat offence owned the ground game. ...

Rice was entering his sixth year in Hamilton after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He spent his first year on the practice roster, dressed for all 18 plus the Eastern Final and Grey Cup, with a handful of starts, the following year, missed half of 2015 with injury and, as a backup, got some starts and rotational action the next couple of years.
But as training camp progressed it became clear that Rice would play tight end when Jones wants one — which is a lot — and No. 6 overall draft choice Darius Ciraco was going to play right guard. Meanwhile, Girard is still recovering from a camp injury. ...

Jones has praised Rice's play and joked that "we're going to throw him a pass soon."

https://www.thespec.com/sports-story...-ticats-first/

[jerrym]

Andy Fantuz is expected to retire soon.

Hearing an announcement on @andyfantuz football future is coming this week. Expected he will retire to end one of the great careers for a Canadian receiver. #Ticats #CFL

— David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) July 16, 2018

[jerrym]

Why Fantuz decided to end a great career:

"When the season started, I was training to come back and play," the 34-year-old Fantuz says. "A month ago I wasn't sure I'd be making this decision."
But, after 12 seasons of road trips, when daughter Abigail was born to Fantuz and his wife Amanda three weeks ago, he had no trouble figuring out what to do. No more ambiguity. He was done.

https://www.thespec.com/sports-story...says-farewell/

[jerrym]

With left tackle and former Argo Tony Washington traded to the Als in the Manziel trade, the Tiger Cats were using both National Kay Okafor and International Avery Jordan at this position in practice on Monday.

[MikeT]

With left tackle and former Argo Tony Washington traded to the Als in the Manziel trade, the Tiger Cats were using both National Kay Okafor and International Avery Jordan at this position in practice on Monday.

I think the Ticats got weaker after this trade. They traded away Bomben to the Als now two starting O-linemen.
Chris Williams was starting to look pretty good until his hamstring tweak, I assume that is temporary and he will be suiting up next week.
I wonder if Bank's days are numbered.

[jerrym]

The Tiger Cats have released National LS Tanner Doll and added National LS Aaron Crawford.

[1971GreyCup]

https://www.silverandblackpride.com/...n-his-shoulder

Great article on Erik Harris. Couldn’t start on defence for the Ticats. Looks like he’ll start at safety for the Oakland Raiders. Perseverance

[Argo]

Someone on Twitter said it was the worst 300+ yard game they have seen a QB have. Masoli's fumble and interception cost the Ticats a game that they should have won.

Also, Kirk Pention in The Athletic mentioned (from a CFL Insider) that the Ticats are only running about 8 different plays compared to other teams in the league, who have 50+ in their playbooks. The simplified playbook seems to have worked well so far for the Ticats and Masoli but can they continue to enjoy success long-term with such a limited package?

It looked like an awful 300+ yd game even from just the highlight "reel".

8 different plays with that that set of offensive personnel?!

[R.J]

It looked like an awful 300+ yd game even from just the highlight "reel".

8 different plays with that that set of offensive personnel?!

Ticats only run about 8-12 offensive plays. Talk about keeping it simple.

[AngeloV]

https://www.silverandblackpride.com/...n-his-shoulder

Great article on Erik Harris. Couldn’t start on defence for the Ticats. Looks like he’ll start at safety for the Oakland Raiders. Perseverance

He was Ti-Cat's starting strong side LB IIRC.

[ArgoRavi]

He was Ti-Cat's starting strong side LB IIRC.

I still have a great memory of Chad Owens running away from Harris for a game-winning TD late in a 2014 thriller at SkyDome.