Thread for the Team that Cannot Be Named

[jerrym]

The city of Hamilton has closed Tim Horton's Field for a safety review following a speaker falling several stories into the stands.

The city has closed public access to its new $145-million stadium and started a wide-ranging safety review after a tower-hung speaker plummeted several storeys into the eastern stands.
The falling 68-kilogram (150-pound speaker) — about the size of a bar fridge — didn't hurt anyone, but the resulting field closure has cancelled several community sports events so far.
The Monday incident also raises new questions about stadium safety and alleged "deficiencies" that recently spurred multi-million-dollar legal claims involving the city, province, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the stadium builder.
"When a speaker falls from a brand new stadium, I'd call that a deficiency," said ward Coun. Matthew Green, who expressed relief no event was underway at the time. "Had there been people in the stadium (seats) we could have had a real tragedy."
Facilities head Rom D'Angelo said the speaker dropped from 30-metre-high light standards into the top-level eastern stands, rolled down 26 rows and over the railing into the lower bowl. The stadium was empty that morning aside from a surprised crew of workers power-washing seats a few sections over.
It's not yet clear what brought down the speaker. D'Angelo said an investigation and inspection of all speakers will likely continue through Thursday. Councillors were also told late Wednesday the city is looking at safety-checking all hanging structures, including stadium lights.
In the meantime, 11 speakers hanging above the east side of the stadium will be removed as a precaution. West-side speakers are secured in a different way and are not considered a risk.
D'Angelo confirmed the speakers had previously been inspected as part of stadium commissioning, adding the city had no previous indication the equipment was in danger of falling.
The sound system, however, is one of many disputed items listed in competing stadium legal claims by the city and Tiger-Cats.
The city's latest court filing claims damages of $35 million from Infrastructure Ontario and contractor Ontario Sports Solutions over construction delays, contract breaches and mostly unspecified deficiencies.
The Ticat's $13.8 million claim specifically lists sound system problems, including fans complaints about too-loud and inaudible areas of the stadium.
Other problems noted by the city, the team and fans over the last year include water pooled under seats in the stands, outdoor television screens ruined by rain, draft beer lines that were never installed and seat views obstructed by railings.
In theory, the city could eventually use about $6 million in withheld stadium payments to fix some of the deficiencies, but that money is part of the ongoing legal dispute.
The building was turned over to the city unfinished nearly a year late just before the 2015 Pan Am Games. Delays were blamed in part on weather, a bankrupted subcontractor and design issues that forced major reinforcing of structural steel.
Tiger-Cats CEO Scott Mitchell said Wednesday the team has been forced to spend money on the city-owned stadium even as legal negotiations continue over who is responsible to fix remaining problems.

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/67...investigation/

[jerrym]

Former Argo Spencer Watt is eager to get going after last year was spoiled through injury.

When Kent Austin signed Spencer Watt during the off-season, he figured Watt would add experience and a scoring threat to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats offence.
That was more than a year ago.
Austin finally will start to learn whether the addition of the wide receiver was the right decision, now that Watt has recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon, an injury suffered during training in March 2015 and one that caused Watt to miss all of last season.
Is Watt itching to get into a game? You bet he is.
That’s expected to happen on Saturday at BMO Field when the Ticats visit the Toronto Argonauts, Watt’s former club, in a Canadian Football League pre-season game.
“A pre-season game, they say it is worth nothing really, but as far as myself goes, I want to take it as a real game,” Watt said on Thursday after the Ticats finished practice at Ron Joyce Stadium.
“I don’t know yet how they are going to do the reps but I expect to play a little bit, assuming (head coach Austin and his staff) would want to see how I am going to be in a game.
“I’m not too nervous, I am more excited than anything.”
The Ticats, meanwhile, reportedly have got Brandon Banks’ signature on a restructured contract. Banks, the most outstanding special teams player in the CFL in 2015, has not yet surfaced in camp because of what are thought to be family reasons.
On his Twitter page, Banks (@speedybanks87) tweeted: “I never hold out don’t believe it!”
Watt’s mental recovery has been just as crucial as coming back physically from such a serious injury. Most veterans use training camp to work out the kinks and find a rhythm. Watt has been doing as much, but at the same time, has been re-adjusting his brain.
“In camp, I have not even thought about the Achilles,” Watt said. “It has been more about the cadence, I am thinking about the route, the defensive backs, the defence, I am not even thinking about my injury.
“That is the one important thing as far as (the) mental (side) goes, is to get over that.
“Reading defences on the fly, I feel like that was a little bit tough at the start of camp, but I’m back to thinking on the fly, getting the right reads, stuff like that.”
Missing a season for any reason would be a source of angst and frustration for all professional athletes, and Watt was no different.
In 2014, his fifth and final season with the Argos, Watt caught a career-high 35 passes and had three touchdowns, tying his career best. Then 25, the North Vancouver native appeared to be on the cusp of bigger things, and Austin had that in mind when he lured Watt down the QEW.
Now 27, Watt will try to make an impact in a group of Ticats receivers that isn’t short on knowledge or savvy.
“When I signed, it was the contract I had been waiting for, and then when the injury happened, I took a big hit mentally,” Watt said. “It was tough because it was in the off-season … I didn’t know what the plan was, but Hamilton saw something in me. They have taken care of me.”
Austin is intrigued to see what Watt can do on the field.
“He adds experience, has good speed for us and he is also a pretty physical kid so he will block in the run game as well and block down field,” Austin said. “I think early on (in camp), we weren’t sure if he was tentative because of the injury or because he is learning. But as he has got in better shape and understands the offence more, he has improved quite a bit.”

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/06/09...nto-cfl-action

[R.J]

I was listening to Marsh and Milton and they were insisting that his family emergency was real and not a hold out. Considering it's not a new deal but just a restructuring of the existing one, that smells fishy to me.

If he "magically" shows up to Hamilton now after the contract restructure - I think we'll have our answer.

[AngeloV]

If he "magically" shows up to Hamilton now after the contract restructure - I think we'll have our answer.

Despite my feelings on this situation, I have to say, I really like the way that Steve Milton and Drew Edwards protect the players of the team they cover. Guys like Steve Simmons and Dave Feschuck can really take a lesson from them and stop trying to dig up dirt.

I mean who cares what a hot dog vendor has to say, or who is in a casino at 2am?

[R.J]

So Brandon Banks is back in Hamilton............................

[Jayahre]

So Brandon Banks is back in Hamilton............................

Yea after all the talk about it being a "family issue" he shows up in Hamilton the day AFTER he signs a new contract...............lol

[jerrym]

This video looks at those flying-under-radar at Tiger Cats' TC.

http://ticats.ca/video/training-camp...nted-by-nissan

[jerrym]

Austin's expectations for pre-season game based on TC.

http://ticats.ca/video/june-10-kent-austin

[jerrym]

A discussion of what John Chick brings to the Tiger Cats and Hamilton:

“John is an incredible talent that brings significant CFL experience, professionalism and a winning pedigree to our team,” Tiger-Cats Vice-President of Football Operations, General Manager and Head Coach Kent Austin said following the signing. “He has the ability to create pressure on the quarterback and has been solid against the run throughout his career.” ...
Chick has always pride himself in getting involved in community initiatives. Since coming to Hamilton, he participated in the Community Softball Classic the Tiger-Cats held on May 15 and will only continue to get more involved with the Ticats fans and the people of Hamilton.
“Wherever we’re [his family] at, we believe that’s our community, and I always believe it’s our obligation to be as involved as we can.”
Chick came into the league in 2007 when he joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He would then spend 2010-2012 in the NFL before re-joining the Riders. During his CFL career, Chick has shoved his way to 53 quarterback sacks, 170 tackles and 10 forced fumbles. He would also win a Grey Cup in 2009, the same year he was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Following the signing, Chick said he was very excited and ready to embark on a new chapter in his career. “No matter where you are in life, change can always be a good thing.”
Chick joins a unit that was arguably the most dominant on the defensive side of the ball last season while also adding some veteran leadership to the young group. That being said, Chick was well aware the importance behind him fitting in with his new teammates than his own personal success.
“It’s not so much about personal stats than as it is how you fit as a whole,” said Chick. That’s something Chick expressed his excitement about while also looking back on his success and building on the same goals he has in place for himself year after year. He will bring a high-energy playing style for fans to be entertained by and offences to fear come game days. ...
The 33-year-old Chick is eager and excited to play in front of the Ticats crowd at Tim Horton’s Field and spoke fondly of the fan base that Hamilton has to offer. “I find it unique. It’s more of a metropolis, you’ve got your pick between basketball, baseball, football, hockey, all those different things going on and yet you still have a pretty spectacular fan base.” The former Rider mentioned he’d always notice and feel the impact of the crowd. Whether it was at Ivor Wynne, in Guelph, or at Tim Horton’s Field, he reflected on his time as a Rider and a visiting player. “To be in a place like this where the fan base is strong and to see where the club has been the last few years, it’s something I very much am looking forward to.”

http://ticats.ca/chick-excited-for-o...y-with-ticats/

[jerrym]

Austin's Argo post-game comments.

http://ticats.ca/video/coach-austin-june-11-post-game

[jerrym]

Video interview with Brandon Banks after his first practice:

http://ticats.ca/video/brandon-banks-june-13th

[jerrym]

Day 17 of Tiger Cat TC with a focus on National players:

http://ticats.ca/video/training-camp...nted-by-nissan

[jerrym]

Austin comments on Day 16 of TC:

http://ticats.ca/video/coach-austin-june-13th

[R.J]

Ticats lose their two projected starting corners
http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/...t-the-corners/

[R.J]

http://3downnation.com/2016/06/15/ei...ackets-unsafe/

Tim Hortons field is starting to remind me of Investors Group Field; so many issues and both are in the courts right now. Why can't things be built properly anymore ?

[AngeloV]

http://3downnation.com/2016/06/15/ei...ackets-unsafe/

Tim Hortons field is starting to remind me of Investors Group Field; so many issues and both are in the courts right now. Why can't things be built properly anymore ?

Probably because too many politicians are involved in the business end of these things, and go on the cheap. You get what you pay for.

[1argoholic]

I'd place the blame on lame workmanship. Most likely the guy installing the bolts was too busy tweeting and forgot to tighten them because coffee break hit. Could be the use of cheap Chinese steel instead of quality Steeltown products. It happens.

Hopefully the first serious wind doesn't blow the new structures down at BMO.

[R.J]

RT .@scratchingpost#Ticats are working out veteran DB Geoff Tisdale. Could provide corner help after recent injuries. #CFL #HamOnt

— CFL News (@CFL_News) June 16, 2016

KC's not going to like this.

[R.J]

http://ticats.ca/june-17-tiger-cats-...e-on-facebook/

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Thursday that working with their digital media partner, Stadium Digital, they will be live streaming on Facebook the Ticats home preseason game tomorrow night against the Ottawa Redblacks. It will mark the first-ever major Canadian professional sporting event, and first professional football game in North America, that will be streamed using Facebook Live.

Good on Bob Young and the Ticats organization. The CFL needs more owners like Bob Young.

[KCargosfan]

KC's not going to like this.

haha. On the contrary, if we get to play against Tisdale, that is fine by me.