Thread for the Team that Cannot Be Named

[jerrym]

Hamilton has resigned ST/safety Mike Daly.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have re-signed Canadian defensive back Mike Daly to a two-year contract and there's a lot to like about the deal.
Daly has played 49 games over the past three seasons, contributing mostly on special teams (he had 13 tackles on kick coverage units last season.) But, he's good enough to get the team through a game at safety if there's an injury and he can start in a pinch. He made nine starts, including three in 2016.
The Ticats have started a Canadian safety for most of the past four years under head coach Kent Austin and, with former all-star Craig Butler expected to return after knee surgery, will likely do so again in 2017.

That would allow Courtney Stephen, who played safety most of last year, to move back to the field corner spot, giving Hamilton two national starters in the backfield. Daly and second-year man, Jay Langa, will provide valuable depth and special teams work.

http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/...ve-for-ticats/

[jerrym]

The Tiger Cats website has 2016 season highlights for a number of players, including former Argos Chad Owens and Zach Collaros, in case you're missing them.

http://ticats.ca

[PullTogether73]

The Tiger Cats website has 2016 season highlights for a number of players, including former Argos Chad Owens and Zach Collaros, in case you're missing them.

http://ticats.ca

Can't say I ever miss Tiger-Cats highlights, as in I couldn't care less.

[ArgoRavi]

The Tiger Cats website has 2016 season highlights for a number of players, including former Argos Chad Owens and Zach Collaros, in case you're missing them.

http://ticats.ca

That would be a short highlight package for Collaros in particular.

[jerrym]

The Ticats have extended Simoni Lawrence through 2018.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Wednesday that the football club has signed international All-Star linebacker Simoni Lawrence to a contract extension through the 2018 CFL season.
Lawrence, 27, was named a CFL Divisional All-Star for the third consecutive season in 2016. He started 17 games for the Tiger-Cats, recording a team-high 89 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, five tackles for loss, one interception returned for a touchdown, four pass knock downs, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. The 6-1, 228-pound native of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, finished the season ranked fourth in CFL defensive tackles and was named the Shaw CFL Top Performer for Week One

http://www.cfl.ca/2017/01/11/all-sta...th-tiger-cats/

[jerrym]

Hamilton has resigned OL Landon Rice.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Tuesday that the football club has re-signed national offensive lineman Landon Rice to a two-year contract.
Rice, 28, appeared in 10 regular season games with the Tiger-Cats in 2016 and also dressed in the Eastern Semi-Final on November 13 vs. Edmonton. The 6-6, 314-pound native of Brandon, Manitoba, has played in 35 career CFL games over four seasons with the Tiger-Cats (2013-16), starting four times at guard. Rice has also suited up in five playoff games and the 2014 Grey Cup for the Ticats. The University of Manitoba product was originally signed as a free agent by Hamilton on April 2, 2013.

http://ticats.ca/tiger-cats-re-sign-...year-contract/

[jerrym]

Three players, National LBs Mitch Barnett and Geoff Hughes and International Delano Johnson, have been resigned by the Ticats.

Johnson, 28, played in six regular season games and started twice at defensive tackle with the Tiger-Cats last season, registering nine defensive tackles and one quarterback sack. The 6-4, 270-pound native of Baltimore, Maryland, has accumulated 24 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 18 career CFL games with Toronto (2014-15) and Hamilton. Johnson, a product of Bowie State, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the NFL’s Houston Texans in 2012 and spent the season on the team’s practice roster. He attended Houston’s training camp again in 2013 before being released.
Barnett, 23, appeared in 11 games for the Tiger-Cats last season, including his CFL debut on June 23 at Toronto. The 6-1, 192-pound native of North Vancouver, British Columbia, was selected by Hamilton in the seventh round, 59th overall, in the 2016 CFL Draft. He played 12 games in the 2015 season for the University of British Columbia, recording 101 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble, two interceptions and three pass break ups while helping the Thunderbirds win the Vanier Cup.
Hughes, 24, suited up in 10 games with the Tiger-Cats last season, posting two special teams tackles and making his CFL debut on July 15 at Montreal. He originally signed with Hamilton as a free agent on January 14, 2016. The 6-1, 210-pound native of Regina, Saskatchewan, played in 27 games over five seasons for the University of Saskatchewan from 2011 to 2015. He posted career stats of 88 tackles (62 solo, 52 assisted), 3.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and six pass knock downs with the Huskies, while being named an Academic All-Canadian in every season.

http://ticats.ca/tiger-cats-re-sign-...tt-and-hughes/

[jerrym]

The Ticats have signed three Nationals: OL Everton Williams, R Matt Uren and R/K Felix Faubert-Lussier. Only Uren has any CFL experience and his only amounts to one game last year. Faubert-Lussier was injured in TC.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Wednesday that the football club has signed three national offensive players, including offensive lineman Everton Williams, wide receiver Matt Uren and wide receiver/fullback Felix Faubert-Lussier.
Williams, a 6-5, 297-pound converted offensive lineman spent the last two seasons on Hamilton’s practice roster and has yet to make his CFL debut. The native of Toronto, Ontario, played 27 games over four seasons (2011-14) at the University of Toronto at defensive end. He recorded 64.5 defensive tackles (56 solo, 17 assisted), nine tackles for loss, 4.5 quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a blocked kick. Williams was originally signed as a free agent by the Tiger-Cats on April 21, 2015.
Uren, 24, was selected by the Tiger-Cats in the eighth round, 67th overall, in the 2016 CFL Draft and played in one game (his CFL debut) last season on September 24 at Saskatchewan. He played 18 games at Western University from 2011-2015, posting 59 receptions for 800 yards and eight touchdowns. The 5-9, 198-pound native of London, Ontario, tied the OUA/CIS record with four receiving touchdowns in a quarterfinal win over Windsor in 2012, and also won the Dalt White trophy in 2013 as the Yates Cup MVP.
Faubert-Lussier, 24, was selected by Hamilton in the fifth round, 39th overall, in the 2016 CFL Draft. He spent the first-three months of the 2016 season with the Tiger-Cats before being released on August 17 to return to Laval University. The 6-0, 220-pound native of Montreal, Quebec, played 38 games for Laval from 2012 to 2016, posting 129 receptions for 1,823 yards and 17 touchdowns. He won three Vanier Cups in 2012, 2013 and 2016 with the Rouge et Or.

[jerrym]

Hamilton has extended Cassius Vaughn and signed two International DBs Axel Ofori and Keon Lyn.

Vaughn, 29, originally signed with the Tiger-Cats on August 17, 2016 and started the final nine regular season games at defensive back in his rookie CFL season. He recorded 26 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle and five pass knock downs, while adding 130 yards on five kickoff returns.
The 5-11, 195-pound native of Memphis, Tennessee, suited up in 69 National Football League games (23 starts) from 2010 to 2015 with the Denver Broncos (2010-11), Indianapolis Colts (2012-13), Detroit Lions (2014), Baltimore Ravens (2015) and San Diego Chargers (2015), registering 143 total tackles, seven interceptions, one forced fumbled and two interception return touchdowns. Vaughn also returned 25 kickoffs for 703 yards (28.1 average), including a career-high 97-yard return for a touchdown as a Bronco on January 2, 2011 against the Chargers. The University of Mississippi product was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Denver on April 28, 2010.
Lyn, 24, has spent time in the NFL with various teams since 2014, including the Indianapolis Colts (2014), New York Jets (2015), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2015) and Washington Redskins (2016). He also attended the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Mini Camp in 2015. The 6-1, 205-pound native of Miami, Florida, played nine games for the Jacksonville Sharks of the Arena Football League in 2016, registering 19.5 total tackles, four passed defended and two forced fumbles. He also played four seasons of college football at Syracuse University (2010-13), appearing in 38 games with 24 starts, and accumulating 89 tackles, three interceptions, one interception return touchdown, two forced fumbles, one quarterback sack and 13 passes defended.
Ofori Jr., 24, took part in his second pro day at the University of Maine on March 21, 2016 after being hampered by leg injuries in 2015. He posted the day’s top vertical jump (37 inches) and fastest 40-time (4.53). The 5-10, 200-pound native of Gaithersburg, Maryland, played cornerback for the Black Bears from 2010 to 2014, posting 69 tackles and four interceptions in 32 games.

http://ticats.ca/tiger-cats-re-sign-...fensive-backs/

[jerrym]

Jeff Reinebold has been promoted to Tiger Cat Defensive Coordinator.

Jeff Reinebold has been promoted to Defensive Coordinator of the football club. Reinebold had previously served as the team’s Special Teams Coordinator for the last four seasons and also as Linebackers Coach since 2014.
“Jeff is an intelligent, experienced football coach that has been a leader on our staff for the past four years,” said Austin. “His familiarity with our players, coaches and staff will allow for a smooth transition and speaks to our emphasis on the importance of continuity within our organization.”
Reinebold, 59, will enter his fifth season with the Tiger-Cats in 2017. He joined the team as Special Teams Coordinator on February 5, 2013, adding the role of Linebackers Coach in March 2014. The South Bend, Indiana, native has nearly 35 years of coaching experience, including 13 years at the CFL level.

http://ticats.ca/reinebold-named-tig...e-coordinator/

[jerrym]

The Tiger Cats have signed one International and two National DBs.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Tuesday that the football club has re-signed international defensive back Travis Lee, and signed national defensive backs Elroy Douglas and Tyler Storie.
Lee, 26, started six regular season games at cornerback for the Tiger-Cats last season, registering 24 defensive tackles, three tackles for loss and three pass knock downs. He made his CFL debut on July 7 vs. Winnipeg after signing with Hamilton on April 22, 2016. The 6-0, 178-pound native of Atlanta, Georgia, attended the Cleveland Browns rookie mini-camp in 2015. Lee began his collegiate career at Tuskegee University (2011-13) before transferring to Miles College. In 2014, he led the SIAC in interceptions (6) and total passes defended (11), while adding 30 total tackles, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown.
Douglas, 24, was selected by Hamilton in the fifth round, 41st overall, in the 2016 CFL Draft. He appeared in four regular season games for the Tiger-Cats last season, posting two special teams tackles. The 5-10, 186-pound native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, played 40 games at Missouri Western State University over four seasons (2012-15), collecting 54 total tackles, one interception, 10 pass break ups and two forced fumbles. Douglas played in 33 consecutive games in his final three seasons with the Griffons.
Storie, 22, attended Tiger-Cats training camp in 2016 before returning for his second season with the Windsor AKO Fratmen in the Canadian Junior Football League. Last season, Storie was named a CJFL All-Star and Kick Return Specialist of the Year after posting 424 punt return yards on 25 attempts (17.0 avg.) with two touchdowns, and adding 207 kick return yards on 14 attempts (14.8 avg.). The 6-2, 190-pound native of Windsor, Ontario, appeared in 10 games overall with the Fratmen in 2016, registering 22 tackles, seven interceptions, two defensive touchdowns on interception returns, six passes defended and two fumble recoveries. He was also named the CJFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year after his first season in 2015.

http://ticats.ca/tiger-cats-sign-tri...fensive-backs/

[jerrym]

The availability of Condell for the Argos to sign is in part the result of tensions between him and taskmaster HC Austin that resulted in Condell resigning last April but staying in Hamilton afterward.

Condell resigned suddenly from his post with the Ticats last April, citing the “best interests of my family.” But the Condells maintained their residence in Hamilton and there was chatter around the league that tensions between Condell and head coach Kent Austin were a factor in his departure. He spent three seasons with the club, coming on board when Austin took over as general manager and head coach in 2013. The two men also coached together for three seasons at Cornell University before joining the Ticats. ...

In Condell’s final season with Hamilton, the Tiger-Cats had the CFL’s top ranked passing offence and were second in points scored, despite starting four different quarterbacks –Zach Collaros, Jeff Mathews, Jacory Harris, and Jeremiah Masoli – due to injury.
Condell’s addition comes at the end of a tumultuous week for the Argos in which president and CEO Mike Copeland fired general manager Jim Barker then saw Milanovich depart for Jaguars.

http://3downnation.com/2017/01/27/fo...l-joins-argos/

[Argo57]

The availability of Condell for the Argos to sign is in part the result of tensions between him and taskmaster HC Austin that resulted in Condell resigning last April but staying in Hamilton afterward.



http://3downnation.com/2017/01/27/fo...l-joins-argos/

Bakari Grant's comment speaks volumes, hopefully this is step one in building a strong organization and team unity.
Kent Austin must have his familiar sneer on now.

[Will]

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

PLAYER	POS	NAT/INT	STATUS
Adams, Johnny	DB	International
Aprile, Giovanni	WR	National
Chiles, John	WR	International
Coates, Matt	WR	National
Daly, Michael	DB	National	Extended (12/20/16)
Davis, Emanuel	DB	International
Elliott, Kevin	WR	International
Fantuz, Andy	WR	National
Fulton, Xavier	OL	International
Harris, Jacory	QB	International
Herbert, Shane	DB	National
Landry, Beau	LB	National
Lawrence, Kendial	RB	International
Maher, Brett	K	International
Mathews, Jeff	QB	International
Murray, Rico	DB	International
Nevis, Drake	DL	International
Omara, Ron	LB	National
Owens, Chad	WR	International
Page, Cleshawn	DB	International
Raymond, Keon	LB	International
Rice, Landon	OL	National	Extended (01/10/17)
Richardson, Louie	DL	National
Robinson, Jermaine	DB	International
Scott, Da’Rel	RB	International
Sears, Johnny	DB	International
Toliver, Terrence	WR	International
Woodson, Anthony	RB	National

[Will]

The Ticats did re-up Fulton the other day I believe.

[jerrym]

The Ticats did re-up Fulton the other day I believe.

You're right.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Wednesday that the football club has re-signed international offensive lineman Xavier Fulton to a two-year contract.
Fulton, 30, split the 2016 season between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Tiger-Cats, starting 14 regular season games (10 with Saskatchewan, four with Hamilton) and the Eastern Semi-Final at left tackle. He was acquired by the Tiger-Cats on October 10, 2016 along with defensive end Justin Capicciotti from the Roughriders in exchange for defensive tackle Linden Gaydosh, wide receiver Tommy Streeter, and fourth and seventh round selections in the 2017 CFL Draft.

http://ticats.ca/tiger-cats-re-sign-...year-contract/

[jerrym]

Austin has added three new coaches after the loss of Steinauer and Condell.

Kent Austin will have three new faces this season on his Hamilton Tiger-Cats coaching staff.
Austin, Hamilton's head coach/vice-president of football operations, unveiled his staff for 2017 and it includes newcomers Dennis McKnight (special-teams co-ordinator), Phillip Lolley (linebackers coach, defensive run-game co-ordinator) and William Fields (special-teams, defensive assistant).
McKnight and Lolley assume jobs that had previously been held by Jeff Reinebold, who was promoted to defensive co-ordinator after Orlondo Steinauer left to assume the same post at Fresno State.
Austin, Reinebold, Corey Grant (running backs), Dennis McPhee (defensive line) and James Stanley (defensive backs) all return for their fifth seasons with Hamilton.
Stefan Ptaszek (offensive co-ordinator, receivers) and Mike Markuson (offensive line) are both back for their sophomore campaigns.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cf...-cfl-1.3974731

[jerrym]

The following article discusses what the Tiger Cats are likely to do in free agency considering Austin's past tendencies in this area.

First and foremost, Austin has largely eschewed the splashy — and expensive — big-name American free-agent signing.
His highest-profile acquisitions, quarterback Zach Collaros in January 2014 and defensive end John Chick last season, were signed before the official free agency period began and the team has largely steered clear of adding an elite level international player from another team.

Instead, the team has chosen to spend its cash in three areas: Canadian starters, their own pending free agents and under-the-radar players with potential.
In 2014, the team added all-star safety Craig Butler in free agency and also inked former CFL Most Outstanding Canadian Ted Laurent when he came back from the NFL in June.
Last season, Austin signed safety Courtney Stephen right before free agency opened then re-upped Laurent — one of the premier players available — less than 24 hours after the market opened.
All-star linebacker Simoni Lawrence, running back C.J. Gable, receivers Brandon Banks and Luke Tasker, quarterbacks Collaros and Jeremiah Masoli are examples of players the Ticats re-signed before they ever got to market. Offensive lineman Xavier Fulton signed this week and receiver Terrence Toliver reupped late Friday night.
"We are certainly more apt to spend money on guys that we know, guys that have shown production and performance, have sustainability with respect to being on the football field and that we can count on in their performance level," Austin said this week.
"We are likely to be a bit more open to spending money on our own guys, keeping some of our own guys from getting to free agency."
The Ticats have also chased value, looking for players who may have been underutilized by their previous team and available for a reasonable salary cap number.
Linebacker Alex Hoffman-Ellis, signed last February, was an example of that philosophy, if not the execution: he had started 10 games for B.C. the year before and was slated as a potential up-and-comer before getting beat out by Larry Dean in training camp and eventually traded.
Beyond philosophy, the other factor in free agency is, of course, need.
A quick look at the Ticats roster and depth chart exposes a few areas where the team could be looking to shore up. Here are five spots the team could be looking to address and players who might fit the bill come Tuesday.
1. Kicker. After allowing all-star Justin Medlock (and his high price tag) to walk last February, the Ticats held a casting call for kickers before ultimately settling on Brett Maher, who had decent season. But he's set to hit the open market and the team may not be willing to give him a substantial raise on the approximately $65,000 he earned last season. The Ticats had interest in ex-Argo Swayze Waters — both this season and last — but were unwilling to meet his high asking price and he wound up in B.C. Anthony Fera, who spent some time with Montreal in 2016, is available but the team may elect to go through a similar process as last season, opening the doors to all comers in hopes of repeating Maher's relative success.
2. Defensive tackle. American Drake Nevis started 14 games last season, losing playing time down the stretch as the team opted to go with two Canadians for ratio reasons. That scenario is still on the table, lessening the need for an expensive player and the team does have the recently re-signed Delano Johnson under contract. Repatriating Argo Bryan Hall would be popular with fans but is unlikely to happen, though Montreal's Alan-Michael Cash or B.C.'s Mic'hael Brooks could make some sense if the price is right (which it probably won't be.)
3. SAM linebacker. The Ticats ran through several players at this spot, in partly due to injury and partly due to performance, before turning to veteran Keon Raymond late in the season. Johnny Sears and Rico Murray are pending free agents and while both are unquestionably skilled, neither has been able to stay healthy. The issue is that quality SAMs are hard to come by and beyond Raymond, who's 34, there aren't a ton of veteran options.
4. Receiver. There are plenty of big-name pass catchers set to hit the market — Ernest Jackson and Terrell Sinkfield among them — but after re-signing Toliver it's unlikely Hamilton has either the cap space or the inclination to make a big investment in a position they've traditionally filled internally. On the Canadian side, the late-season knee injury to Andy Fantuz severely diminishes his value but Austin has a long-standing relationship with the veteran dating back to their Saskatchewan days and will likely look to find a role for him. The other nationals set to become available aren't appreciably better than current Ticats Giovanni Aprile and Matt Coates and so re-signing one or both would make some sense.
5. Defensive back. The team may have struggled in the secondary last season but the return of Butler and field corner Demond Washington from injury provides some options going forward. Re-signing interception machine Emanuel Davis makes sense for both parties but he may need to test the market to determine his value.

http://www.therecord.com/sports-stor...-free-agency-/

[jerrym]

Terrence Tolliver has tweeted that he has resigned with Hamilton.

Tolivertweeted out a photo of himself inking the deal late Friday night stating that it was a two-year deal.
The club has yet to issue any confirmation.

http://www.cfl.ca/2017/02/10/tigerto...new-deal-cats/

[jerrym]

told @Ticats making WR Andy Fantuz an offer to keep him in Ham. ACL surgery will keep him off field for long stretch but they want him #cfl

— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 11, 2017