By: Justin Boone
jboone@ticats.ca
We’re days away from the advent of free agency and it’s time to set our sights on players on the market who may be wearing Black and Gold in the coming weeks.
Bob O’Billovich has been putting the phone on his desk to good use, as he improves the Tabbies roster prior to turning his attention to the draft. Today, however, we’re sneaking into his office, sitting down at his chair, and playing the role of Ticats GM, as we take a look at the top free agents that may be lured to Hamilton.
Matt Dominguez – WR
2007 Stats: 45 catches, 761 yards, 5 TDs
The five year veteran knows his way around the trainers room, suffering two season ending injuries in the last three years, but his talent can’t be denied. When healthy, Dominguez is a stud in any team’s receiving corps, so the Cats have to consider him.
Potential Suitors Outside Steel Town: Edmonton, Saskatchewan
Tony Miles – WR
2007 Stats: 24 catches, 433 yards, 4 TDs
Another five-year veteran, Miles is two seasons removed from a 91-catch campaign and would be a welcome addition to the Ticats roster. The offence needs more skill at receiver, so whether it comes through Dominguez or Miles in free agency or by virtue of a trade, you can expect that change is on the horizon for the Tabbies pass catchers.
Potential Suitors Outside Steel Town: Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton
Tom Canada – DE
2007 Stats: 28 tackles, 12 Sacks
Arguably the most coveted free agent on the market this year, Canada’s agent will be busy fielding offers from across the league. Despite his misleading name, Canada is an import player, but that won’t stop clubs from pushing their wheelbarrows full of twoonies his way. Ticats faithful are certainly daydreaming about the possibility of a pass rush featuring Nautyn McKay-Loescher on one end and Canada on the other.
Potential Suitors Outside Steel Town: Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Saskatchewan
Dario Romero – DT
2007 Stats: 28 Tackles, 4 Sacks, 1 INT, 1 Fumble Recovered
It’s not the biggest crop of defensive linemen that we’ve seen in the last few years, but Romero leads the way inside the D-line as a 6-foot-3, 300-pound run-stuffer, who can clog up the middle of the offence. The Ticats could use help in their front four, and Romero might be the type of solid addition that could help bolster their defence.
Potential Suitors Outside Steel Town: Winnipeg, B.C., Calgary, Edmonton
Tristan Clovis – S
2007 Stats: 32 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 3 INTs, 1 Fumbled Recovered
Clovis would join Jesse Lumsden and Ray Mariuz as the only McMaster Alumni on the Cats current roster. As a talented young Canadian defensive back, the second year safety should have his choice of a few destinations where he could land, with Hamilton right in the mix.
Potential Suitors Outside Steel Town: Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatchewan
Who do you want to see the Ticats sign come February 15? Anyone you think I left out? E-mail me at jboone@ticats.ca
Easier Said Than Done
(Quote of the Week)
“When you lose a bet, my dad always taught me, you pay, so I am paying today.”
Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz stood in the cold on Monday in Saskatchewan wearing a green Roughriders jersey, as Saskatchewan fans drove by honking their horns at him. It was the final payment of a Grey Cup wager he made with Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco. Katz agreed to purchase four Roughriders season tickets and even wore a Rider’s jersey to a city council meeting in December.
In Case You Blinked
(News from the Week)
In a rather surprising move, the Roughriders sent all-star defensive end Fred Perry to the Edmonton Eskimos, in exchange for backup quarterback Steven Jyles and a swap of second round picks in the upcoming Canadian College draft. Perry has a never-ending motor, and was a piston on the D-line for the Grey Cup champs. He brings to the Eskimos 70 tackles, eight sacks and three fumble recoveries in 18 games last season. Jyles is a career third-stringer, and will likely continue in the role he has perfected over his first two seasons. Toques off to Edmonton on that one.
