By: Justin Boone
jboone@ticats.ca
Along with the arrival of 2008, comes a mix of hope and uncertainty from fans in all corners of TigerTown. Sure the Tiger-Cats are one of the most storied clubs in Canadian sports, but in recent years their tale has been a frustrating one to recount for the team and fans alike.
However, the Black and Gold’s supporters have shown their heart and passion and kept the energy in Ivor Wynne Stadium and that won’t change in 2008.
On Tuesday, I wrote an article depicting the Tabbies as the underdog who was ready to shock the world. No, I’m not drinking the Black and Gold kool-aid, I truly believe that this will be a surprising year in the CFL.
The quick answer to anyone feeling that it will be another down season in Hamilton is Lumsden. Printers. Moreno. Hage. Setta. Those names represent the skill that the Ticats now boast in all three facets of the game.
If the Ticats were a franchise sitting on their hands, content with losing, then it would be an easy decision to pull an about-face, but in the last year pay close attention to the moves the team has made.
The signing of Casey Printers: It was the most meaningful victory for the Ticats in a long time. Printers solidifies the quarterback position for the first time since Danny McManus stood under centre in the Steel city.
Experienced at Coordinator: Denny Creehan and Marcel Bellefeuille have both enjoyed previous success in the CFL, and give Hamilton a deep well of knowledge for players to draw from.
Infusion of Young Canadian Talent: Jesse Lumsden, Marwan Hage, Chris Bauman, Cedric Gagne-Marcoux, Peter Dyakowski, and Nautyn Mckay-Loescher, among others, give Hamilton one of the brightest groups of young players born north of the border.
Although the general consensus is that the Ticats will be a much more talented squad in 2008, it might be easier to look at the situation with other clubs in the East. Winnipeg fresh off their Grey Cup defeat may be lacking some of the motivation they had a year ago. Montreal’s roster is chalked full of aging players, and now has a coach that is a Canadian football rookie. Finally the Argos, the Tabbies long-time rivals, will also sport a new coach, and until they prove otherwise, the same inconsistent offence that failed them late last season.
When you contemplate the East, it’s completely feasible that the Cats might not only make the playoffs, but host that match-up. The team is so confident in their post-season chances that they are willing to bite the pigskin and give back 25 percent if the club isn’t involved in meaning November game.
For fans who may not have had the chance to see emerging stars like running back Jesse Lumsden breaking off runs behind the Cats O-line, or Zeke Moreno hunting down ball carriers as the centre of the defence, this is your opportunity to join a team on the rise.
As the Ticats plan to take the field at the beloved Ivor Wynne in 2008, the question is will you be there to cheer on their resurgence?
If you haven’t purchased your season tickets yet, you can still do so by calling 905-547-2287 ext. 225 or e-mailing blackandgold@ticats.ca
We’ll see you on the road to the playoffs.
