By: Justin Boone
If you have a question for a member of the Tiger-Cats organzation, let us know who it’s directed to and send your questions to blackandgold@ticats.ca. On to this weeks e-mails.
Q: Good work on the new site, looks modern and a lot cleaner. The new Ticats TV that plays on the front page or can go full screen is fantastic. We’re better on the field and we’re better on the internet. Now all we’re missing a new cheerleader page. Go Tabbies!
–Andrew Gale
Q: Why on earth do teams feel like they need to change their websites every year? For the amount of time that must go into the switch, there must be some other way those resources could be used. The site is nice and all, but every team in the league comes up with a new design and I don’t think that’s necessary every single season.
–Louie Davidson
A little glass half full glass half empty in the first two submissions. I’m a little bias to comment on the new site, so I’ll reserve judgment, but I understand where Louie is coming from, however with the rate that things are moving online, sites become old by industry standards and it’s important to keep your page fresh and cutting edge. It’s not like the site is simply a new skin, there are plenty of new additions like the aforementioned Ticats TV player which can be accessed right on the main page, or can be made into a full screen player; useful for watching highlights or the lovely Ticats TV host miss Candace Devai’s reports. Overall I think the new site is a huge improvement and is only going to get better in the weeks and months to come as more items are added. And don’t worry Andrew, a new cheerleader page will be here soon enough.
Q: The Tiger-Cats have been outscored 20-1 in the first quarter this season and ever since last season we’ve had trouble containing teams on their opening drive. What’s up with that?
–J.J. Bluth
In the Argos pre-season game, Charlie joked that the game started at 7:00 p.m. and the team showed up at 7:20 p.m., so there may be something to what your saying J.J. I would attribute it to a young team still learning how to win together. They’ve figured out how to not hang their heads when adversity hits, which was seen in the Saskatchewan game when they had multiple opportunities to pack up their tent and go home. They’ve learned how to fight back and take a lead late in the game, even though they eventually lost it was an impressive feat to get that one point edge late. Now they must learn how to pounce on opponents early, especially at home to give the crowd something to wild about. Although if you remember correctly, DB Jykine Bradley opened up the season with a punishing hit against Montreal, sending the crowd into a frenzy, but the rest of that game wasn’t exactly spectacular, so much like the website, let’s hope the improvements keep coming.
Q: I love the Casey Printers show. Nikos Settapopalous is hilarious and Nick Setta isn’t too bad himself as a guest. Marwan Hage could probably make anyone laugh in any situation. I can’t imagine what it’s like being the locker room, they must joke around a lot. Does Casey like taking the time out from his weekly work to do the show?
–Brandon L.
Casey loves doing the show. L
oves it. I think when he came in late last season there may have been a bit of a disconnect being in a new city with a new team initially. As he approaches the anniversary of his arrival in TigerTown, he has embraced his role as the leader of the offence and his play has been indicative of his happiness wearing the Black and Gold. So where am I going with this? Well the radio show, hosted by the voice of the Tiger-Cats, Rick Zamperin, gives Casey an opportunity to speak directly to the fans. Not through a reporter’s microphone, or in words on a page (I think I just insulted myself), but it allows him to discuss the previous game and interact with other players who are more than eager to be guests, like young Nikos.
Q: Did you notice the crowd on Saturday? It might not have been a sellout, but that’s the first game I can remember in a while where no one left until the final whistle. The ending was terrible and we were robbed (sorry I don’t know if you can put that in there or not), but everyone was behind the team right to the end. Even after Saskatchewan’s touchdown, there was still a feeling that we could win with a Casey Hail Mary. If every game is that exciting, the stadium will be packed by the end of the season.
–Phil Wallin
Can’t argue with that. The press box was shaking in the fourth quarter as the crowd felt the comeback happening. As I walked down through the stands after the game on my way to the locker room, a fan stopped me noticing my credential. After such a disappointing loss I expected him to voice that to me, but instead him and his son both looked at me and echoed the same sentiment – The Ticats are legit. He said the same thing your saying Phil, that while the Tabbies had fewer points at the end of the day, they fought hard and refused to back down. When I reached the locker room the feeling amongst the players was the same. In training camp they talked about the team being better, but no one really knows until you take the field. On opening day, doubt crept into their minds with the way they lost, but in the last two weeks they’ve proven to themselves that they can line up with anyone in the CFL and Calgary will be the next test this Thursday.
