By: Justin Boone
For The Record
Mark Bowden is the kind of team vice president that embodies the spirit of his club. His office at 1 Jarvis St is a shrine to Tiger-Cats greats and when you need to get in touch with one of the Black and Gold’s alumni, Mark is the man to go to
So when he received a call a couple weeks ago from one of the club’s former kickers it wasn’t surprising. After catching up briefly, the voice on the other end of the phone explained the true reason for his call. When Mark hung up the phone he decided to look into the callers query.
“That’s so cool that Ozzie was the one that found it, because you wouldn’t always see that from the older player,” said the Ticats current kicker/punter Nick Setta, when I told him that Paul Osbaldiston had contacted the team to bring to light Nick’s new record.
Against Calgary, Setta’s leg was in full force, booming seven punts for 422 yards, including tying his own Ticats record for a 97-yarder, but that wasn’t the important part. The thing that made Osbaldiston pick up the phone was Nick’s average on the day, 64.7 yards per punt, a number that eclipsed Ozzie’s CFL record for highest punting average in a regular season game of 63.5.
“It just shows what kind of guy he is to take the time to actually call in and say something about it,” explained Setta. “It seems like he’s proud of a new player coming in and doing something like that. You don’t get that often, someone wanting to show that someone else did well.”
Records are nothing new to Osbaldiston, who set 37 Ticats marks during his 18-year career in TigerTown, but in a world where low self-esteem can sometimes make people turn egocentric, Ozzie turned the laces out for Setta. Nick, being from the same mold as Ozzie, chose to give full credit to everyone but himself.
“Any time you can get a record in a league as storied as the CFL, it’s an honour. Our coverage team was doing a great job, the line was blocking well and the snaps were right where they needed to be, which makes for a good day for me, but I would have loved to walk away with a win in the game.”
As for Ozzie, Nick plans to thank him next time the two talk. Mark will be giving him Setta’s direct line to be prepared for Nick’s next record-setting performance.
The Ins and Outs
(Storylines from around the CFL)
Balls In Their Court – The football has been kicked off to the West and they haven’t turned it back over to the East yet. The four West teams are dominating their East opponents. The silver lining is that the East remains a wide-open battle, meaning any team can emerge as a potential Grey Cup contender from Manitoba onward.
Down and Out – A series of bad injuries has struck clubs
across the league. Outside of Edmonton WR Jason Tucker’s scare, some other stars have found themselves sidelined for significant periods. DE Fred Perry, WR Andy Fantuz, WR D.J. Flick, RB Tyler Ebell, and Ticats Dylan Barker and Cedric Gagne-Marcoux are all out for the better portion of the year, if not the season itself. Who said depth on a football team wasn’t important?
In Dire Straits – One big name player will be making his debut this week, Milt Stegall. However, the veteran receiver will be returning to a Winnipeg franchise in rough condition. Injuries and general ineffectiveness have brought last year’s runner up to the bottom of the East.
Stick Out Like a Sore Thumb – When your star quarterback leaves the game with an injury to his throwing hand, it’s never good. While Casey Printer’s thumb isn’t the worst ailment that was seen in the last few weeks it is cause for precautions to be taken, so expect him to travel with the team, but not play unless the team’s medical staff is certain he won’t risk further injury.
Easier Said Than Done
(Quote of the Week)
“That’s why I’ve given Hancock and Oskee See See.”
Ticats running back John Williams, in his Pigskin Cinema debut on Ticats TV, giving his review of Will Smith’s summer blockbuster Hancock. Williams may not get a lot of carries out of the backfield, but he is one of the league’s best special teams players and his outgoing personality is a perfect match with Ticats TV.
Follow The Leader
(Leaders from CFL and the Ticats)
CFL Rushing – SSK Wes Cates – 84 carries, 493 yards, 7 TDs
Ticats Rushing – HAM Jesse Lumsden – 58 carries, 416 yards, 5 TDs
CFL Passing – MTL Anthony Calvillo – 130/195, 1,653 yards, 14 TDs
Ticats Passing – HAM Casey Printers – 77/121, 987 yards
CFL Receiving – CGY Ken-Yon Rambo – 35 receptions, 519 yards, 2 TDs
Ticats Receiving – HAM Tony Miles– 21 receptions, 223 yards
CFL Tackling – MTL Chip Cox, MTL T.J. Hill – 31 Tackles
Ticats Tackling – HAM Zeke Moreno – 25 Tackles
CFL Interceptions – B.C. Barron Myles – 4 INTs
Ticats Interceptions – HAM Chris Thompson, HAM Rontarius Robinson, HAM Jykine Bradley – 1 INT
CFL Sacks – B.C. Lions Cameron Wake – 6 Sacks
Ticats Sacks – HAM Darrell Adams – 3 Sacks
Let me know your thoughts on the week by sending your e-mails, comments, or questions to jboone@ticats.ca
