Matt Cauz
CFL.ca
If you’re a Tiger-Cat fan I agree it is difficult to find anything to cheer for after Friday’s 42-8 dismantling at the hands of the Alouettes. That was about as dominant a performance you will see in 2009. Hamilton came into the game looking for something to prove and at the end of the night Montreal proved once again just how superior they are to the rest of the East.
There is, however, one significant positive that can be taken from the game, but more on that in a moment.
Montreal devised the perfect game plan against Hamilton. In the first quarter with the wind at their backs Anthony Calvillo threw the ball 13 times compared to five runs from Avon Cobourne. In the second quarter Cobourne was the offensive focus for Montreal as the team called 10 running plays versus 14 passes. They led 21-0 at the half on their way to embarrassing the home team.
Now if I’m a Hamilton fan there are two main areas of concern. The natural one is at Quarterback. Quinton Porter has been inconsistent all season and was simply overmatched against an Alouette pass rush that notched six sacks. Anyone can see a QB controversy is a brewing in Steeltown. On the other side of the ball the team still lacks a dominant pass rusher.
However all is not lost for the organization, far from it.
You see before the game begun there were high expectations for this Ti-Cat squad. This game against Montreal was supposed to be a measuring stick to see just how far they have come as a team. Now of course they failed the test but there is something bigger going on.
The media, the city and most importantly the team expected to play well against the crown jewel of the CFL. Expectations were running high for a team that went 3-15 a year earlier. I think many people have forgotten just how bad this team was last year – by the way that’s a good sign that your team is doing something right.
After the loss the overwhelming emotion was disappointment. This to me is significant. It says to me the Tiger-Cats organization led by General Manager Bob O’Billovich and Head Coach Marcel Bellefeuille are starting to turn things around. In years past everyone would have just expected a blow-out. How could they not after so many losing seasons? The fan base and the team would be resigned to the fact that they would lose and then after said loss most would just shrug their shoulders, resigned to the reality that their team could not compete.
I love the fact that expectations were probably a bit too high going into Friday night’s game. I would be encouraged by the palpable feeling of disappointment that is hanging over this team. Anger and disappointment are emotions you can build from, much more than resignation.
I know it might seem like the faintest of silver linings after such an ugly loss but if you can look past all that went wrong I believe you can see the building blocks for a playoff competitive team is in the works.
Yes the defence has troubles rushing the passer, but they have delivered several gems this season including shutting down the high flying Stampeders last week. The linebacking corps of Markeith Knowlton, Jamall Johnson and Otis Floyd is arguably the best in the league.
The Porter vs. Kevin Glenn debate notwithstanding the team has most of the pieces in place for a well balanced and explosive attack. They are one dependable, separation creating wide-out away from being considered dangerous. How Bellefeuille deals with his quarterbacks will go a long way in determining just what kind of a future he has as a head coach in the CFL.
Most importantly there is stability with the front office. The acquisition of Floyd, Dave Stala and the seemingly smooth transition of Arland Bruce III from Argonaut public enemy #1 to the team’s most dangerous weapon shows that Hamilton knows what they are doing.
Are they good enough to compete with Montreal? Certainly not this season. But the fact that we can legitimately ask that question is a great sign for the future of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
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