Kyle Myers
Ticats.ca
Wednesday afternoon at McMaster’s Ron Joyce Stadium marked the first day of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats mini-camp, and the buzz in the air could be felt even on the sidelines. Much of the excitement stemmed from the fact that there were so many new faces on the field, none of whom were more important or more anticipated than Kent Austin.
The practice marked the first time that the new GM and Head Coach took the field with his squad. Austin, a Grey Cup Champion who last coached the University of Cornell in the Ivy League, ran his team through drills and got his first personal look at many of the players who currently make up the Tiger-Cats roster.
Austin spent the first practice working almost exclusively with the quarterbacks; running drills and ensuring that he was comfortable with the fundamental skills of each of the four pivots currently on the roster.
One of those quarterbacks – Brian Brohm, an NCAA standout at Lousville and second-round NFL draft pick of the Green Bay Packers – was officially signed Wednesday morning and got his first taste of a Canadian football field.
“It was nice to get on the field, get used to 12 man football, get used to the bigger field,” Brohm said after practice. Brohm spent time on a couple of NFL rosters before playing two seasons in the UFL and is excited to get a fresh start in a new football league.
“All of it’s going to be a bit of an adjustment, but I’m going to get used to it as quickly as I can,” he said. “The more reps I can get the better I’ll be.”
Of course, the quarterback that everyone had their eyes on was returning starter and reigning CFL passing leader Henry Burris. Burris is coming off a season in which he had career highs in all major statistical categories, yet he seemed eager as ever to get back on the field and continue working to the ultimate goal of a Grey Cup Championship in Hamilton.
“The attitude that’s around here is all about winning, and that’s very refreshing” Burris said. “They’re building the right attitude around here, and it’s very exciting to be a part of.”
Burris now faces the difficult task of improving on a career season, but his positive attitude is infectious, and his veteran presence will serve as a good example for the young players on the team.
The practice was also running back Martell Mallett’s first time on the field since tearing his Achilles tendon just one year ago during training camp. Cleared by doctors for contact, Mallett certainly didn’t look to be lacking any of the speed or explosiveness which saw him tally over 1,200 yards rushing and take home the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie Award with the BC Lions in 2009. Despite his appearance however, Mallett insisted that he still has more to give.
“On a scale of one to ten I’d have to put myself at an eight,” Mallett said. “The doctor said I’m 100% but me, myself, I feel like I can give more.”
But that doesn’t mean that Mallett felt the injury hampered his performance. “I actually don’t even pay attention to my Achilles. Sometimes I forget which leg it is,” he said in regards to the injury which sidelined him for the entire 2012 season.
Mallett believes he’s still got to shake off the rust before he’s back to what he considers game shape.
If he’s healthy and able to return to his 2009 form, Mallett will join Chevon Walker in the backfield and create a formidable due for opposing defenses. Walker had a stellar rookie season in 2012, racking up over 1,000 all-purpose yards and eight total touchdowns.
The season hasn’t yet begun, but already the atmosphere in Hamilton is changing. Coach Austin knows it, the players know it, and if all goes according to plan, soon the fans will see it on the field as well.
