Tiger-Cats already in reruns & 12 different ideas on Hamilton’s 29-25 loss to the Edmonton Elks
As a child of the Nineteen Nineties, one of the most issues I hated about tv in the summertime was once reruns.
Again sooner than dozens of streaming services and products had been developing content material year-round, tv networks stuffed the summer season months with previous episodes in their hottest displays from the prior 12 months.
Should you neglected an episode of Frasier or Seinfeld all over their preliminary run, it was once nice as a result of it is advisable catch up. However should you watched all of the episodes once they at first aired, it made for some beautiful uninteresting weekday evenings in July.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats should be waxing nostalgic about their collective childhoods as a result of they’ve spent the summer season appearing reruns of their very own worst episodes.
The Ticats as soon as once more gave up a halftime lead on Friday, this time a 10-point one, to the prior to now winless Edmonton Elks and in the end misplaced the sport 29-25 when a Dane Evans turnover was once returned by means of the defence for a landing.
That is the second one directly house sport the place the Ticats have given away a double-digit halftime lead and the place Evans has been stripped of the ball for a defensive landing.
Like I stated, reruns. However no less than when The Simpsons or Buddies ran a rerun in 1998, they had been humorous.
That is like staring at reruns of Joey.
Giveaway Dane
There’s no extra sugarcoating it, not more downplaying it, and not more overlaying for it. The questions surrounding Dane Evans’ skill to be a franchise quarterback wish to get started being requested.
Whilst he was once by no means that protecting of the soccer even in his upward push to status in 2019 — Evans threw 13 interceptions in 11 begins in the end — what we have now noticed this 12 months is a regression so steep, it’s nearly improbable.
Evans tossed any other two interceptions and misplaced any other fumble in Friday evening’s loss. The general turnover was once the killer, as Edmonton defensive again Jalen Collins scooped up the ball for a walk-in landing that gave the Elks a overdue lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
You’re going to listen so much about how either one of Evans’ interceptions got here off tipped balls, about how they don’t seem to be his fault and are only a case of unhealthy good fortune. Don’t purchase into it. A few of his turnovers have come because of some unlucky instances however all unhealthy good fortune comes about in part as a result of deficient decision-making. Evans’ decision-making has been very questionable because the season started.
His first interception most certainly will have to were stuck however Evans was once indecisive in what he sought after to do and fired a overdue ball into the chest of operating again Sean Thomas-Erlington. Edmonton would kick a box purpose to finish the power.
His moment got here at the very subsequent power when Evans compelled a ball to receiver Papi White, who was once blanketed by means of Elks’ defensive again Nafees Lyon. The move was once damaged up and landed within the palms of defensive finish Matthew Thomas. The Elks would in finding the top zone at the resulting power when quarterback Tre Ford hit receiver Kenny Lawler for a 10-yard landing that tied the sport at 22.
Should you do the straightforward math, that implies Evans’ 3 turnovers ended in 17 issues for the Elks. Evans now has 8 interceptions and 4 misplaced fumbles in simply 4 video games this 12 months. He additionally best has 5 landing passes at the season, which means his touchdown-to-turnover ratio is an abominable 5:12.
If Evans had simply 1/2 of the turnovers he these days has, the Ticats are most certainly no worse than 1-3 and may have squeaked to 2-2. Evans turning over the soccer at his present clip is the principle reason his workforce is winless after 4 video games.
Preserving the fallacious man
Something we will have to nip within the bud at the moment, on the other hand, is the concept the Tiger-Cats made a mistake in conserving Evans over Jeremiah Masoli, who signed with the Ottawa Redblacks in unfastened company.
If we’re being truthful with ourselves, the Ticats would most likely nonetheless be winless even though Masoli was once underneath centre and Evans had left for Ottawa.
If truth be told, Masoli’s new workforce may be winless in 2022, having dropped their first 3 video games of the season whilst the offence that the previous Tiger-Cat is piloting has regarded some distance from efficient.
Evans’ present downside of shielding the soccer is similar factor lovers had with Masoli on every occasion he was once the starter. To behave as though Masoli didn’t make the similar bonehead choices sport in and sport out could be disingenuous.
Right through his stint because the most commonly unquestioned starter for the Tiger-Cats from Labour Day, 2017 till ultimate season, Masoli had one stretch the place he gave the impression of he could be in a position to give protection to the soccer with some consistency. That was once the tail finish of the 2017 season the place he threw 15 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions in 10 video games.
The ten-year veteran threw 18 interceptions in 18 video games in 2018, seven in five-and-a-half video games in 2019, and 6 ultimate 12 months. His landing totals the ones years had been 28, 9 and 10 respectively.
Sooner or later, we’re going to have the dialogue about if the Ticats saved the fallacious quarterback however that point isn’t now. I don’t have any doubt that without reference to the verdict the Tabbies made this low season, each Ottawa and Hamilton could be in the very same positions they’re these days: winless.
2d-half struggles
If as soon as is an coincidence, two times is a accident, and 3 times is a development, then what does that make 5 instances? As a result of Friday’s evening loss to Edmonton was once the 5th directly sport by which Hamilton has been outscored by means of greater than a landing in the second one 1/2.
Relationship again to ultimate 12 months’s Gray Cup in opposition to Winnipeg, the Tiger-Cats were outscored in the second one 1/2 and additional time in their ultimate 5 contests 26-15, 24-10, 30-6, 12-3, and 20-6.
The fourth quarter and additional time were particularly terrible, with the Ticats being outscored by means of a mixed 86-25.
The Ticats’ seven drives in the second one 1/2 in opposition to Edmonton ended with a neglected box purpose, a box purpose, two consecutive interceptions, a punt, any other box purpose, a fumble, and a turnover on downs. They failed to pick out up a primary down on 4 drives and best made it into the pink zone two times within the sport and as soon as in the second one 1/2, each and every time settling for brief Michael Domagala box targets.
A part of this loss of good fortune is simply too many turnovers however even if Dane Evans isn’t giving the opposition the ball, the offence simply isn’t doing sufficient to stay this workforce in video games or lengthen leads.
They’ve scored simply 12 mixed issues in 4 second-half quarters at house after taking huge leads into the locker room at halftime. This is utterly inexcusable and speaks not to simply an execution factor however a training one as smartly.
To make a transformation
With the Tabbies heading into their first of 3 bye weeks, we’re most likely going to listen to so much concerning the varieties of main adjustments this workforce will have to make, if it is benching the beginning quarterback, making a transformation at offensive coordinator or doing the reputedly unthinkable and making a transformation at head trainer.
A long way be it for me to be the voice of reason why however I don’t foresee a situation the place the Ticats make any of the ones adjustments. Perhaps they make a industry or reduce an underperforming veteran, however I don’t see the workforce making an attempt a headline-grabbing transfer like those many lovers are hoping to look.
In spite of his struggles, does someone truly consider that benching Dane Evans and putting in Matthew Shiltz because the beginning quarterback would make any main distinction? Shiltz is a wonderful participant however there’s a reason why the Montreal Alouettes saved bringing in avid gamers to switch him.
Firing coaches midseason is a panic transfer and seldom ends up in a workforce creating a climb up the standings. The ultimate time the Ticats made this sort of transfer was once in 2017 and whilst the workforce obviously stepped forward going 6-4 after beginning 0-8, it was once nonetheless no longer sufficient to make the playoffs.
Something that Tiger-Cats workforce had that this one doesn’t is a ready-made alternative. Kent Austin stepped down and passed the task to June Jones. If the workforce was once going to switch Orlondo Steinauer, who would take his position?
Lovers are already disappointed with the offence’s efficiency underneath coordinator Tommy Condell, so there’s no method it is advisable promote that transfer. Defensive coordinator Mark Washington may make a just right alternative however that seems like including an excessive amount of to his plate if he was once to proceed in his present function.
The one different in-house choices are younger coaches like Craig Butler or skilled palms that most certainly aren’t head training subject matter, like linebackers trainer Robin Ross, line of defense trainer Randy Melvin or offensive line trainer Mike Gibson.
All of those similar causes lengthen to the lovers’ want to look Condell proven the door. There’s no one in-house or out of doors the group that might substitute him.
Love it or no longer, that is the training group of workers that can most likely see this workforce via to the top of the season.
Tre SZN
When the Elks introduced that Canadian Tre Ford was once going to begin at quarterback, numerous Tiger-Cats lovers had been salivating considering of what this defence may just do in opposition to a rookie quarterback making his first occupation get started.
I used to be terrified. Now not as a result of I feel Ford is the following nice quarterback within the league, however as a result of his talent set is tailored to milk Hamilton’s greatest defensive weak spot of the ultimate half-decade: containing a cell quarterback.
Right through his collegiate occupation on the College of Waterloo, Ford rushed for two,816 yards and 19 touchdowns in his 4 seasons with the Warriors. His skill to make use of his ft to increase performs or destroy include suits the mildew of the kind of quarterback that has given Hamilton suits. Assume Saskatchewan’s Cody Fajardo or Montreal’s Vernon Adams.
When Brandon Bridge began for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in opposition to the Tiger-Cats a couple of seasons in the past, he flummoxed the Ticats’ defence as a result of his skill to make use of his ft to increase or make performs, very similar to what Ford is in a position to doing. Bridge would lead the Riders to a victory that day.
Ford had a tight sport in opposition to the Ticats, finishing 15-of-26 passes for 159 yards with one landing and one interception, nevertheless it was once his speeding that truly helped the Elks get the win. He rushed for 61 yards on simply six carries, with two of his runs selecting up first downs in second-and-long eventualities.
Whilst I feel probably the most prime reward for Ford following the sport is somewhat excessive, I’m really not in the slightest degree stunned he discovered good fortune in opposition to a Hamilton defence that has had problems with avid gamers of his talent set for years now.
A run sport of varieties
For the primary time all season, the Ticats made up our minds to make use of the run sport, albeit to combined effects.
Seven of Hamilton’s first 8 performs had been run performs and in general the workforce rushed the ball 23 instances for 105 yards. Working again Wes Hills — making his first occupation get started — led the way in which with 40 yards on 8 carries, adopted carefully by means of Dane Evans who had 39 yards on 8 carries.
Blending the run with the move labored early, conserving Edmonton’s defence guessing, nevertheless it wasn’t completely efficient as 12 in their runs, discounting quarterback sneaks, went for 4 or fewer yards. When greater than 1/2 of your general speeding makes an attempt select up 4 yards or much less you don’t seem to be the usage of the operating sport successfully.
Some other week, any other leave out
I may just most certainly copy-and-paste this each and every week, however kicker Michael Domagala neglected any other box purpose, marking the fourth directly week he has neglected no less than one box purpose or further level.
Whilst some will indicate that an early neglected box purpose was once vital in what became out to be a four-point loss, this is most certainly unfair. Whilst I undoubtedly suppose he will have to have made the kick, the Ticats would have discovered a option to lose this sport without reference to its result.
With Lirim Hajrullahu signing with the Nationwide Soccer League’s Dallas Cowboys on Friday, any hopes that the previous Ticats’ all-star would come to save lots of the day are long gone. Love it or no longer, it seems like the Ticats may not be creating a kicking trade any time quickly.
The spotlight of the sport
There was once no longer so much to love about Hamilton’s efficiency on Friday evening however the only guy that continues to face out in what’s already beginning to really feel like a misplaced season is go back guy Lawrence Woods.
Woods had come with reference to breaking a couple of returns previous this season however he after all did so in opposition to Edmonton, returning a kickoff 72 yards to the home for the primary landing of his CFL occupation.
Woods completed the sport with 144 yards on 5 kickoff returns, 25 yards on 3 punt returns and 4 yards on one neglected box foal go back.
In a season that has no longer had many brilliant spots, the ascent of Lawrence Woods into one of the most league’s premier go back males has been one in all them.
Canada Day blunder
When Canada Day falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, this is a no-brainer for the CFL to time table a sport. If truth be told, I feel the league made a mistake in no longer doing a Canada Day doubleheader.
Until you might be enthralled with the present drama in regards to the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and their celebrity avid gamers Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, there’s little or no else occurring within the carrying global at the moment. This was once a chief alternative for the league to capitalize on that and time table two video games for Canada Day, one within the east and one within the west.
The Ticats and Elks may have kicked off at 4:00 p.m. native time with the Riders and Als sport scheduled for Saturday offering the nightcap in this nation’s birthday. I do know that primetime is primetime for a reason why nevertheless it simply felt fallacious not to have Canadian soccer to look at on a Canada Day afternoon.
It was once a golden alternative for the league to make the day theirs and so they handed it up.
East vs. West: why do other folks care?
With Hamilton’s loss to the Elks, the East Department is now a horrendous 1-9 in opposition to their western opposite numbers thus far in 2022.
Why does someone care?
Perhaps as a result of I’ve spent my whole existence in Ontario, I’ve by no means truly understood that form of regional pleasure. It has at all times at a loss for words me as to why someone cared how one department fared in opposition to the opposite.
That is truly only a CFL factor, too.
You don’t listen NBA lovers speaking about East as opposed to West or NFL lovers speaking about American Soccer Convention as opposed to Nationwide Soccer Convention.
You don’t even listen it concerning the divisions both. I’ve by no means as soon as heard a Buffalo Expenses or New England Patriots fan chirp a Denver Broncos or Las Vegas Raiders fan concerning the AFC East going 11-5 in opposition to the AFC West on every occasion the ones two divisions meet in a season.
Perhaps if I lived out west, I’d realize it higher however the entire East as opposed to West factor hasn’t ever mattered to me. It confounds me that it issues to someone.
Going too some distance and no longer some distance sufficient
With underneath 3 mins to head within the first quarter, Ticats’ linebacker Kam Kelly was once referred to as for roughing the passer on Tre Ford. Had the penalty no longer been referred to as, it will were 3rd down and the Elks would have attempted a box purpose. As a substitute, the Elks got a recent set of downs and scored a landing 3 performs later.
That was once a foul name.
I perceive the will to give protection to the quarterback however seeing that play a lot of instances, what Kelly did simply doesn’t upward push to the extent of a roughing flag for me. It was once a troublesome shove nearly in an instant after the ball was once launched. That felt very ticky-tacky and was once a large momentum booster for the Elks.
On this similar sport, Dane Evans was once hit after giving himself up on a run and whilst I will be able to see the argument that Evans slid too overdue, if you’re going to pass as far as to give protection to the quarterback at the Kelly hit on Ford then this one must be referred to as as smartly.
And don’t even get me began on if that play was once the opposite direction and the person doing the hitting wore No. 21 for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
For the file, I don’t suppose both play will have to were flagged however I feel if you’re going to be wary in protective the quarterback — and that’s obviously the aim of those calls — then a flag was once warranted on each.
Up subsequent
The Ticats get a much-needed — albeit perhaps no longer a much-deserved — relaxation week with the workforce now on their first bye week this season.
Some adjustments, both minor or main, will wish to be remodeled the following week sooner than the workforce comes again to prep for his or her 3rd house sport of the season, a vital divisional matchup with the Ottawa Redblacks.
We all know Hamilton will input that sport 0-4 and it’s completely conceivable the these days 0-3 Redblacks will as smartly, with their fourth sport of the season being a hard street take a look at in Saskatchewan.
Those are two groups that many had as contenders within the East and each are off to the slowest of gradual begins.
This will probably be Jeremiah Masoli’s first go back and forth again to Hamilton since he departed the workforce in unfastened company, and he’s going to deliver numerous acquainted faces with him within the type of fellow former Tiger-Cats akin to receiver Jaelon Acklin, offensive lineman Darius Ciraco and operating again Jackson Bennett.
It’s unhealthy sufficient that the Tabbies are 0-4. It was once unhealthy sufficient that they misplaced a result in a workforce as unhealthy because the Elks at house.
The cacophony of boos and curse phrases dropping rain from the stands at Tim Hortons Box will probably be deafening if Masoli and Co. come again to Hamilton and hand the workforce their 5th directly loss and extra bury them within the basement of the East Department.
