Veteran Evans comfortable in starting role with Hamilton Tiger-Cats

HAMILTON – The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are now Dane Evans’ workforce.

The affable quarterback starts his fourth campaign with Hamilton, but first as its starter. Evans shared No. 1 responsibilities with veteran Jeremiah Masoli the past two seasons, but Masoli is now with the Ottawa Redblacks soon after being released by the Ticats when Evans bypassed free agency to indication a two-calendar year extension with the club.

“I’ve generally ready the similar way, I sense like I often approached it as ‘the man,’” Evans claimed. “So for me, absolutely nothing has altered other than every person else is now telling me I’m the dude.

“It’s been the exact for me often.”

Evans commenced his CFL tenure with Hamilton in 2018, and he and Masoli gave the franchise the very best of equally worlds. With two bona fide starters in tow, the Ticats have produced two straight Grey Cup appearances, while each resulted in heartbreaking losses to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Evans was Hamilton’s starter in equally championship contests. He relieved Masoli in the ‘21 East Division last, finishing 16-of-16 passing for 249 yards and a touchdown whilst dashing for a pair of fourth-quarter TDs to rally the Ticats to a 27-19 highway acquire about the Toronto Argonauts.

Evans began Hamilton’s 33-25 overtime Gray Cup reduction to Winnipeg, leaving in the 2nd quarter with a neck personal injury. Masoli guided the Ticats to a 22-10 fourth-quarter guide but they necessary Michael Domagala’s 13-garden field intention into a stiff wind at 19:54 to drive the more session.

Zach Collaros’s 13-lawn TD strike to Darvin Adams and two-stage conversion to Rasheed Bailey place the Bombers ahead 33-25. Kyries Wilson cemented the victory by intercepting Masoli on the Ticats’ possession, to the dismay of the partisan Tim Hortons Industry gathering.

Hamilton’s selection to re-signal Evans was not surprising. He is five many years Masoli’s junior and posted a 12-6 file as a starter, finishing 393-of-562 passes (70 per cent) for 4,924 yards with 29 TDs and 18 interceptions.

Hamilton signed veteran Matthew Shiltz in no cost company as Evans’ backup this off-season. Shiltz used the 4 former seasons with Montreal.

Masoli wasn’t Hamilton’s lone off-season reduction. Shawn Burke, who spent almost 15 several years in the club’s front place of work, turned Ottawa’s standard supervisor and signed Canadian offensive lineman Darius Ciraco and American receiver Jaelon Acklin — equally previous Ticats starters — in no cost company.

The Ticats and veteran receiver Brandon Banking companies, the CFL’s superb participant in 2019, also mutually parted means. Financial institutions signed as a no cost agent with the archrival Toronto Argonauts.

Veteran Bralon Addison is anticipated to anchor Hamilton’s acquiring corps. Addison experienced a stellar ‘19 year (95 receptions, 1,236 yards, seven TDs) but was limited to just a few game titles (18 catches, 231 yards) last 12 months due to injuries.

Canadian receiver Lemar Durant, who signed with Hamilton as a absolutely free agent pursuing 6 seasons with the B.C. Lions and Calgary Stampeders, opens the 12 months on the six-activity hurt list.

Hamilton’s defence again appears solid.

The Ticats extra veteran defensive lineman Micah Johnson to be part of a front that incorporates returning tackles Dylan Wynn and Canadian Ted Laurent and finish Julian Howsare. Simoni Lawrence, the East Division’s leading defensive player very last yr, anchors the linebacking corps with veterans Jovan Santos-Knox and Kameron Kelly.

An professional secondary was bolstered by the return of American defensive back Richard Leonard. He spent 2021 with Calgary following playing his 1st 3 CFL seasons with Hamilton.

But defensive back again Cariel Brooks, who finished tied for the CFL direct in interceptions previous 12 months with five, starts on the six-recreation hurt checklist.

Sophomore Domagala will managing kicking duties. The St. Catharines, Ont., native produced seven-of-10 industry targets in 7 common-season games previous year but strike a career-prolonged 49-garden try in the Ticats’ 25-23 exhibition gain above Montreal on May possibly 28.

American rookie Simon Laryea opens the year as Hamilton’s punter. Incumbent Joel Whitford designed the squad out of schooling camp but the Australian will commence the period on the injured checklist.

The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Whitford posted a 45.1-lawn ordinary in 12 common-season contests final 12 months. Domagala also taken care of punting responsibilities while Whitford was out.

Hamilton finished 2nd in the East Division very last time with an 8-6 record. Following downing Montreal 23-12 in the conference semifinal, the Ticats superior to the Gray Cup with their street earn over Toronto.

The Ticats open up the ‘22 period going to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday night time. They’ll make their property debut June 18 internet hosting the Calgary Stampeders.

Head coach Orlondo Steinauer commences his third period at the helm but first with the extra purpose of president of soccer functions. The CFL’s 2019 coach of the calendar year, who has amassed a stellar 23-9 frequent-season record, is uncertain exactly how this group will vary from last year’s squad.

“I do not know nevertheless, I honestly never,” he claimed. “That will unveil alone.

“We’re however hoping to come to a decision who we are and just what we’re likely to carry to the desk. I assume each and every yr you are seeking to determine out exactly what you do as a football staff. In some cases players emerge, from time to time injuries have a hand in that but the critical is you want to test to get far more than you reduce along the way.”

JUST THE Facts

PRESIDENT OF Football Operations: Orlondo Steinauer (initially time)

HEAD Coach: Steinauer (3rd period)

2021: Concluded second in East Division (8-6-). Conquer Montreal 23-12 in division semifinal, defeated Toronto 27-19 in conference remaining, missing 33-25 in additional time to Winnipeg in Gray Cup.

ADDITIONS: QB Matthew Shiltz (Montreal), WR Lemar Durant (B.C.), DL Micah Johnson (Saskatchewan), CB Richard Leonard (Calgary), OL Kyle Saxelid (Edmonton).

DEPARTURES: WRs Brandon Banking institutions (Toronto) and Jaelon Acklin (Ottawa), QB Jeremiah Masoli (Ottawa), OL Darius Ciraco (Ottawa).

Gamers TO View: QB Dane Evans, WR Bralon Addison, LBs Simoni Lawrence and Jovan Santos-Knox, RB Don Jackson.

This report by The Canadian Push was to start with printed June 10, 2022.

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