05-21-2019, 12:29 AM
Final score of last years Grey Cup: Saskatchewan 45, Hamilton 23. What a disaster right? No, far from it. I thought last year for the Tiger-Cats was an immense success, not the ultimate success, but immense in my evaluation. Ending the season at 10-8 was the first time the Ticats had a 10 win season since 2001. Getting 10 wins has a psychological comfort about it in that it means you are not great but by no means are you a disaster. And then you consider in support of those 10 wins the team made it to the Grey Cup, first time since 1999, the 45-23 loss has to be put into rational perspective against the season. The Ticats had a good season last year, a type that leads to the inevitable feeling of impending improvement. Consider playing the season basically on the road at University of Guelph. To be clear, that city receives my praise for embracing the Ticats with both arms and not letting go. All adversity considered, we all thank them for what they did both on and off the field. Sure, I am positive the revenue they received enhances the quality of what it was invested in, but my attitude is "thank you for being there." If not for you, not sure what the league could do. But, this year could be different with the building of Tim Hortons Field. I live about 15 minutes away and have keep my eye on its progress month after month. It is coming, may not yet be 100 per cent ready, but its mold gives me a feeling that this could be unique. A home field advantage could finally be a tangible aspect of winning football. What needs to improve? Well, like all teams there is always room. First and most importantly, continuity of personnel. Hamilton went through 57 different starters over the course of the year; some due to injury but also some due to simple evaluation of whether this player can play productively and consistently. Given those two factors, this year cant be another 57 player year; way too many. Also a 1-4 start is hard to overcome. I always hear about how the real CFL season doesnt start until September and it is a false observational claim. Toronto finished 11-7, Hamilton 10-8; if their 1-4 start was 3-2 or 4-1, the Ticats could have been a first place team in the East. Improvement points are everywhere though when you look at the overall statistical package. Finishing eighth in protecting the quarterback and eighth in getting to the quarterback has to improve and will. Improving on their only 14 interceptions is also a priority when you compare that to Montreals 27. Red zone offense was just sixth best, as was red zone defence. Point being Hamiltons 10 wins were done the hard way, not the dominate way. Major point of optimism? Ticats finished second best in total yards, averaging 373 a game. Which brings us to the most important names in priority of performance: Zach Collaros, Dan LeFevour or maybe even Jeremiah Masoli. That battle through training camp will be entertaining and interesting. Entertaining in that all three are good athletes that can adapt exceptionally well when the situation regresses. Interesting in that Kent Austin will give the job to the guy who is the smartest under stress; a quality not always recognizable from the outside looking in. When you play a position in football you truly know the position because you have played it under pressure. I know the left tackle position. I can recognize a good one, an average one, and everything in between very quickly. The exact same can be said for Austin as a quarterback. Whichever player can take the pressure Austin puts on him - and he will - and respond, will be the starter. When you have played the position you know the position and the Hamilton Tiger cats are fortunate their head coach is a former successful CFL quarterback. Now as much as quarterback is the man in football, Hamiltons second best move this off-season was getting Justin Medlock back as kicker, punter and kickoff specialist. He was an 89 per cent kicker and 41 yards-per-punt punter. So many CFL games come down to a kick or a moment the kicker can control. Getting Medlock back is a big deal in the world of off-season football moves. Interesting time if youre a Hamilton Tiger-Cats fan. A 20-year agreement with a new stadium, a team that knows how to win through experience and yet still has a lot to improve upon. It will be entertaining and interesting to see how the new season unfolds. Entertaining as a new era of football begins in the exact physical area of history and respect. And interesting in that given the avoidance of injury disaster, this is a team that should progress on many fronts. I will miss Ivor Wynne, it was a big part of my childhood. But I will embrace Tim Hortons Field as it becomes part of my adulthood. Everything changes, but this may be easier to adapt and enjoy than anticipated. Greg Holland Jersey . 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In taking questions for the first time since Ted Wells released his report into the bullying scandal that rocked the league, Philbin made it clear things would be cleaned up.VANCOUVER -- Perspective is always important. Maybe thats why midfielder Russell Teibert managed to sound enthusiastic about a schedule that sees the Vancouver Whitecaps play their third Major League Soccer game in eight days. Watch the Whitecaps vs. Real Salt Lake live Saturday on TSN at 10pm et/7pm pt. The Whitecaps match against Real Salt Lake Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium comes on the heels of a 1-1 draw Wednesday in Toronto against Toronto FC and a 3-1 loss to Chivas USA Saturday at home in BC Place Stadium. The Whitecaps will have travelled over 7,300 kilometres by the time they return to Vancouver. The stretch can be physically exhausting but Teiberts rational is more games in a short time period means increased playing minutes for everyone on the team. "I think its the most exciting stretch to be going through, especially with the squad we have this year," said the 21-year-old from Niagara Falls, Ont., who played 82 minutes against Toronto after not getting on the field against Chivas. "You never know when you are going to have the chance to be on the field. Now that we have more games theres a better chance you have in playing. Its exciting and it keeps all the guys on their toes." A win would help Vancouver gain ground in MLSs competitive Western Conference. Heading into the weekend the Whitecaps are sixth in the West with 26 points from a 6-4-8 record. That leaves them just two points back of Salt Lake, which has a 7-4-7 record. "Each point, each win is vital," said Teibert. "Hopefully we get a good result and can jump back up there." Perspective can also be applied in analyzing the Whitecaps recent fortunes. For three months Vancouver rode a franchise-record eight game unbeaten streak (3-0-5). During that stretch the team scored 18 goals but allowed 14. Over their last four games the Whitecaps are 1-2-1. The team has managed just three goals and allowed six. "You are always going to have ups and downs in a season, thats professional sport," said Teibert. "Its how you handle those up and downs. "We have got a couple of draws and we did lose an unfortunate game last weekend. Its all about moving forward." Defender Steven Beitashour cant explain why the ball suddenly isnt going into the net for the Whitecaps. "I dont know what the reason is for that," said Beitashour, a member of Irans team at the recent World Cup in Brazil. "Any time we play we try to put up as many goals as possible and give up zero goals.dddddddddddd" Teams often improve defensively as the season progresses, said Beitashour, who is playing in his fifth MLS season. The Whitecaps are also still adapting to new coach Carl Robinson. "The coaching staff has more time with the team," he said. "Guys are getting used to each others tendencies and things like that. "With Carl being new here we are all trying to understand exactly what he wants defensively and we are starting to jell together." Real Salt Lake has struggled of late and is winless in their last five games (0-3-2). One problem is goal scoring. In the first five games of the season Salt Lake scored 23 goals. In their next seven the team managed just four, with two of those coming on penalty kicks in one match. In the first 11 games Salt Lake was shutout once. In the last seven games they have been shut out four times. Defender Tony Beltran said no one is panicking. "I feel like we talk about that every year at a certain point," he told the Real Salt Lake website. "We trust our forwards. We trust our midfielders. "We know theyre capable of finishing chances when they get them. For whatever reasons theyre not going in right now." Coach Jeff Cassar wants more production from his forwards, but said scoring is a team effort. "Scoring chances dont just come from the forwards," he said. "It comes from the build up. Getting numbers forward. "We need that final pass to not be close, but to be perfect, so that they (forwards) are then able to do their thing." The last time the two teams met Real Salt Lake took an early 2-0 lead only to see the Whitecaps battle back for a 2-2 draw. Teibert said the Whitecaps will be playing with fire if they let Salt Lake take an early lead in the rematch. "They are a very possession-based side," he said. "They play their style of game very well. "They know what they are good at. They can pass through teams. Its important for us to really key in on that. It will be a great match." The Whitecaps recent struggles havent dented the teams confidence. "Were not trying to change for anybody," said Teibert. "We are always going to stick to our game plan. 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