VIEWS FROM THE PENTHOUSE

Tiger-Cat Year End Report Card

It is the end of another season and I figured it was time to issue my team (The Hamilton Tiger-Cats) their year-end report card.  I am sure this one will not end up on the fridge and they just may want to hide it from their parents.  They will be marked on players, coaching, fans, ownership and off-field operations and game day entertainment.  An overall grade will be given at the end of the report. 

1.  Players                                             Grade – C

It was a tough year for Tigercat players.  Injuries haunted the team throughout the year.  There were very few bright spots on the squad this year.  Rob Hitchcock was one of them.  The defensive captain proved this year that he is the cornerstone of the defense if not the team.  Hitchcock had probably his best season to date and led the league with interceptions.  Future Hall of Famer Darren Flutie ended his career with another stellar season.  Even being plagued with injuries did not stop this CFL veteran from breaking the record for most career receptions.  Troy Davis emerged as one of the top rushers in the league.  Even though he missed several games due to a broken wrist and he plays on a throw first offence he rushed for over 1000 yards this season.  Makes you wonder what would happen if he was utilized a little more.  However, these bright spots were overshadowed by many lows this season.  Danny McManus had probably one of his worst years as a Tabbie.  Too many interceptions, more sacks than usual and hampered by injuries slowed down McManus this year and it became very apparent when McManus doesn’t play well either do the Cats.  Paul Osbaldiston had a sub par year as well but again injuries did not help.  The offensive line was porous, defensive players struggled and let’s not even discuss special teams.  All of this combined with many stupid penalties at bad times gave players wearing black and gold a bad name.

2. Coaching                                          Grade – C

Many fans in Hamilton are calling for coach Lancaster’s head.  Many people say he is too old while others say he has lost heart.  But what do you do when you loose two thirds of your free agents and they are replaced by rookie players.  It was a hard and frustrating season for Ron Lancaster and it showed.  On top of that you have your son running a very ineffective offense.  R.D. Lancaster would have been fired by any other team in the league by now but is lucky his father is his boss.  His play calling is unimaginative, predictive and has gone very stale.  The offensive scheme needs to be re-vamped either by R.D. himself or another man.  Until this happens the Tigercats will be unsuccessful.  The only reason the coaching staff gets a passing grade is because of the recently fired Don Sutherin.  Probably the best defensive coach in football he was able to take a bunch of no-names and form them in a respectable defense.  Changes in coaching or at least coaching plans are needed for next year.

3. Ownership                                        Grade – F

Not going to spend a lot of time on this.  Ownership has to change.  I have been very supportive and vocal about the present ownership in the past but enough is enough.  Time to spend money or get out.  Enough said.

4.  Fans                                  Grade – D

When you only get 17 000 fans out to a game it is hard to give a passing grade.  Even the 10 000 hard-core fans cannot make it a passing mark.  Too many excuses by the so-called fan who are not coming out.  Seems like every year it is something else.  Bottom line is there is no better dollar value in sports or entertainment.  It is time for Hamiltonians to start supporting their hometown sports or loose them all together.  Then we will see how much they like the Leafs and Bills.

5.  Off field Operations and Game Day Entertainment                 Grade – D

Again, will not spend a huge amount of time on this section as well as it has been talked about several times in the past.  Marketing for the football club is pretty much non-existent.  Very seldom do you see advertisement in the city for the Tigercats anywhere and if you go anywhere outside the city limits and you see nothing.  Combine this with the same half time shows we have seen for the last five years and it makes it difficult to bring out new fans.  More attention needs to be focused on this aspect in the off-season and the new year.  Something needs to be done to entice fans back into the stadium and it needs to start now.  Perhaps taking a page out of the Argo book would be a good start and get some decent big name entertainment in to perform.  Then start marketing a little stronger and let people know the Tigercats live in Hamilton.  Get people excited about this team again and watch the ball roll.  A little money and commitment is all that is needed.

6.  Final Grade                                     Grade – D

Yes the Tigercats failed as a club this year.  On the field they were hampered by many injuries to many key players.  It is hard to produce when many of your star players are out of the line-up or playing injured.  This was a fact with the Cats this year.  In fact many of the players were playing even more hurt than the public realized.  For this they should be commended but their heart and desire unfortunately did not produce wins and that is what a team’s final outcome is graded upon.  Off the field the club is a disaster.  The loss of many free agents at the start of the season was just the beginning of a long and horrible season.  This franchise must look at itself and see where they want to be.  It all starts with ownership who must decide whether they want to spend any more money to improve the club.  If not then please leave and let someone else take over.  Know one will blame you.  As a fan I realize the time and effort you have put into this club and thank you for all of the successful and entertaining seasons you have given me.  But if your time and money is up then leave and let someone else do the work.

Not a very successful season last year for a Tigercat.  The off-season is time to re-focus and regroup and the Tigercats need to do just that.  Improve themselves on and off the field and begin fresh in 2003.  This franchise can still be saved but it needs to start now or it may be a long few years for Tigercat fans.  But hey, that is just the view from the penthouse and the view is good from here.

Tydoggz

GREY CUP – NOT JUST ANOTHER FAMILY REUNION

Not too many people like family reunions.  You see a bunch of people once a year that you really do not care about.  You do the same thing and play the same silly games year in and year out.  You take the same pictures with Auntie Em and Uncle Jack and all in all the family reunion just takes a weekend out of your busy schedule.  Some can say Grey Cup weekend is the same thing.  You go to the same parties, see the same people, watch Klondike Kate and Hyperflex complete the same routines, you drink an enormous amount so “Slew Juice” at the Spirit of Edmonton Breakfast, talk football and take pictures with the same people every year.  Yes, one could say Grey Cup is just like the boring family reunion you want to stay clear of year-end and year out.

However, someone who has never attended a Grey Cup would have made a comment like that.  Maybe there are a lot of things that do not change year-end and year out but this is one reunion I do not want to miss.  There was a time when people would only attend the weekend just so they could watch the game.  Now many people arrive by the Wednesday or Thursday and the game is only a bonus afterthought.  Maybe it is the fact that you meet people from all over Canada who you may only see once a year or keep in touch by e-mail but consider them your friends.  Maybe it is because no matter where you go you get to talk about your favorite sport; football and your favorite league the CFL.  Maybe it is because no matter whom you cheer for or where you are from someone is willing to buy you a drink and invite you into his or her group.  Maybe it is because Grey Cup is the only place where Argo fans will drink with Tigercat fans or Rider fans will share a story with Bomber fans or Stampeder fans will share a dance with an Eskimo fan.  Maybe it is because there has never been a fight or even a slight argument at any Grey Cup party (or at least the one’s I have attended in the past six years).  Maybe it is the fact that every team is represented whether they are in the Grey Cup or not.  Maybe it is the fact that every team jersey can be seen worn by someone, every team flag is flown proudly in the air (even the old American teams), and people are wearing funny hats, costumes or painting their bodies in team colors and wearing watermelons on their heads to let you know where they are from.  Maybe it is the fact that you can mingle with future, present, past stars and even Hall of Famers from the CFL.  Maybe it is the fact that the stars of the league are so accessible and are out having a good time just like the fans.  Maybe it is because these players are not only willing to sign an autograph, pose for a picture and discuss football with you but they will also buy you a drink.  Maybe it is the fact that this is something that we can call Canadian.  Something that we can call ours and only ours in a society that is becoming more and more Americanized each and every day.  Or maybe it is jut because of the familiarity of the event.  The fact that you know that Klondike Kate will sing the same songs three or four times a night.  That Hyperflex will dance and everyone will google over them.  That you will see Nico and Marty in orange coveralls, you will see the Redcoats showing Stampeder pride, you will see those crazy Box J Boys in kilts and there will always be someone wearing a watermelon on their head.  Maybe the familiarity is needed especially in this day and age when something simple as boarding an airplane makes you wonder. 

Whatever the reason is you attend Grey Cup the bottom line is this – it is the best damn party of the year and we will see you all in Regina 2003.

Tydoggz