Shakespeare Continues to Write Hamilton Ti-Cats’ Off-season

The Hamilton Tiger Cats continue their 2012 off-season makeover in preparation for the upcoming campaign.  Last week they announced releasing veteran defensive end Stevie (Shakespeare) Baggs and the signing of defensive ends Angelo Craig, Darius Powell and Marc Schiechi.  Earlier in the week, they signed veteran kicker Luca Congi to replace Justin Medlock, who signed with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.  Congi spent the past five seasons with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders, winning the Grey Cup in 2007.  He’s hoping to recover from a knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2011 campaign.

Many were surprised to see Baggs released.  I for one was not.  I noticed this past season he had lost a step, compared to 2010.  Quarterbacks were escaping his pursuit and on many occasions his former team-mate Justin Hickman, now with the Indianapolis Colts, bailed him out.  Perhaps age is starting to catch-up with Baggs and his breakout is not as fast as it once was.  Having said that, I thank him for his service to both the team and community.  Baggs was always good with the media and becoming involved in community events.  I wish him well and am confident he will land elsewhere in this great football league.  Hopefully it just won’t be with the Argos!

Ticat General Manager Bob O’Billovich noticed this and has brought in younger and talented prospects to try to fill these vacant positions.   Since arriving in Steeltown in 2008 as GM, I feel O’Billovich has been very successful in constantly upgrading the Ticats player personnel with a good mix of younger players and quality vets.

I’m optimistic Congi has fully recovered from his injury and will provide an accurate and reliable kicking foot in key game situations.  Being a Canadian will allow the Cats to use one of the 20 reserved import spots at another position.  Perhaps Hamilton will look either in free agency or the college draft for a punter and/or place kicker because Congi’s average punt only travels 35 yards.

As the Cats continue to gear up for the upcoming season and the Toronto Maple Leafs continue their free fall from the NHL’s playoffs, my excitement for the 2012 CFL campaign continues to build.  With all the changes the Cats have made recently, I believe they will have a really competitive team this year.  I’m really looking forward to the Cats 2012 CFL Season Opener on Friday, June 29th against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Ivor Wynne Stadium, the last in the iconic football venue.

What do you think?

…and that is the last word.

3 Comments

1. 

   Jacob

   March 29, 2012 at 10:38 pm

   I completely disagree. The moves O’Billovich has made since the middle of last season have been, to put it bluntly, moronic. I look at how the team is today and fear that it is going to be an extremely disappointing one for Hamilton. Obie has made too many changes in one year for the team to be successful. Cutting Baggs and Cobourne, trading Glenn and Bruce, and firing Bellefeuille will all prove to be bad decisions. The Cats will be lucky to win 6 games this upcoming season.

   Reply
2. 

   Anonymous

   March 30, 2012 at 2:24 pm

   Could this upcoming season by more disappointing then the last 8? I don’t think so. Bellefeuille could not cut it as head coach. From what I heard, the players didn’t care for him, and that was evident in the 2011 Eastern Final. The team came out flat. Plus he made too many poor coaching decisions that cost the team games. He couldn’t take this team to the next level. Cortez has extensive CFL and NFL experience. He was a great offensive co-ordinator that provided an excellent game plan for quarterback Henry Burris to follow and lead Calgary to br 2008 Grey Cup Champs.

   Glenn had many opportunities to excel and couldn’t get the job done, when push had come to shove. I really like Glenn and I hope he does well in Calgary. But at some point, the QB and other changes had to be made in-order to try and improve the team.

   Reply

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