The 2014 season was full of promise for Hamilton football, a new chapter symbolized by a stud new quarterback and a state-of-the-art new stadium.
So far, though, Zach Collaros has played all of one complete game and an unsuccessful one at that. And by the sounds of it, the construction workers will be pounding the final nails into Tim Hortons field just as kickoff is about to commence on Labour Day. The excitement of last year’s Grey Cup run has been replaced by anxiety and uncertainty about how this season will play out.
Other then that, of course, things are are just perfect in Steeltown.
The Tiger-Cats have a record of 1-5 to start the season. Each loss has come with its own unique heartbreak, from the opening loss in the wind and rain in Saskatchewan, to the last-second loss at home against the Bombers. It has definitely been a season of high tension for players and fans.
Since the loss to Saskatchewan, the Ticats have lost four games by an average of just four points per game. So that leads to the question, is it better to lose those down to the wire games in the last second? Or would you rather lose big and avoid the near-heart attack at the end of each game?
Tough Starting Schedule
Five out of their six games so far have been against the powers from the west, by far the toughest early season schedule for any team in the league. Of course, they would rather have pulled off a few more wins in these games, but at the same time these games can be learning experiences for future games.
This is where the leadership of Head Coach Kent Austin will come into play. With a roster full of young players, especially at key positions, will the players get discouraged and feel sorry for themselves? Or will they look at the positives and use the losses as motivation? Player morale is everything, so it will be interesting to see which way it goes over the next few weeks.
The Bright Spot: LeFevour
While positive story lines are about as rare as a humble Riders fan, you don’t need to dig too deep to find the main one. QB Dan LeFevour has used this opportunity to showcase his skills. While it hasn’t yet translated to wins, the former Central Michigan star has been impressive with his command of the offense.
Far from a traditional drop back passer like Ricky Ray or Drew Willy, LeFevour is just as dangerous with his legs as he is with his arm, averaging 6.5 yards per carry and leading all quarterbacks with 272 yards rushing.
The timeline for Zach Collaros’ injury is uncertain. Latest reports have him throwing passes casually before practice, but is not participating in full practice. So it’s fair to say the Ticats are under the leadership of LeFevour for the foreseeable future.
The first six games have definitely been tough on Ticats fans and their heart rate. With two thirds of the season yet to play, things better settle down in Hamilton; otherwise there may be a new demand for cardiologists in the greater Hamilton area.
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