Many will view the signing of John Chick to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as an addition of another key player for their 2016 season, but this signing is so much more. Chick is a veteran in the CFL and will add tremendous skill to the Ticats defensive line. This is a guy coming to a great franchise with enormous potential to win the Grey Cup in 2016. Hamilton has made its presence in the CFL this offseason and this signing should attract more players to stay in the Hammer for what looks like a great shot at the title.
The Impact of John Chick Signing with Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The defensive end Chick, out of Wyoming in the NCAA and has won two Grey Cups since joining the league. He has had NFL stints with the Colts and Jaguars. Chick was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player and since returning from the NFL he recorded 81 tackles and racked up 23 sacks, in two season. In the 2014 CFL season he led the league with 15 sacks.
With defensive linemen free agents such as Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, Ted Laurent, Justin Hickman, Brian Bulcke and Brian Hall still not signed by Hamilton, this is huge. The signing of Chick means that he wants to be on a championship calibre team and believes that Hamilton will give him his best shot. He will also be reunited with his former coach Kent Austin, who recently had his contract extended with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. As most people seen last season, coach Austin has an incredible program in Hamilton and the players believe in it. Austin won the Eastern Division Semi final with a fourth string Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.
By signing Chick, it gives the Tiger Cats some depth when it comes to their defence this year. We have to keep in mind that Eric Norwood will most likely not be ready for the start of his season after his ACL injury. They still have veterans on defence like Simoni Lawrence, Johnny Sears Jr., Craig Butler and Rico Murray. The offence for Hamilton should be incredible with players like, Zach Collaros, C.J. Gable, Luke Tasker, Terrance Toliver, Peter Dyakowski, Mike Filer, Ryan Bomben, Tiquan Underwood and Brandon Banks.
Hopefully, with Chick signing in Hamilton it will attract other player to stay. Andy Fantuz could be staying for less money because he loves the game of football; he has come close to winning the Grey Cup twice with Hamilton and is from Southern Ontario. They have key players seeking Grey Cup championship like Bakari Grant, Justin Medlock and Hickman.
With the Hamilton Tiger-Cats signing Chick they are going to make a great run at the 2016 Grey Cup and attract great talent because Hamilton will be the place to be. Even with none of these players signed Hamilton still has a killer team. If the Ticats sign Grant, Hickman, Hall, Davis, Medlock, Fantuz and Laurent they have an increased shot at the championship.
Bringing the city of Hamilton its first Grey Cup since 1999 and having the city of Hamilton all yelling “Oskee Wee Wee, Oskee Waa Waa, Holy Mackinaw, Tigers … Eat ’em Raw”. One can just imagine…
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