Aug 27, 2015; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Montreal Alouettes defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 26-23 at Tim Hortons Field. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski
Coach Austin and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced two significant roster moves on Tuesday, reaching an extension with veteran centre Mike Filer and signing defensive back Jalil Carter to a contract.
Filer re-signs for three years
The Ticats announced a contract extension today with veteran centre Mike Filer. Both sides were extremely happy about the three-year deal, which will keep the Canadian offensive lineman in Hamilton through the 2018 season.
“This is where I want to be, this is home for me,” Filer explained following Tuesday’s practice. “I love the community, I love the organization and I want to be a part of it for as long as I can.”
Coach Austin expressed the team’s excitement with the deal as well, praising Filer for the steps he’s taken in his game since he arrived in the Black and Gold.
“We’re real happy too. Mike’s done an unbelievable job in really turning himself into a quality football player,” said Austin. “He works hard, he’s endearing to his teammates, he really embodies what we’re about here.”
Filer’s sturdy, consistent play as a Canadian starter on the offensive line– especially at the centre position– is a hot commodity in the CFL. Signing the veteran gives the Ticats a rock-solid presence on the field and a leader in the locker room.
Filer, who grew up in nearby Brantford, Ontario spoke highly of both his teammates and coaches as factors in the decision, but also about the Hamilton community.
“I love this community, I’ve been able to be involved with this community for the last four years, and I want to continue to do that,” said Filer.
Since Filer graduated from Mount Allison and made the jump to the CFL, he’s seen the Ticats go from being a 6-12 team to a true perennial Grey Cup contender, and he touched on that progression as another key factor in the deal.
“You see the growth of the team from 2012 to where we are now,” he started, “on my part it was an easy decision.”
Carter signs with Black and Gold
Jalil Carter, who spent the last nine months with the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL, enters into his second CFL stint with the new deal. An Akron alumni, the 27-year old is a big defensive back who can play a number of positions in the defensive backfield.
In high school, Carter played cornerback and receiver, fielding offers from a number of NCAA colleges including Bowling Green, Kent State and his eventual choice, Akron.
With the Zips, Carter played both free safety and strong safety, rounding out his resume in the secondary. Carter’s previous tenure in the CFL was spent with the Toronto Argonauts, where he recorded 114 defensive tackles, six sacks and one interception from 2012-14.
After a full off-season and training camp in the NFL, the Toledo, Ohio native is well-versed in the business side of football.
“I learned a lot, saw a lot, and I really understand how the NFL works, how much of a business it really is,” explained Carter. “I learned a lot and got to go against some marquee players.”
As for his football future, Carter isn’t thinking about getting back to the NFL, his focus is on the here and now with the Ticats.
“I’m thinking about being in Hamilton right now and winning a Grey Cup,” he said. “I’m really excited for the opportunity, I’m not looking past that.”
Defensive coordinator Orlondo Steinauer and his previous experience with Carter in Toronto was a large factor in the defensive back’s decision to come to Hamilton. The 2012 season that both spent with the Argos was an eye-opening one for Carter, who says that Steinauer changed the way he plays the game.
“I didn’t even know the other side of football,” started Carter, “I was just out there chasing guys and tackling guys, he showed me the actual game of football.”
The turnaround between his first practice and the Ticats’ home game against the Stampeders is a short one, meaning it’s highly unlikely Carter will be in the lineup on Friday. That being said, Coach Kent Austin will not rule out the possibility, stating that it is dependent on the defensive back’s learning curve.
Carter’s knowledge of Coach Steinauer’s defence aids in his ability to acclimate himself to the Ticats’ scheme, as does his status as a veteran in the league. Austin alluded to the veteran’s ability to move around the defence, but confirmed that the team does have a position in mind for him and that Carter was an instant fit in the team’s plans.
“He’s big, strong and fast, he understands what Orlondo does and what we do defensively,” said Coach Austin. “He’s a good football player and he makes us better.”
