There’s sure to be a few fresh faces along the Tiger-Cats defensive line in 2016. The offseason saw some regular starters from 2015 head off to opposing teams, while also bringing in a few common foes to the Black and Gold.
Tiger-Cats fans will see their Most Valuable Canadian nominee and CFL All-Star from the last two seasons back manning his spot at nose tackle on the defensive line. Ted Laurent will look to build on last year’s stellar performance where he fought through the trenches to post three sacks and 26 tackles in 17 starts.
The addition of defensive end John Chick will bolster the Tiger-Cats pass rush on a defence that, despite having a strong showing in most other statistical categories, ranked near the bottom of the league in quarterback sacks. Chick, along with Laurent, was one of the largest free agent signings in the CFL this offseason. Last year with the Roughriders, he racked up eleven sacks and 42 tackles. The experience Chick brings is a huge addition on a rather young defensive line.
Adrian Tracy started at defensive end in all six games that he played in last season and figures to slot in as the early favourite to start opposite Chick. Despite only playing a third of the season, Tracy still managed to post 15 tackles, two pass knockdowns and a fumble recovery. Training camp with give Tracy the opportunity to show Kent Austin and his crew that he can be a dominant player in the CFL and a potential season-long starter.
At the other defensive tackle position, the Tiger-Cats have some options. If they start an import, as the team did last season, Drake Nevis is a returning player with huge potential that spent 2015 on Hamilton’s practice roster. Recently signed Zach Anderson spent the previous three seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and set a career high in tackles in 2015 with 32. CFL rookie, Terry Redden, showed off his athleticism in a 2015 NFL preseason game, coming up with a one-handed interception and juking his way to a 13-yard return. Nevis, Anderson and Redden could all factor into Hamilton’s plans this season.
If the Tiger-Cats decide to start another Canadian at defensive tackle, former first overall pick Linden Gaydosh will be back from injury after sitting out the entire 2015 season with a torn Achilles tendon and has the talent to fill that role. Michael Atkinson had four tackles in the right games he dressed in during the 2015 season. The former Boise State Bronco was a third round selection by Hamilton back in 2012 and will aim to use his familiarity with the defensive scheme to his benefit to earn a starting role. The dark horse in the race is Evan Gill who missed the entire 2015 season due to injury.
Delano Johnson enters into his third season in the CFL, previously spending time up the QEW with the Argonauts. With the Argos, Johnson totaled 14 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. Hamilton also signed defensive lineman Kevin Dixon last week. Dixon played for the Stampeders in 2011 before spending some time with Seattle in the NFL. Johnson and Dixon are likely to compete for a spot behind Chick and Tracy at defensive end.
Returning national defensive end Everett Ellefsen, who suited up in three games for the Ticats in 2015, and newly signed Ricky Osei-Kusi from the Western Mustangs, add some Canadian depth to the unit. Ellefsen was a sixth round draft selection in 2015 out of McNeese State, and had 111 total tackles, 21 tackles for losses and 10 sacks in 34 games played for the Cowboys. During his five years at Western, Osei-Kusi totaled 102 tackles, 20 sacks and 33.5 tackles for losses in 35 games played for the Mustangs. He was also a member of the team that won the program its 30th Yates Cup.
With the offseason movement surrounding the defensive line, the position will be one to watch come training camp. There’s still a lot to prove throughout the position group in order to earn an opportunity to battle in the trenches.
