Ticats’ New Receiving Duo Hasn’t Missed A Beat

It’s not every day you to get to go to work with your best friend but for Hamilton Tiger-Cats receivers Kevin Elliott and Brian Tyms, they’re two of the lucky ones who do.
Elliott and Tyms both re-signed with the Ticats this off-season – Elliott joined the Tabbies in 2016 for three regular season games and the Eastern Semi-Final after being released late in the season by the Argos, while Tyms signed with Hamilton after spending his career in the NFL and played in two games with the Tabbies, including the playoff match against Edmonton.
Eight years after their friendship began – they were teammates in college at Florida A&M, where they both suited up for the Rattlers in 2010 and 2011 – the stars aligned and they were once again teammates, donning the same colours and playing for the same goal.
“That’s like one of my best friends,” Tyms gushed about Elliott. “Me and K, we’ve had a great competition together for a long time, pushing each other and pushing each other’s limits too as far as how fast we run at combine. Who will lift more? Whose shuttle time would be quickest? Who’s going to catch the most passes with one hand? That’s my boy.
“That was another reason why I came back (to the Tiger-Cats). Kevin and I have great chemistry together because that’s one of my best friends. I’m excited to be playing with him again. Both of us know each other like the back of our hand as far as where we will be on the field so it makes me feel more comfortable.”
Having that comfort with each other will come in handy when the two hit the field together in June. With Chad Owens headed to Saskatchewan to join the Roughriders and Andy Fantuz’s status still up in the air (he’s a free agent and is still recovering from knee surgery), Tyms and Elliott with likely be two of the go-to receivers – along with Terrence Toliver and Luke Tasker – for Zach Collaros to turn to.
With so many targets for opponents defensive backs to have to cover, there will be more opportunities for the wideouts to make plays and for Elliott, there will be more opportunities to show off his signature celebration – the ball spin.
“It’s definitely pick your poison,” Elliott laughed about the receiving depth in Hamilton. “I’m just looking forward to not having a lot of double teams and (having) a lot of single coverage and that just means more big plays and more ball spins for me too. Hopefully that leads to more wins for our team.”