It’s the most exciting time of the year. The sun is shining, the smell of rubber pellets clings to the air and hope springs eternal, Hamilton Tiger Cats 2019 training camp is here. Things got underway this morning at McMaster University and Ron Joyce Stadium. You can see the complete 2019 Nissan Training Camp schedule here.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats finished last season 8-10 and won a playoff game before bowing out to the Ottawa Redblacks in the East Final. This year they’re looking to bring the Hammer the 16th Grey Cup in franchise history.
There are plenty of players at McMaster this year trying to crack the squad. Many of last year’s key starters will be returning and they are joined by some notable free agent signings.
Key Returnees
Last year’s starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is back for another season in the hammer. Masoli is coming off his best season to date. Throwing for 5209 yards and 28 touchdowns, the Ticats QB led the east division in both categories.
Masoli will have his two favourite weapons from 2018, Brandon Banks and Luke Tasker, returning for 2019. Banks is entering his seventh season in the CFL, spending all of them in the hammer. He too is coming off his best season to date, racking up 1423 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Speedy B also led the CFL in yards per game in 2018 with a monstrous 101.6.
As for Tasker, he has been a consistent performer for the Ticats since he got here. In 2018, Tasker broke the 1000 yard mark for the third time in his career, catching 78 passes for 1104 yards. He has broken the 900 yard mark in four of his five seasons in the CFL making him one of the most reliable options in the league.
On the defensive side of the ball, Delvin Breaux Sr. is back for his fourth season with the Ticats. Breaux has long been regarded has one of the CFL’s premiere corners. Playing in all 14 games last year, his season was perhaps highlighted by his fumble recovery touchdown on Sept. 15, against the Calgary Stampeders. Look for Breaux to terrorize opposing receivers again, all season long.
Key Additions
The Ticats free agent class was headlined by former Calgary pass rusher Ja’Gared Davis. Spending the past three seasons in Calgary, Davis collected 23 sacks over his three seasons out west. He also was a member of last year’s grey cup winning team. He’ll look to bring his pass rushing prowess and his championship pedigree to the Ticats roster in 2019.
With Larry Dean departing in the offseason, the Ticats are expected to turn to Justin Tuggle to help fill the void in the linebacker room. Tuggle spent the past two seasons in Toronto and before that spent time with the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns of the NFL. Playing in 17 games with the Argos last year, Tuggle had 63 tackles and force 2 fumbles. He is projected to slot in at middle linebacker for the Ticats in 2019.
Another former Argo heading down the QEW to Hamilton is defensive tackle Dylan Wynn. He spent his only two seasons in the CFL with the Argos in 2017 and 2018, playing 26 games, recording 64 tackles and eight sacks over those two seasons. Among the internationals in camp, Wynn likely has a leg up to start alongside Ted Laurent due to his CFL experience.
The Ticats made one more key addition on the eve of training camp, bringing in veteran Canadian offensive lineman Chris Van Zeyl, to bolster their offensive line. In addition to adding to their offensive line depth, Van Zeyl is a national player giving the Ticats even more flexibility in other areas of the roster. The 35 year old Van Zeyl spent the last 10 seasons in Toronto, playing in 156 games over that period. Van Zeyl is a five time CFL East All-Star (most recently in 2018) and a two time CFL All-Star (2013 and 2017).
Preseason
Hamilton plays the first of their two preseason games on Saturday June 1 when they travel to the nation’s capital to battle the Redblacks. They’ll host the rival Argos five days later on June 6 at Tim Hortons Field in the preseason finale.
Season Opener
Finally, what everyone has been working towards. The Ticats open the CFL season on Thursday, June 18 at Tim Hortons Field, hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the season opener, and every other Ticats home game here.
