Bert Faibish
CFL.ca
Ah, February.
Winter has lost its charm, summer is but a distant memory, and even though a certain prognosticating rodent says relief is on the way we all know this is Canada and six more weeks of suffering are probably still ahead.
However for CFL fans, the month of February also represents the first relevant step in the build-up to the 2011 season.
Free agency is about to begin and fans all across the country will be wearing out the refresh button on their computer, desperate for even a hint of where that high-profile free agent might sign. Or even more importantly, whether or not they can expect to see some of their own favourite players back in familiar colours come Canada Day weekend.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be looking to improve on both sides of the ball by signing free-agents, but will need to address some possible holes left by the departure of their own players about to hit the open market.
Ticats hitting the open market:
Chris Bauman – WR
| Chris Bauman |
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Bauman came on strong at the end of 2010 catching eight passes for 211 yards with two touchdowns over the final three weeks of the season. He will be an attractive target for many teams in the 2011 free agent pool. |
The team has confirmed that Bauman has been released, prior to the February 16 date that would have made him a free agent. This is the player that many people expected to see test the open market, after finishing the 2010 season on a strong note. The former first overall pick is an attractive commodity to any team, given his non-import status at a key position and potential upside. The Argos, who are in need of Canadian talent at the receiver position, would seem a natural landing spot. The retirement of Ben Cahoon also makes Montreal a logical suitor for the services of Mr. Bauman. Winnipeg and a few of the teams out West have also expressed interest in acquiring his services. I hear that Hamilton is also still interested in retaining Bauman and should not be considered out of the running.
Alexandre Gauthier – OL
Another player due to become a free agent, Gauthier has also been released by the team. This move indicates that the club wants to go in a different direction and may be planning to employ two Import offensive tackles on the O-line in 2011.
This move comes as a surprise, as Gauthier is coming off a stellar season in which he protected Kevin Glenn’s blindside and finished the season as a member of the league’s top-rated offensive line. Gauthier will be in high demand come February 16 and one would imagine he will have his pick of destinations. One of the “good guys” in the league, Gauthier will be missed by the team and the community in Hamilton.
Geoff Tisdale – DB
Coming off his best year as a pro, Tisdale has developed into an impact defensive back in the CFL. His 58 tackles and four interceptions were impressive enough, but his ability to play either corner or half back makes him a valuable asset. His high-risk style gave fans fits at times, but at 24, Tisdale is one of the young, up-and-coming DBs in the league. The rise of Ryan Hinds and return of Bo Smith give the Ticats options if they are unable to re-sign Tisdale or if the team decides to go in another direction. If Tisdale joins Bauman and Gauthier on the open market, this will be a very different version of the Black and Gold in 2011.
Also potentially becoming free agents on the 16 will be; George Hudson, Adam Nicolson, Brian Ramsey, Jermaine Reid and Steve Schmidt.
As fans, losing players to free agency always hurts, but unfortunately sometimes we must be reminded that this is a business and teams and players are often forced to make business decisions. February 16 will also represent an opportunity for the Ticats to improve and there are a number of players out there that could help bring a Grey Cup to the ‘Hammer in ’11.
Potential targets:
Kevin Huntley – DT
While the defensive line was one of the strongest units last year, the chance to add a player like Huntley would be too good to pass up. After dominating opponents in 2010, the mountainous defensive tackle may be the biggest name that is set to become a free agent in two weeks.
Even though the Ticats had no trouble getting to the quarterback last season, you can never be too good at rushing the passer and Huntley can shut down a run-game as easily as he can get to the quarterback.
His high profile may also come with a very high price tag, making him a long shot to join an already expensive defensive line, but you never know. Nobody likes to make a big acquisition like Hamilton’s General Manager Bob O’Billovich.
Dwight Anderson – DB
It turns out the CFL’s top trash-talker can also back it up on the field. Coming off a career-high five-interception season, Anderson is going to be a popular fellow if he makes it to free agency. The secondary is the main area the Ticats are targeting to improve this off-season and the potential departure of Tisdale makes Anderson a logical choice to join the Black and Gold. The former Ticat plays a physical brand of football that could help shore up the team’s secondary.
Lin-J Shell – DB
Another potential target, Shell provides an excellent option at the half back position. If Bo Smith and Ryan Hinds man the corner positions this year, then Shell could really push Jason Shivers and Jykine Bradley for a starting spot at half. Shell is a physical back coming off a solid season which saw him make 63 tackles and record four interceptions, so if Hamilton wants to upgrade their secondary, Shell might be a good fit.
Ben Archibald – OL
The quiet offensive lineman may be the most attractive of all the potential free agents available. Archibald has established himself as one of the best in the league at left tackle and would fill a major void left by the departure of Gauthier. It’s hard to imagine Calgary allowing Archibald to hit the open market, but with only about two weeks until free agency begins, it is beginning to look more and more possible.
Archibald has been a cornerstone on Calgary’s offensive line in the past few years and will be a much sought after commodity once free agency begins. This makes the most sense for the Ticats, and would give them two monsters at the tackle position if he decided to join right tackle Jason Jimenez in Hamilton.
Other possible free agents that would fit the Ticats needs: Tearrius George (CGY); Adriano Belli (TOR).
