May 17, 2018

Ferguson: 21 burning questions heading into Ticats’ training camp

Ticats.ca

I can’t believe it’s time to write this article again but here we are! It’s almost time for training camp to kickoff and every team has more question marks than answers. The Ticats are no different which makes for an extremely interesting training camp and pre-season leading into 2018 kickoff.

Here are 21 questions I have about the Ticats going into the start of camp Sunday:

21. Can the upward trend continue?

Despite missing the playoffs, by the end of last season there was a general consensus throughout the Ticats locker room that they had built something special after an 0-8 start. When June Jones arrived the vibe of the Black and Gold completely changed and on-field production quickly followed.

Since that point the Ticats have gone through free agency, the draft process and mini-camp. At each turn all the talk has been about carrying over the success of 2017 into 2018. Talk is cheap, and the Ticats will undoubtedly have bumps along the road but they seem to believe the end of 2017 was not an anomaly, but a preview to further success.

20. What will Glanville’s defence look like?

Since being a guest coach in Hamilton last training camp Jerry Glanville has spoken openly about his approach to 12-man football. He discusses the motion, the style of play, run-pass offensive tendencies, blitzing success rates and more with the knowledge and bravado of a long-time CFL coach despite being new to the game.

Perhaps the most interesting story of the Ticats pre-season will be what Glanville’s approach actually looks like when the rubber hits the road this June.

What will Jerry Glanville’s defence look like in Hamilton? (Ticats.ca)

19. Who will replace Bomben at right guard?

For many Ticats fans the shock of the off-season came a day before the draft when CFL All-Star Ryan Bomben was traded to Montreal, leaving a void at the starting right guard position.

While some – present company included – thought the Ticats would draft an offensive lineman with the first overall pick to quickly fill that spot with a younger, more athletic blocker, the team went receiver and decided to find Bomben’s replacement elsewhere.

That ‘elsewhere’ SHOULD be Landon Rice, who played a multitude of snaps in the Ticats’ six lineman tight end set last year, but Head Coach June Jones has said it will be an open competition where the best player gets the job. I still believe that will be Rice. He earned the chance.

18. How quickly does Chapman make an impact?

Expectations need to be measured for most if not all young drafted players in the CFL. However there are a couple players a year who jump out and make an impact sooner than expected and Chapman could be that name.

In a receiving corps in need of more young national talent, GM Eric Tillman and staff were wise to add a player as dynamic as Chapman, who could slot into the lineup quickly thanks to his natural playmaking ability and schematic fit with June Jones’ quick passing attack.

17. How will June Jones approach training camp?

This is June Jones’ first training camp as a CFL coach. It is a completely different task from the NFL or college, where players spend close to a month sorting themselves out into roles and game shape. The first pre-season game comes extremely quick and Jones is known as a player’s coach, which makes me think there will be minimal intensive periods after the first couple of days. With that being said, Jones still does have to get the team ready to compete from the very first snap of the regular season, so his adaptation to the CFL’s early summer timeline will be unique.

16. What effect will offensive line continuity have?

Despite losing Bomben via trade to Montreal, Hamilton does have Mike Filer, Brandon Revenberg and – likely – Landon Rice as their interior three offensive lineman. That continuity is rare in Hamilton over the last couple years but what is even more unusual to Hamilton fans is having the same two offensive tackles back. Ryker Mathews was a godsend last summer at the right tackle spot an Tony Washington helped anchor the line in a moment of need.

Having all five positions be players familiar with the scheme and each other could be a game changer for early season success.

15. Who is the long snapper?

Kevin Malcolm of McMaster University was brought in to replace Aaron Crawford when he tore his knee last year and Mathieu Girard just came out of retirement, bringing with him long snapping experience. My best guess is Malcolm snaps to start and depending on roster squeezing through the year Girard picks up a dress spot as a sixth offensive lineman and long snapper.

14. Is Jalen Saunders a star?

Last year Jalen Saunders arrived in Hamilton ready to contribute. Nobody knew how key a role he would play in the offence’s second half resurgence. In his second CFL season Saunders could become a breakout star, especially in the ways June Jones will get him the ball.

13. Who leads the return game?

Willie Quinn is in the fold, Jalen Saunders has return game experience, Brandon Banks is ready in a moment’s notice and a plethora of other names are capable of handling the return game. My question is who becomes the dominant returner Hamilton fans have come to know and love in the team’s up years?

12. What effect will Orlondo Steinauer have?

Former defensive coordinator Orlando Steinauer has returned after a one-year hiatus to Fresno State of the NCAA, where he rectified the Bulldogs’ defence. During mini-camp he was coaching on the offensive end of the field but Steinauer has been given a very unique role in Hamilton this year. Essentially: Make us better.

Steinauer is an exceptional coach with the ability to connect with players from every positional group. His effect might be hard to identify as he will influence many parts of the roster but there is no doubt in my mind he will make the Ticats better.

11. Can they shock the CFL?

Some people within the Ticats organization genuinely believe they can go to Calgary and Edmonton in Weeks 1 and 2 and return back to Hamilton 2-0. If that happened it would both shock and excite much of the league. Is it an unlikely dream or has the June Jones regime instilled a confidence that will come to life in Alberta this June?

10. Does Vernon Adams Jr. get a package?

Nobody wants to see Jeremiah Masoli have reps disappear but the question is worth asking, especially if the team wants to protect now-starter Jeremiah Masoli from short yardage. Jones has loved Adams Jr. all the way back to their East-West Shrine Bowl interaction and if Masoli needs a blow once in a while Hamilton could try to utilize Adams Jr.’ skill set.

Will Simoni Lawrence‘s production go up this season? (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

9. What does Simoni’s production look like?

Last year Simoni Lawrence’s tackle production took a hit as Larry Dean stepped into the spotlight. It was the lowest total for Simoni in the last five years but he had a career high in sacks. That was under Jeff Reinebold and Philip Lolley. What will his numbers look like with Orlando Steinauer back in the fold and old vet Jerry Glanville calling the shots?

8. Finally found the kicker?

Fresh off a Grey Cup victory, Lirim Hajrullahu is now Hamilton property and ready to stabilize a position constantly in flux since Justin Medlock left in free agency for Winnipeg. Is he the answer?

7. Johnny? Hello?

January, February, March, April, May.. If it’s not in the next month, will it ever happen?

6. Capicciotti ready for bigger role?

Last year Justin Capicciotti made John Chick expendable and became an important part of a beat-up national defensive line rotation. Can he duplicate that success and sustain it for 18-plus games?

5. How productive can Masoli really be?

He was exceptional in the second half of last year. With new terminology and a fun off-season of preparing to be the guy, it seems the sky is the limit for Masoli, but how high is that ceiling and how many wins can he create for the Ticats?

4. Could Alex Green sneakily become on of the CFL’s most productive running backs?

Several times last year on second and long the Ticats picked up first downs by sneaking a handoff to CJ Gable or Alex Green. With CJ gone and a full year of Alex Green possible, he could have one of the true breakout surprise seasons.

3. Where will Terrence Toliver slot back in?

On the first catch of last year Terrence Toliver tore his ACL which shook the offence and the team just moments into the 2017 campaign. On his way to full recovery, Toliver is eager to re-enter the lineup but June Jones prefers smaller, quicker receivers, especially in the boundary where Toliver called home under Kent Austin. So where does he land and how many reps does he get when he is ready?

2. Home field advantage?

Since opening its doors Tim Hortons Field has been a fortress for the Black and Gold, except for the last two seasons. For Hamilton to reclaim the East, Tim Hortons Field needs to be a much more difficult place to play. You know it, I know it, Ticats fans know it.

Will it happen?

1. Can Banks do it again?

Last year Brandon Banks made the move from return man and casual offensive contributor to one of the most dynamic receivers in the CFL. Can he not only do it again but continue to progress with the rest of the offence?

The success of Hamilton’s offence might rely on that answer.