September 10, 2018

Steinberg’s MMQB: No taming the Ticats

Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca

It seems like the Hamilton Tiger-Cats have finally found their groove. For a good chunk of the first half of the season, it seemed like Hamilton’s record didn’t sync up with the talent they had on the field. With three consecutive wins, though, the Tiger-Cats look like a team ready to bust out of their shell.

With their 36-25 win over Toronto on Saturday afternoon, Hamilton swept their Labour Day home-and-home set with their provincial rivals, and looked impressive in the process. Overall it’s a three-game win streak for the Tiger-Cats, but it’s the two games against the Argos that could end up being exactly what the doctor ordered.

Hamilton’s biggest issue this season has been finishing. Led by Jeremiah Masoli at quarterback, the Ticats were moving the ball consistently, but were struggling to convert drives into touchdowns. That trend took a big turn in the last week.

In two games against Toronto, Masoli threw for 692 yards and seven touchdowns while completing more than 73 per cent of his passes. Yes, the Argonauts have struggled to defend the pass in recent times, but that doesn’t change how strong Masoli looked. He’s developed into a strong pocket passer and that’s why Hamilton is comfortable having him throw the ball more than 30 times a game.

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Jeremiah Masoli looks off a defender during Saturday’s win over the Argos (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)

Masoli isn’t the only one settling into a solid groove, though. How about Brandon Banks and what he’s done the last couple months? In his last six games, Banks is averaging a touchdown and 108 receiving yards per game. Right now, especially with some recent injuries, it’s hard to name a more dynamic receiver in the league.

Then there’s running back Alex Green who has exploded in his return to action after a hand injury right before the season started. In five games since returning, Green has totaled eight touchdowns and is good for more than 100 total offensive yards per game. I don’t think it’s a coincidence Hamilton has won four of five since Green’s 2018 debut.

Of course, there are some tests still to pass for the Tiger-Cats. Unfortunately, receiver Jalen Saunders is done for the season, robbing Masoli of another explosive talent. In game one without him, Luke Tasker picked up the slack with a big game, but going forward without Saunders is going to be a challenge.

And, speaking of challenges, Hamilton has a huge one as they attempt to make it four straight wins. The Ticats have a Week 14 matchup with the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday afternoon, which will be a true measuring stick as to where they are. At 9-2, the Stamps are not only the league’s best team, but they’ll also be an ornery bunch after Monday’s loss in Edmonton.

I’ve been big on Hamilton all year long, which is why their 3-5 start to the season was slightly surprising. With what we’ve seen from them lately, though, it looks like this team is starting to live up to the loads of potential we knew they had. Tied with Ottawa atop the East Division at 6-5, there’s still everything to play for down the stretch.

Quarterback conundrum

I do not envy the spot Mike O’Shea finds himself in right now. Not only does the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have a four-game losing skid to contend with, he also has a huge decision to make at quarterback. When I try to put myself in his shoes, I get cold sweats just thinking about his dilemma.

Let’s not mince words: Matt Nichols has struggled in his last three outings. He’s completed just 58.9 per cent of his passes during that stretch and has thrown seven interceptions against two touchdowns. He’d be the first to admit he’s been off the mark in recent times.

As such, I don’t think anyone objected when O’Shea made the call to replace Nichols with Chris Streveler to start the second half. But that’s an in-game decision, which is a little different than the decision as to who to start when the Bombers come off their Week 14 bye.

While this decision might seem cut and dried for some, I can understand why it’s anything but for O’Shea. Yes, Nichols has struggled of late, but we’re also talking about the catalyst of Winnipeg’s dramatic franchise turnaround.

Without Nichols and the way he transformed this team’s offence upon taking over starter in 2016, the Blue Bombers wouldn’t be looking to make it three straight years in the playoffs. Far more often than not, Nichols has helped Winnipeg way more than he’s hurt them, and I can understand staying loyal.


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» Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET: BC at Montreal
» Saturday, 4:00 p.m. ET: Calgary at Hamilton
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On the other hand, though, it was a bold decision made by O’Shea two years ago that helped kick start this aforementioned transformation. Remember, it was a bold decision to replace Drew Willy with Nichols five weeks into the 2016 season that helped usher in a new era for the Bombers. You can bet O’Shea remembers how difficult that decision was to make, and how well it turned out.

I’m a huge Nichols fan and I truly believe he can get things back on track. I’ve gone back and forth on this one, but if I had the decision in my hands, I’d keep him at the top of the depth chart, for a few reasons.

First off, Winnipeg is heading into a bye, so it gives Nichols and the team some time to reset mentally and come back to practice next week refreshed. Some time away, and then some reflective time with the playbook and in front of a screen could be huge for Nichols.

Additionally, let’s not forget what Nichols and the Bombers have gone up against last three weeks: the two best defences in the CFL. After taking on formidable Calgary, Winnipeg played two against the terrifying Riders defensive front. Winnipeg comes off their bye to take on Montreal in Week 15, which isn’t the same type of test and it might allow Nichols to win back some confidence.

Finally, I do think Nichols has earned a shot to work his way through this. The Bombers can make a switch to Streveler if Nichols struggles against the Alouettes, but the latter has been the driving force of an impressive resurgence. Nichols deserves the chances to play his way back to that form.

Quick hits

Give the Edmonton Eskimos credit, because they just kept putting up points on Saturday night. Eventually the Esks outlasted Calgary 48-42 to earn a split in this year’s Battle of Alberta. It is somewhat scary, though, that the Stamps turned the ball over seven times and were within six points late in the fourth quarter. It just shows you how hard that team is to put away.

And finally, the BC Lions are staring the biggest game of their season in the face. Thanks to a huge 26-14 win over Ottawa on Friday night, the Lions have moved within a game of Winnipeg for fourth in West Division and, due to the crossover, a playoff spot. BC has Montreal on Friday night and they need this one if they’re going to keep themselves in the playoff hunt.