Quarterback Controversy? 


The only thing that really saddens me about Thursday’s game against Toronto is that the Tiger-cats can’t play the Argos every week. In the recent past, our rivals have had our number, usually winning and often sweeping the season series. In fact, you have to go back to Labour Day 2005 to find the last time Hamilton squeaked out a regular-season victory over the Boatmen. A week later the Ticats suffered their first shutout in recent memory at the hands of that same squad, and haven’t been on the right side of the scoreboard in games against them since.

That is, until this season. Their 32-13 victory in Week 2 gave us all reason for optimism, which over the subsequent weeks became gradually squashed. Realizing that perhaps this team wasn’t as good as they appeared in Week 2, and going into the rematch without Jesse Lumsden, Casey Printers and Tony Miles, the smallest crowd of the Bob Young era was hardly overflowing with enthusiasm as they filed into a rain-soaked Ivor Wynne Stadium.

But Terry Caulley put up some Lumsden-esque numbers, averaging better than nine yards a carry and gaining 127 yards of real estate, including one play in which his intended path was blocked, so he took it around the right side thirty yards and flew into the end zone. While Jesse remains the starter, the team is going to have to make a tough decision when he returns.

Hamilton’s much-maligned receiving corps is quickly becoming a force. They are more reliable than they have been in the past, and are much more successful with the big plays. The Argos managed to hold Prechae Rodriguez, Hamilton’s best deep threat the past few games, to just one catch for 20 yards, but JoJo Walker, Scott Mitchell, and Chris Bauman all made catches of more than 40 yards. Most teams don’t even attempt this against the Argonaut secondary.

Richie Williams played as well as any starting quarterback in this league, not simply “taking what the defence gives him,” as is the prevailing wisdom when facing Toronto’s defence, but taking what he wanted, racking up nearly 300 yards through the air. More importantly, he registered the team’s first touchdown pass of the season, getting a growing monkey off the back of the players and coaches. Even if it was a monkey that was bred, birthed and nursed by the media, who are apparently unaware that a touchdown scored on the ground is worth as many points as one scored via the pass. Then, for good measure, he put up the team’s second and third touchdown passes of the season.

This brings up the question of whether there is a quarterback controversy in Hamilton. As much as I don’t want my struggling team to be facing one, I think we have one whether we want one or not. Richie Williams has shown, on Thursday and in the past, that he is better than any backup quarterback in the CFL, and as good as many starters. He has had more success in relief of Casey Printers than Casey has had in the number one role. The business of football dictates that the guy making the most money needs to play, and that’s Printers. We are fortunate that Williams’ ego, like his paycheque, is a fraction of that of Printers. He says this is Casey’s team, and he is willing to accept his position as a backup. But how long can this team hold on to Williams, without elevating him to the position he deserves?