The major problem with Hamilton as I see it is their coach. Week after weak (sic) he makes game management blunders. Clock mistakes, timeout mistakes, challenge mistakes, and poor 3rd down decision-making. Among his blunders yesterday was this mind-bogger:
Situation: Down by 16 with just a few minutes left and about to receive a kickoff. The kick will most likely go to the endzone because of the wind. Sure enough the kick goes into the endzone and without any hesitation whatsoever the kick returner concedes a single point thus the 'cats are down 3 scores instead of 2 and effectively ending the game. This boneheadedness is totally on the coach...He should have made it clear to the returner that under NO CIRCUMSTANCES must he be caught in the endzone. And don't even get me started on ridiculous uses of challenges.
It was the same type of nonsense last week. 2nd quarter, 1:31 left and Hamilton was about to receive the ball via punt. Coach burns his timeout. Insane. 1:31 in the CFL is an eternity. Sure enough they get the ball, go 2 and out, punt it back and leave Mtl just enough time to score themselves before the half. etc. etc. etc. etc. This type of stuff has been going on all season, and the announcers never comment on any of it.
I have 2 other concerns with Hamilton...running back and place kicking. Neither seem very good (rb loves to shuffle his feet sideways on 3rd and 1...coaching again).
All that said I will be on Hamilton when the spot and the points indicate a play. It's a long season and...although the coach may not become a football mensat over the next 3 months...the other issues can be resolved. And there most certainly are glaring weaknesses on other squads around the league as well.
Londo
