Myddelton trade a rare miss for Austin's Ticats
by Steve Milton
Tuesday's trade that sent Barrie native Steve Myddleton to the Edmonton Eskimos for a conditional pick in 2015 and the Esks' fourth-round pick the following year underscored a rarity in Hamilton's Kent Austin era: In his nearly two years here, it's been unusual for the Cats to take a swing and miss in the major Canadian Football League free-agent and trade markets.
Myddleton, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound, six-year CFL veteran, came here on Feb. 11, the first day of 2014 free agency when the Cats lured him from the Calgary Stampeders.
On the same day, the Cats also signed safety Craig Butler, defensive back Brandon Stewart, a starter, and re-signed their own free agent Marc Beswick, on his way to becoming the most prolific special-teams tackler in team history. Those signings are working out well, as is last year's harvest of defensive tackle Brian Bulcke and linebacker Marcellus Bowman early in the free-agency period, although Bowman has been too frequently injured to make a definitive judgment. That same fortnight, Austin swung a spectacularly lopsided deal with the Esks that brought offensive lineman Greg Wojt, linebacker Simoni Lawrence and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli east for Nathan Kanya and Carson Rockhill, whom the Cats later reobtained.
Twelve days before the Feb. 11 splurge, the Cats had signed free agent Zach Collaros and there is no doubt he is the No. 1 quarterback on this team.
With Peter Dyakowski out after knee surgery and Marwan Hage lost to Ottawa and retirement, Myddleton was to be a presence in the middle of the offensive line. But, after the Cats surrendered 10 sacks in the season opener in Saskatchewan, they went to three Americans on the offensive line for the first time in years, essentially replacing Myddleton with former tackle Brian Simmons.
No Ticat spokesman was available Tuesday — these folks are very tired after a marathon weekend — but it could be that the trade also signals that either Wojt, or Dyakowski, or both, may soon come off the six-game disabled list.
Nickname for new stadium sought
We've been having the usual overanalytical newspaper-type discussions around The Spec concerning nicknames for Tim Hortons Field. Should there be one? Who should determine it? Does it come from the street or from the media? How often should it be used? How durable will it be?
If you're interested in suggesting a nickname for the stadium, to post it in the comment section. Doesn't mean we'll use it, or use any nickname, but let's see what's out there.
NOTES: The Tiger-Cats have moved up to second in the CFL with an average of 262.3 passing yards per game, 11 yards per game behind Toronto. One common factor there is that they both trail in a lot of games, and need to throw. … The improving Ticats are now third-last in sacks surrendered by the offence, but trail the league in defensive sacks. … Chris Williams, released by the Chicago Bears over the weekend, has a number of tryouts lined up with NFL teams this week. If he returns to the CFL, a pre-agreed contract with the Ticats is in place. Ex-Cat Marcus Thigpen was released by the Dolphins. …Luke Tasker, who caught five passes for 62 yards Monday is now the leading Cat receiver at 308 yards, but is just 16th best in the league. Bakari Grant is next at 254, and 27th overall. … Our wishes for a speedy recovery to the great Paul Weller, who was Pigskin Pete before retiring and passing the bowler hat to Dan Black, who launched the first Oskee-Wee-Wees into orbit at the new stadium Monday. Weller reluctantly missed the Cats' debut at Tim Hortons Field because he's in St. Joe's with pneumonia.
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