Hamilton Tiger-Cats Pre-Season Game #1
Visiting Team: Toronto Argonauts
Home Team: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Date and Time: Saturday, May 24th at 7 pm EDT
Game Location: Hamilton (formerly Tim Hortons) Field, Hamilton, Ontario
Where to Watch: In Canada, TSN 2 In the US and International, CFL +
During a typical off-season in the CFL, it is not uncommon for most teams to see numerous changes to their roster. While not counting towards the team’s 2025 record, the two pre-season games give the team and their coaches a chance to see how well their players work together. These games are also major data points when deciding which players make the roster after training camp, which moves to the practice squad, and which players get released as free agents.
Setting the Stage for Pre-Season Game #1
This Saturday, when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton will have a chance to get their players on film and evaluate those players. The Tiger-Cats have made numerous changes on the defensive side of the ball this off-season, including hiring defensive coordinator Brent Monson. Due to the collection of new players, this pre-season game will be vital for player evaluations and for players to show they have what it takes to stay on the Tiger-Cats roster.
The Toronto Argonauts have also experienced an overhaul of their roster this off-season, and this game is just as important to the Argonauts as they decide which players can stay and which must be released. While the Tiger-Cats need to defeat the Argonauts every time they play, the fundamental goal of this game is to make preparations for the start of the 2025 CFL season. There are some specific goals that the Tiger-Cats need to accomplish in this game, and staying healthy is not the least of those goals.
Let’s examine what the Tiger-Cats need to accomplish in this game against the hated Toronto Argonauts.
Point of Emphasis #1: Establish the Running Game Early
The Tiger-Cats must find early success running the ball against a talented Toronto Argonauts front seven. Recent history shows that the Tiger-Cats tend to be a high-volume passing team, but in an ideal world, head coach Scott Milanovich would like his offensive unit to be balanced. If the Tiger-Cats can effectively run the ball on 1st down, they can keep their options open on 2nd down rather than allowing the Argonauts defensive line to tee off on the quarterbacks with their pass rush.
Point of Emphasis #2: Protect the Quarterback
Another area the Tiger-Cats need to excel in during this first pre-season game at the Argonauts deals with their pass protection. Generally, the Tiger-Cats quarterbacks, including Bo Levi Mitchell and Taylor Powell, are pocket passers. While both quarterbacks can run the ball, each quarterback’s overhaul health and longevity is directly related to how well the Tiger-Cats offensive line can protect them. In 2024, the Tiger-Cats surrendered 30 quarterback sacks, which, compared to previous seasons, can be considered a success. This game is Hamilton’s first opportunity to show they can continue improving their pass protection.
Point of Emphasis #3: Stop the Run Game
The most important area that the Tiger-Cats need to show considerable improvement in is stopping the Argonauts’ running game with their front seven. In 2024, the Tiger-Cats struggled to stop their opponents’ run game, allowing nearly 5 yards per carry. Several new faces are along the Tiger-Cats’ defensive line and linebacking units. Defensive coordinator Brent Monson and his defensive coaches need to demonstrate significant improvement compared to last year’s disappointing performance on the defensive side of the ball.
Point of Emphasis #4: Effective Communication Defensively
During the 2024 season, the Tiger-Cats also struggled to build chemistry in their defensive secondary after adding several talented players last off-season. The key to building chemistry is to play together and learn how to communicate across the field verbally and non-verbally. That collection of talent did not allow the Tiger-Cats to stop their opponent’s passing game effectively. As a result, the Tiger-Cats secondary allowed many passes to be caught right in front of the defenders, or Hamilton’s secondary would blow a coverage, leaving wide receivers wide open down the field. During this game against Toronto, the Tiger-Cats must be superior in their communication regarding picking up receivers and maintaining adequate coverage downfield.
Point of Emphasis #5: Force Turnovers
Along with executing well on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, the Tiger-Cats need to emphasize winning the turnover battle. From the top to the bottom of their roster, the Tiger-Cats offensive players need to protect the ball. Generally, the Tiger-Cats did protect the ball well during the 2024 season, but they need to make forcing turnovers a priority on the defensive side of the ball. Whether the Tiger-Cats force fumbles or interceptions, they must improve their ability to push Toronto to turn over the ball.
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