Former Mac quarterback Marshal Ferguson is reporting on his Twitter feed that Ticat receiver Luke Tasker has been put on the suspended list. In pre-season this is often a scam for veteran players who are somewhat injured to not count against the roster when pre-season cuts are required.
So Tasker at least isn't on the six game list, but who knows if he will be healthy for game one.
Showing posts with label luke tasker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label luke tasker. Show all posts
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Luke Tasker Officially Resigned By the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Canadian Press is reporting that import receiver Luke Tasker is now officially resigned by the Ticats for three years. One wonders how much it cost the Cats, although Hamilton likely gets a bit of a discount for being located so close to Tasker's hometown in Western New York (I would say Buffalo but I'm not sure if he grew up in one of those bizarrely named little towns around Buffalo).
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
CFL.ca Agent Tracker; Also No Confirmation of the Ticats Signing Luke Tasker
The CFL has a great free agent tracker site up at http://www.cfl.ca/article/2015-free-agent-tracker. Right now the only Ticat agent that has been resigned is non-import offensive lineman Tim O'Neil out of seventeen total. Luke Tasker is still listed as unsigned.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Hamilton Ticats Resign Wide Receiver Luke Tasker?
The Scratching Post is reporting that the Ticats have resigned import wide receiver Luke Tasker. No official announcement yet, but if it is true that's great news for 2015.
Tasker was the leading receiver in terms of yardage in 2014 for the Tiger-Cats. Having him and Andy Fantuz is a pretty good receiving tandem. The question then becomes who will the other main receivers be in 2015? Bakari Grant? Greg Ellingson? Sam Giguere? Brandon Banks?
Having Tasker signed means that the Ticats have more flexibility in terms of who they need to sign to round out the receiving corps and losing one or two of the other four isn't that big a deal. The Cats over the years have shown good ability at finding import receivers, so there isn't a lot of reasons to be concerned.
One question is how much Tasker signed for. If it is for a lot, that could cause a lot of problems for other problems in terms of the salary cap. The Cats may then want to not resign some of the other receivers and just go with cheap first year imports.
Also I'm glad as a Ticat fan that Tasker signed now rather than attending a NFL camp and only coming back later to the team. Tasker's size likely hurt him in trying to catch on with an NFL team. The CFL's much larger field also is more suited to Tasker.
Tasker was the leading receiver in terms of yardage in 2014 for the Tiger-Cats. Having him and Andy Fantuz is a pretty good receiving tandem. The question then becomes who will the other main receivers be in 2015? Bakari Grant? Greg Ellingson? Sam Giguere? Brandon Banks?
Having Tasker signed means that the Ticats have more flexibility in terms of who they need to sign to round out the receiving corps and losing one or two of the other four isn't that big a deal. The Cats over the years have shown good ability at finding import receivers, so there isn't a lot of reasons to be concerned.
One question is how much Tasker signed for. If it is for a lot, that could cause a lot of problems for other problems in terms of the salary cap. The Cats may then want to not resign some of the other receivers and just go with cheap first year imports.
Also I'm glad as a Ticat fan that Tasker signed now rather than attending a NFL camp and only coming back later to the team. Tasker's size likely hurt him in trying to catch on with an NFL team. The CFL's much larger field also is more suited to Tasker.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Green Bay Packers Tryout for Ticats Receiver Luke Tasker
Profootballtalk.com has a report about Ticats receiver Luke Tasker havinga workout for the Green Bay Packers. That's not all that surprising considering the two seasons Tasker has had, although his size isn't particularly well suited towards the NFL game.
Tasker may well not make a game day NFL roster, but he could easily get an invite to a training camp, which would mean he would miss the beginning of the CFL season. One would have to think the Tiger-Cats are in the driver's seat to resign the free agent among the CFL teams considering Tasker is from Buffalo.
Tasker may well not make a game day NFL roster, but he could easily get an invite to a training camp, which would mean he would miss the beginning of the CFL season. One would have to think the Tiger-Cats are in the driver's seat to resign the free agent among the CFL teams considering Tasker is from Buffalo.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Hamilton Tiger-Cats Receiving Leaders Week 19 2014, Luke Tasker 1000 Yards Possible?
Here's the Ticats receiving yards leaders after week 19 (catches yards):
Tasker 67 876
Fantuz 62 639
Grant 55 563
Madu 44 512
Giguere 37 500
Banks 37 464
Ellingson 32 429
Tasker needs only 124 yards to reach 1000 yards. He has caught more than that in a single game, so it definitely is possible, although not probable. It is more likely if Andy Fantuz is still injured and can't play in this week's game against Montreal. Fantuz likely would have made 1000 yards if he hadn't been injured for so many games this year.
Madu has a lot of yards for a running back, especially considering he hasn't played in all the games. He certainly doesn't have a lot of yards rushing.
Tasker 67 876
Fantuz 62 639
Grant 55 563
Madu 44 512
Giguere 37 500
Banks 37 464
Ellingson 32 429
Tasker needs only 124 yards to reach 1000 yards. He has caught more than that in a single game, so it definitely is possible, although not probable. It is more likely if Andy Fantuz is still injured and can't play in this week's game against Montreal. Fantuz likely would have made 1000 yards if he hadn't been injured for so many games this year.
Madu has a lot of yards for a running back, especially considering he hasn't played in all the games. He certainly doesn't have a lot of yards rushing.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
A Look at the Last Hamilton at Toronto Game's Statistics
Here's a look at the stats from the Ticats 26 to 24 loss in Toronto.
Certainly one aspect of the game was how poor the Ticats, especially the offense played in the first quarter. Toronto outscored the Ticats 15 to 0, although it could have been worse as the Ticats defence
managed to hold the Argos from scoring multiple TDs.
Zach Collaros ended up having a statistically good game with 335 yards passing from 24 completions out of 36 attempts. Collaros had 3 passing TDs versus one interception. Curiously Collaros had no rushing attempts at all. Which to me seems a bit problematic, as a few runs by Collaros
would mix it up a bit for the Argos defence.
The Ticats had basically no rushing overall, with former Bomber Nick Grigsby rushing six times for six yards. Curiously Grigsby who had a lot of catches as a Bomber had none in this game, although obviously he just showed up in Hamilton. Madu had three rushes for six years returning for injury. Madu also had five catches 39 yards.
One issue for the Cats in this game was no Andy Fantuz, which I think was part of the woes the Ticats offense had in the first quarter. Fantuz is good at getting open and that option wasn't there and Collaros seemed to have trouble in the first quarter. There was again no Greg Ellingson either in this game.
Luke Tasker emerged as the primary receiver with nine catches and 138 yards. Giguere had a decent game with the three catches for 66 yards taking over at slotback for Fantuz. Banks and
Sinkfield had three catches each. Bakari Grant only had one catch for three yards which seems odd. Former Hamilton Hurricane Coates who has had a few catches over the past few games had no catches but started at Giguere's usual wide receiver spot most likely due to ratio issues.
Defensively only Reed from the middle linebacker spot was credited with a sack while also having a forced fumble. Lawrence had two forced fumbles and Justin Hickman had one, while Rico Murray
had the interception. I remember Hall and Hickman having both a pass knockdowns although I can't verify it online (which is sad because while not being as good as a sack, for a defence a pass knockdown is an excellent result).
One statistical difference of note between the Argos and Ticats that I think was important was the difference in punting average between Medlock and Swayze "Don't Call Me Patrick" Waters.
In perfect conditions inside Dead Ted's Dome, Medlock had a 42.9 yard average with 50 as his longest punt whereas Waters averaged a massive 51.8 yards. There was several times in the game where it looked like the Ticats would going to get good field position after forcing the Argos to punt and Waters ended up booming one and the Cats ended up with mediocre field position. Medlock's
kicking has been excellent, however his punting left something to be desired in comparison to Water's punting in this game.
Certainly one aspect of the game was how poor the Ticats, especially the offense played in the first quarter. Toronto outscored the Ticats 15 to 0, although it could have been worse as the Ticats defence
managed to hold the Argos from scoring multiple TDs.
Zach Collaros ended up having a statistically good game with 335 yards passing from 24 completions out of 36 attempts. Collaros had 3 passing TDs versus one interception. Curiously Collaros had no rushing attempts at all. Which to me seems a bit problematic, as a few runs by Collaros
would mix it up a bit for the Argos defence.
The Ticats had basically no rushing overall, with former Bomber Nick Grigsby rushing six times for six yards. Curiously Grigsby who had a lot of catches as a Bomber had none in this game, although obviously he just showed up in Hamilton. Madu had three rushes for six years returning for injury. Madu also had five catches 39 yards.
One issue for the Cats in this game was no Andy Fantuz, which I think was part of the woes the Ticats offense had in the first quarter. Fantuz is good at getting open and that option wasn't there and Collaros seemed to have trouble in the first quarter. There was again no Greg Ellingson either in this game.
Luke Tasker emerged as the primary receiver with nine catches and 138 yards. Giguere had a decent game with the three catches for 66 yards taking over at slotback for Fantuz. Banks and
Sinkfield had three catches each. Bakari Grant only had one catch for three yards which seems odd. Former Hamilton Hurricane Coates who has had a few catches over the past few games had no catches but started at Giguere's usual wide receiver spot most likely due to ratio issues.
Defensively only Reed from the middle linebacker spot was credited with a sack while also having a forced fumble. Lawrence had two forced fumbles and Justin Hickman had one, while Rico Murray
had the interception. I remember Hall and Hickman having both a pass knockdowns although I can't verify it online (which is sad because while not being as good as a sack, for a defence a pass knockdown is an excellent result).
One statistical difference of note between the Argos and Ticats that I think was important was the difference in punting average between Medlock and Swayze "Don't Call Me Patrick" Waters.
In perfect conditions inside Dead Ted's Dome, Medlock had a 42.9 yard average with 50 as his longest punt whereas Waters averaged a massive 51.8 yards. There was several times in the game where it looked like the Ticats would going to get good field position after forcing the Argos to punt and Waters ended up booming one and the Cats ended up with mediocre field position. Medlock's
kicking has been excellent, however his punting left something to be desired in comparison to Water's punting in this game.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Preview: Hamilton Ticats at Montreal Alouettes, October 20th 2013
What's interesting about the Ticats lineup this week versus last week? Non-import receiver Samuel Giguere is pencilled in the depth chart. Combine that with the offensive line starting four Canadians (Wojt is still at right tackle and O'Neill is at guard again this week) and I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen on offense.
The Cats have two Canadians starters on defence and need just five on offense for the ratio. With the four on the line and Fantuz, the Cats don't need Giguere for the ratio and indeed Dobson Collins is listed as a starting wide receiver, with Giguere listed behind Fantuz at one of the slot positions. Maybe Giguere will just be eased in and not play a lot of downs. Something to watch for.
Import Onrea Jones is listed as a starting wide receiver and imports Grant and Tasker ("his father played in the NFL!" Rod Black) are listed as two of the other slots. So still no Greg Ellingson. Non-import Delahunt is back at full back after being out with injury for a spell.
In theory with Delahunt in at fullback, the Cats would not even need Fantuz on the field as they could go with Jones, Dobson, Grant and Tasker as the slots and receivers. Something I doubt will happen, plus the Cats almost never use a fullback except for in obvious short running plays, preferring to go with five receivers.
On defence, Johnson looks like he'll be back at middle linebacker. Bulcke at defensive tackle and Stephen at safety are the two starting Canadians on defence. Dee Webb is still injured.
Congi is back at kicker, so hopefully that will placate all the callers on CHML's the Fifth Quarter. Unless he misses some field goals and the whole cycle will begin anew.
The Cats have two Canadians starters on defence and need just five on offense for the ratio. With the four on the line and Fantuz, the Cats don't need Giguere for the ratio and indeed Dobson Collins is listed as a starting wide receiver, with Giguere listed behind Fantuz at one of the slot positions. Maybe Giguere will just be eased in and not play a lot of downs. Something to watch for.
Import Onrea Jones is listed as a starting wide receiver and imports Grant and Tasker ("his father played in the NFL!" Rod Black) are listed as two of the other slots. So still no Greg Ellingson. Non-import Delahunt is back at full back after being out with injury for a spell.
In theory with Delahunt in at fullback, the Cats would not even need Fantuz on the field as they could go with Jones, Dobson, Grant and Tasker as the slots and receivers. Something I doubt will happen, plus the Cats almost never use a fullback except for in obvious short running plays, preferring to go with five receivers.
On defence, Johnson looks like he'll be back at middle linebacker. Bulcke at defensive tackle and Stephen at safety are the two starting Canadians on defence. Dee Webb is still injured.
Congi is back at kicker, so hopefully that will placate all the callers on CHML's the Fifth Quarter. Unless he misses some field goals and the whole cycle will begin anew.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Thoughts on the Argos at Ticats Thanksgiving Game
A little late to be talking about Monday's Ticat Argo tilt, but I have some thoughts. First C.J. Gable is turning out to be a great find for the Cats. He had 17 carries for 118 yards, for a solid 6.9 yard average and a TD. In addition he had five catches for 46 yards. Gable has a decent shot at 1,000 yards rushing this year. I'm assuming that Gable signed a two year deal plus a club option year, so potentially the Cats would have him for 2014 and 2015 as well, before he could try the NFL as a free agent. Getting rid of the possibility of option year players to sign with the NFL certainly improves things as a fan.
Luke Tasker had seven catches for 113 yards to lead the Ticats receivers. Ellingson being injured is giving Tasker a chance to make an impression. With Tasker, I wonder if Kent Austin (his coach at Cornell) didn't come back to the CFL to coach, would he have ever had had a chance to make an impression in the CFL? Maybe a team might have invited him to camp, but would they have had any faith in him? Football can be a lucky business and sometimes successful players got their initial chance through luck.
Dobson Collins also had a good game, second in receiving yards with 69 on five catches. With the success the Cats have had with a variety of receivers this year, that speaks well of both Burris, the offensive line and the offensive system.
Fantuz only had two catches for 33 yards. Is his injury still bugging him, or was he just getting a lot of double coverage. Grant only had four catches for 31 yards, so I'm assuming the Argos were putting weaker coverage on Collins and Tasker.
Burris had a great game, with 350 yards passing on 27 completed passes versus 36 attempts. A 75% completion rate is excellent against the Argos defense. One pick versus no TDs, but even Ricky Ray had a pick.
The defence had a good game as well. Bussey, in at linebacker for the injured Jamal Johnson had six tackles. The Cats had two sacks, a pick and a forced fumble which isn't bad.
Overall an excellent game against a tough opponent in a game they needed to win for any hope of home field advantage for the Eastern Final.
Luke Tasker had seven catches for 113 yards to lead the Ticats receivers. Ellingson being injured is giving Tasker a chance to make an impression. With Tasker, I wonder if Kent Austin (his coach at Cornell) didn't come back to the CFL to coach, would he have ever had had a chance to make an impression in the CFL? Maybe a team might have invited him to camp, but would they have had any faith in him? Football can be a lucky business and sometimes successful players got their initial chance through luck.
Dobson Collins also had a good game, second in receiving yards with 69 on five catches. With the success the Cats have had with a variety of receivers this year, that speaks well of both Burris, the offensive line and the offensive system.
Fantuz only had two catches for 33 yards. Is his injury still bugging him, or was he just getting a lot of double coverage. Grant only had four catches for 31 yards, so I'm assuming the Argos were putting weaker coverage on Collins and Tasker.
Burris had a great game, with 350 yards passing on 27 completed passes versus 36 attempts. A 75% completion rate is excellent against the Argos defense. One pick versus no TDs, but even Ricky Ray had a pick.
The defence had a good game as well. Bussey, in at linebacker for the injured Jamal Johnson had six tackles. The Cats had two sacks, a pick and a forced fumble which isn't bad.
Overall an excellent game against a tough opponent in a game they needed to win for any hope of home field advantage for the Eastern Final.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)