Looks like its Open Season on QBs in Hamilton again. Seems like only yesterday we were hanging Danny Mac. Seriously,does anyone really believe Maas has lost it? There has to be an explanation for the drastic change in his performance 2005 to 2006. Obviously,the change in Offensive coaching has been beneficial in that for the first time this season he got to stand in the pocket and look for his receivers ,not run for his life(although that did occur as the game wore on and the team started to fold). What is worrisome is that even with time to look,Maas still seemed to have noplace/no one to throw to - and this has been a season-long trend .We know what he did in EDM. with those receivers ,so why the big change? I think its time to move the focus from just Maas/O-Line and examine the receiving corps.
As a group,they are far short of the speed and talent of the Eskimo corps.-and THEY are what you NEED to pose a threat to defences.
D.J.Flick stays - hes our only bona-fide receiver. The jury is out on Terry Vaughn - has he lost his speed and elusiveness to age or does the opposition concentrate more on him because we lack multiple threats? Kamau Peterson has improved greatly from last season-I dont think anyone can question his heart or pass-catching ability now.
However,I just dont see him as a WR - I dont see the deep speed or route-running savvy.With his size
and demonstrated willingness to go into traffic on short routes,I think he could be effective at the Inside position.
Brock Ralph has been disappointing -either the kid doesnt want to play here or hes been way over-rated.Definitely Trade Bait - back home to Cal. for John Grace ? Mike Morreale is still dependable-if Peterson cant do it at Inside , give the job to Morreale.
Lets get Kahlil Hill on the outside and scare some defences - this could pay added dividends in that it may open up others Vaughn/Flick). If we can improve our passing game,it follows that the running game will benefit - now Holmes and Ranek do Lift-Off. Should Lumsden return,that would add a CDN. to offset the Import (Hill) at WR. Also,Ranek then becomes Tradeable ( sorry Josh,I really like having you here,but this is a Game of Numbers,not Favourites).Sidebar-Maas and Ranek to B.C. for Printers and ??? The Canadian game is a PASSING game,so lets make the most of it.
Oh yes - and if the game is going badly,get the 3rd -string QB in there pronto. No sense continuing to ruin Maas` confidence, and Eakin DOES NOT have what it takes to be a Reliever - which is what a Back-Up QB has to be. Let the kid have a chance to show and learn - what have you got to lose ?