2008 Hamilton Tiger-Cats season

Infobox NFL_season

team = Hamilton Tiger-Cats
year = 2008
record = 3-11-0
division_place = 4th, East
coach = Marcel Bellefeuille (Interim)
stadium = Ivor Wynne Stadium
playoffs = TBDThe Hamilton Tiger-Cats will attempt to win their 9th Grey Cup championship.

Offseason

Jamacia Jackson

Ticats linebacker Jamacia Jackson passed away on April 16, 2008. [ [http://www.ticats.ca/index.php?module=newser&func=display&nid=23481 Hamilton Tiger-Cats :: Official Site of the Tiger-Cats ] ] Jackson was found unresponsive on Monday morning at a home in Sumter, South Carolina. He was later pronounced dead at a local area hospital. Jamacia was 26 years old. Jackson’s stepmother, Cleo Jackson, advised The Associated Press that he was in good health and had lifted weights Saturday. Jackson had played 12 games with the Ticats last season after signing with the club as a free agent Jan. 11, 2007. [http://www.thespec.com/Sports/article/354308 TheSpec.com - Sports - Ticat Jamacia Jackson, 26, found dead this morning ] ] Jackson spent his college career at the University of South Carolina and played in 43 games over four seasons, including 21 as a starting strong safety. His career stats include 159 career tackles for the Gamecocks along with two interceptions, returning one 98 yards for a touchdown. He also forced three fumbles and recovered two others. Jackson was named Most Valuable Defensive Player of the 1999 Shrine Bowl.Jackson was signed by the NFL’s Tennessee Titans on April 29, 2005 and was waived by the Titans on July 27. [ [http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=54163 Jamacia Jackson, SS, South Carolina - 2005 NFL Draft Scout Profile, Powered by The SportsXchange ] ] After being cut by the Titans, he signed with the Montreal Alouettes and was assigned to their practice roster. Before coming to the CFL, he signed with the NFL’s New York Giants in 2006 but was allocated to NFL Europe. He was selected in the 16th round by the Berlin Thunder. Despite attending Berlin’s training camp, he was released March 5, 2006 and subsequently cut loose by the Giants two weeks later. Jackson is the second Ticats’ player to die during a recent off-season. Offensive lineman Travis Claridge died on February 28, 2006 after being found unconscious in his Las Vegas home. Claridge was 27 at the time and his death was later ruled accidental. An autopsy revealed that Jackson died from an irregular heartbeat caused by an enlarged heart. Sumter County coroner Verna Moore stated on Tuesday April 16 that the autopsy revealed Jackson likely had an enlarged heart for years. [ [http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080415.wsptcfl15/GSStory/GlobeSportsFootball/home globesports.com: Coroner: Jamacia Jackson had irregular heartbeat ] ]

Transactions

*December 5, 2007:Bob O'Billovich was hired as the general manager for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The former B.C. Lions player-personnel director took over as general manager of the Ticats with an emphasis on tough, rugged play - especially on defence. [ [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Hamilton/2007/11/05/4632482-cp.html CANOE - SLAM! Sports - CFL - Hamilton: New GM for Hamilton ] ]
*January 30, 2008: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats re-signed defensive back Lawrence Gordon on Wednesday to a two-year contract. [ [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Hamilton/2008/01/30/4802407-cp.html CANOE - SLAM! Sports - CFL - Hamilton: Ticats re-sign Gordon ] ]
*January 13, 2008: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Sunday that Charlie Taaffe will remain the CFL club's head coach despite published reports last week that he was heading to the University of West Virginia to become the Mountaineer's offensive co-ordinator. [ [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Hamilton/2008/01/13/4770681-cp.html CANOE - SLAM! Sports - CFL - Hamilton: Ticats to issue statement regarding future of head coach Taaffe ] ]
*February 13, 2008: The Edmonton Eskimos acquired wide receiver Brock Ralph from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Wednesday in exchange for linebacker Michael Botterill and defensive back Chris Thompson. [ [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Hamilton/2008/02/13/4844319-cp.html CANOE - SLAM! Sports - CFL - Hamilton: Eskimos acquire receiver Ralph from Ticats for Botterill and Thompson ] ]
*February 14, 2008: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats re-signed defensive back Jykine Bradley on Thursday. [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Hamilton/2008/02/14/4847363-cp.html CANOE - SLAM! Sports - CFL - Hamilton: Hamilton Tiger-Cats re-sign defensive back Jykin Bradley to new contract ] ]
*February 14, 2008: The Ticats released defensive back Richard Karikari and offensive lineman Ryan Donnelly.
*April 18, 2008: The Tiger-Cats signed centre Marwan Hage to a contract extension Friday that will keep him with the Ticats through the 2010 season. [ [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Hamilton/2008/04/18/5325651-cp.html CANOE - SLAM! Sports - CFL - Hamilton: Cats sign Hage to extension ] ]

CFL Draft

In the 2008 CFL Draft, 48 players were chosen from among 752 eligible players [Cite web| url=http://www.cfl.ca/static/pdf/cfl/2008_draft_list.pdf| title=Draft List for Year 2008| publisher=Canadian Football League| date=2008-01-28] from Canadian Universities across the country, as well as Canadian players playing in the NCAA. The first two rounds were broadcast on TSN.ca with host Rod Black. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats, with the league-worst 3-15 record in the 2007 CFL season had several offers for their first-overall selection but kept their pick and chose Saskatchewan Huskies safety Dylan Barker. [cite web|url=http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jpLJxvQFu7By_4t7gCbH3wnAiiig|title=Ticats select Saskatchewan safety Dylan Barker first overall in CFL draft|date=2008-04-30|publisher=Canadian Press|accessdate=2008-04-30] Barker, a native of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan is a two-time Canadian Interuniversity Sport first-team all-Canadian. He led the Huskies with 53 tackles, three interceptions, and four breakups last season. It is expected that he will be able to help the Tiger-Cats in the 2008 CFL season. [cite web|url=http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/postedsports/archive/2008/04/30/cfl-ticats-take-safety-barker-no-1.aspx|title=CFL: Ticats take safety Barker No. 1|last=Bray|first=Jim|date=2008-04-30|publisher=National Post|accessdate=2008-04-30]

Regular Season

The game on September 19 was the first game since the death of former Tiger Cats coach Ron Lancaster. The Ticats wore decals on their helmets for the game with a green number 23. It was Lancaster's number as a player. [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Games/2008/09/19/6821346-cp.html] The stadium stood for a video tribute and a moment of silence before the game began, with his family standing near the sidelines. This was also the Canadian Football Hall of Fame game. This year's inductees included Doug Flutie, Mike (Pinball) Clemons, Mike Pringle, John Bonk and builder Tom Shepherd. The inductees received their jackets and unveiled their bronzed busts during the halftime. [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Games/2008/09/19/6821346-cp.html]

eason Standings

Transactions

*September 9: Winnipeg acquired middle linebacker Zeke (And Destroy) Moreno and a conditional draft pick from Hamilton for its first-round draft pick in 2009 and the rights to Canadian defensive lineman Corey Mace. [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Winnipeg/2008/09/10/6722231-sun.html]

eason Schedule

Rushing

Awards and records

Milestones

References