O'Neill's signing was made official on Tuesday, but Tasker's has yet to be announced by the team (but if Drew Edwards says it is happening, that is good enough for me).
Tasker’s re-signing is obviously the bigger of the two, as he was the team leader in receptions and yards in 2014, and a key cog of the team that made it all the way to the Grey Cup for a second straight year. The rapport he built with Zach Collaros last season helped in the development of both players, and thinking about what they can do together in 2015 and beyond has fans of the team salivating. He may not be the fastest or the biggest or the strongest, but Tasker has one of the best sets of hands in the league and is never afraid to go across the middle for the tough catch. Tasker has grown each year with the team and, armed with a new contract, could be ready to take the leap to superstardom in 2015.
O'Neill's versatility is what makes his signing so important. As a backup at both centre and guard, and with the ability to start if need be (as demonstrated by his 44 starts over the last three seasons), he is a valuable cog in the machine. At 35, he is nearer the end of his career than the beginning, but he has been a solid player since arriving in Hamilton in 2012 and can continue being a solid contributor for at least the next two seasons.
Hamilton still has plenty of work to do, but getting Tasker’s and O’Neill’s names on new contracts is a good first step towards solidifying the team before the start of free agency.
This has to be massive news for Collaros. Think of what this signing does for his confidence. And if they find a way to stretch the field, Collaros to Tasker for the short to middle range passes will be unstoppable.
ReplyDeleteFinding a receiver to stretch the field would be huge. Banks, if he stays, has the speed to do it, but I'm not sure about his receiving ability. Sinkfield is also pretty darn fast, and maybe a full offseason will help him know the offense better in 2015. Is there anyone out there you think could do the job?
DeleteAnd if they do find the guy that can take the top off a defense, thus making that something teams will be forced to defend, the middle will be wide open for Collaros and Tasker (and Fantuz) to play pitch and catch.
Sorry for the delayed response....
DeleteTo be honest, no one comes to mind quickly with respect to being a deep threat. I have always felt Sinkfield could be that guy based on his speed. But they need to groom him to be that receiver...simply sending him deep a couple times a game isn't going to fool anyone. As far as free agents go...I don't see anyone to fit the role.
To me this is the key to the offense. If they can get the legitimate deep threat in place, it is going to open up the whole offense.