Steve Milton: Joy and optimism everywhere as Ticats open camp

Hope springs eternal. And on the opening day of training camp in every sport, in every league, on every team, so does confidence. Always some variation of this might be a long year, but it's our year.'

So it's necessary to take the palpable enthusiasm at Sunday's first official workout of the new-look Tiger-Cats with not just a grain of historical salt but with a whole salt lick. There was nobody lined up on the field against them to offer a dissenting opinion.

Still, even at a safe distance from the playing surface at McMaster's Ron Joyce Stadium, you could see some trends emerging: all-time Ticat Simoni Lawrence even more emotionally stimulated, if that's possible, as he comes in healthy after missing nine games with injury last year; the leadership and commitment of a bevy of new big-time starters such as, among several others, left tackle Joel Figueroa, running back James Butler, linebacker Jameer Thurman; and, most graphically, Bo Levi Mitchell, the Ticats' third starting quarterback in three springs, who took obvious, friendly, helpful, but no-nonsense control.

Football means a lot to him," head coach Orlondo Steinauer said after the inaugural 90-minute practice of a team that will have at least nine new starters this year. He's a competitor, he holds people accountable and he wants to be held accountable."

It was an important day for Mitchell who mentioned that he had told his wife Madi that he was saying y'all' instead of we' when talking on the phone to teammates and offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell because he felt he wouldn't earn the right to use we' until he'd been on the ground with his new - to the Ticats or to him - teammates. He's studied film of his receivers, their tendencies, where they like the ball and their catching radii, but not obsessively.

Chemistry-wise I believe you have to build that right here in person," Mitchell said. Chemistry between quarterback and receiver is monumental but it starts with quarterback-centre and the five guys up front, them hearing my voice, being able to jump on the snap, and with James and the other ball carriers."

Butler, the muscular 5-foot-9 fire hydrant with spontaneous acceleration who rushed for over 1,000 BC Lions' yards last year, also focused on an offensive line which stabilized in the final third of the 2022 regular season, the only good third the Ticats had.

Barring injuries it'll be Figueroa and Chris Van Zeyl at tackles with Tyrone Tyler likely in the mix, and solid Canadians Brandon Revenberg, David Beard and Coulter Woodmansey across the middle, with ample backup. Butler was only partially kidding when he noted their collective size, which can impair defences' visual ability to pick him up quickly on his first few steps.

I'm excited about this team," said Butler who praised fellow running back Sean Thomas Erlington for helping him adjust to a new playbook. It's a really great O line. I'm already familiar with Figuero (from BC) and that's huge. He's like a big uncle, always taking care of me.

And Bo commands the huddle."

Butler likes the team's veteran leadership and so does the Supreme Leader of the offence. Mitchell took care to centre out Lawrence.

I've only played Simoni on the field, but that guy is an amazing teammate," says Mitchell. Just to hear the way these guys talk, with the culture that's been built here by O and his staff."

Talented-but-under-used-last-year sophomore Canadian receiver Kiondre Smith, who has worked out all spring with Mitchell at Tim Hortons Field and a Toronto-area private academy says, I love Bo. He's a great guy and I love his mindset."

Training camp is always framed by the giddiness of winter's final exit, but the first day also has a darker side. It's impossible to ignore those who aren't here after several years as integral parts of the landscape. Lawrence, the longest continuously-serving Ticat (since 2013), is without longtime teammates Jumal Rolle, Cariel Brooks, Julian Howsare, Dane Evans, Bralon Addison, Wes Hills and Don Jackson.

But - do the math - he's already seen the roster turn over completely, and more.

I could never have imagined being on a team with (former Argo defensive back) Chris Edwards. He's here now and I love the guy," he said in recognition of the business that rules a game. We have to communicate on every play, our lockers are next to each other. It's fun, just like learning people.

That's the thing about professional football, we're all robbing the same train."

Notes: The Ticats suspended DE Ja'Gared Davis and K Seth Small for not arriving in camp on but Orlondo Steinauer said it's not an issue," that Small had a family matter, and that both players would be here soon.

Steve Milton is a Hamilton-based sports columnist at The Spectator. Reach him via email: smilton@thespec.com