Former Lions operating again James Butler will face the one crew he hasn’t performed within the CFL — B.C. — when he makes his first return to the Dome as a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
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James Butler needs to be Fb well-known. Amongst household, no less than.
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After his 114-yard, one landing efficiency for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats acquired him on the CFL’s Week 11 Honour Roll, his mother made positive to put up the accomplishment on social media. And he’d love nothing greater than to offer her extra Fb content material after he visits B.C. Place on Saturday for his first sport in opposition to the crew he broke into the CFL with.
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“That’s all the time my largest factor each week. If my mother may put up it on Fb, I do know I performed fairly effectively,” he stated with amusing on Wednesday. “If my mother, my aunties, my cousins are all reposting the put up that my mother placed on Fb, then I did my job.”
He’s been filling the job description of No. 1 tailback for Hamilton, rating sixth within the speeding race with 520 yards and a CFL-best 5 speeding touchdowns by means of 9 video games.
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Butler left B.C. within the low season for greener pastures — with ‘inexperienced’ being the operative phrase. Hamilton’s reported two-year supply of $125,000 per season was far in extra of something the Lions may afford, they usually reluctantly let their 1,000-yard operating again go.
Shut buddy Jameer Thurman joined him from the Calgary Stampeders, and B.C. left deal with Joel Figueroa additionally went to Hamilton, however gained’t journey Saturday, as he’s on the six-game injured listing.
NEXT GAME
Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. B.C. Lions
Saturday, 4 p.m., B.C. Place
TV: TSN. Radio: AM730
The transfer additionally introduced the Chicago native nearer to house — the Windy Metropolis is however a mere seven-hour drive away — and being in Hamilton has a much more acquainted really feel than the West Coast vibes of Vancouver.
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“I prefer it. It’s cool,” stated the 28-year-old Butler. “It type of jogs my memory of house, being a Midwest man. It’s slightly dirty, gritty, which I like, and clearly the fan base is super-cool; they usually’ve welcomed me with open arms.”
Butler had 1,060 yards speeding final season, second-most within the CFL, and is on tempo to interrupt the four-digit threshold once more this season. However general, the outcomes simply haven’t been there for the Ticats in 2023.
They misplaced, then regained, then misplaced beginning quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell to damage, and have been platooning Matthew Shiltz and Taylor Powell beneath centre — neither of whom are within the high 10 of CFL passers. After shedding their first three video games, the Ticats gained two straight, then swooned to drop in 4 of their final 5, together with a 24-10 defeat by the hands of the previously winless Edmonton Elks final week.
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That loss at house was the primary for the reason that Ticats — who’re averaging the second-fewest factors within the CFL — parted methods with assistant head coach and offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell. Scott Milanovich was elevated to take over the play-calling duties. However even Butler’s second large triple-digit sport of the season couldn’t assist Hamilton keep away from their second straight house loss.
“It’s simply your regular ebbs-and-flows of a brand new crew,” stated Butler. “A variety of new guys, a variety of new faces. This complete crew was type of model new after we acquired right here, and we’re like figuring one another out as we go. … And I promise, it’s not about the way you begin, it’s the way you end. We nonetheless are within the thick of it at this level within the season; all the pieces we would like continues to be forward of us.”
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The Saskatchewan Roughriders had misplaced 4 of their earlier 5 video games earlier than they beat B.C. final week, so Leos coach Rick Campbell isn’t listening to the exterior chatter portray the Ticats as pussycats.
“Once you watch movie on this league, each crew is succesful. Clearly there’s some groups that don’t have the file they need, however there’s no unhealthy crew the place you throw on the movie and say, ‘Effectively, these guys simply don’t look good or they don’t have good gamers.’ That’s not the case,” he stated. “You need to play effectively to beat individuals on this league.”
The Ticats (3-6) haven’t been to B.C. Place since July 21, 2022, after they misplaced 17-12. The Lions (7-3) haven’t tasted defeat on the Dome this 12 months, and don’t plan to this weekend both.
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“On the finish of the day, they’re knowledgeable crew. They acquired James Butler … and you understand how J.B. goes to come back in. He’s going to wish to run the ball,” stated Lions nook Garry Peters. “They acquired a variety of good weapons across the quarterback, so we’re not going to take them calmly. It’s a giant problem; we wish to come out and make a press release.”
Butler’s yardage complete has come it despite the Ticats rating final in speeding makes an attempt (144) and averaging the second-fewest yards per sport (82.6). And he’ll be going through a defence that’s conceding the fewest factors, internet offence and second-fewest speeding yards, however these are simply numbers to Butler — similar to his former buddies shall be throughout the road of scrimmage.
“I’m super-excited to come back again. These are my brothers, for positive,” he stated. “Clearly this week, these guys are jersey numbers, similar to at any time when I’d play Jameer in Calgary. That’s my canine, 16 out of 18 weeks. That week, he’s No. 56 on Calgary. So similar to this week, it’s No. 20 on B.C., No. 2 on B.C.
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“I’ll attempt to not make it extra emotional than what it must be. It’s simply my tenth sport in opposition to a anonymous, faceless opponent. I’m all the time making an attempt to not make any sport greater than what it’s.
“These guys are nice gamers; they’re balling and flying round. They’ve been shutting a variety of guys down, so I’m simply excited to see how I match up truthfully.”
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