Inside the CFL: Bo don’t know yet, Hamilton hoping he does real soon

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on June 22, 2023.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

The most hyped signing during the CFL off-season was that of sure Hall-of-Famer quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Bo had been benched last August by Calgary coach Dave Dickenson, even though the Stamps were 4-2 and his numbers were good. When I asked former great QB Matt Dunigan why he thought Bo had been benched, he replied, “A quarterback has to make those around him better. Bo’s not doing that.”

So the 25-year-old Jake Maier took over and Mitchell later became a free agent.

I talked to him on June 13. Why did he choose Hamilton?

“I looked at the coaching staff, what (offensive coordinator) Tommy Condell liked to do. I liked the fact players wanted to play there. Everyone was committed to being better.”

The Cats loaded up on other free agents including receiver Duke Williams and running back James Butler. They strengthened their defence by luring linebacker Jameer Thurman from Calgary. As hosts of the 2023 Grey Cup, the Cats want to be in it. An outstanding quarterback is essential to the plan. They wanted Bo while the Stamps did not.

What would his new teammates expect from him?

“Players expect leadership on the field, off the field, in the film room. They expect me to be confident and in charge. They expect consistency.”

So far he has been consistently mediocre.

When Bo limped off the field five minutes into the fourth quarter, he had completed 16 of 24 passes for 158 yards, no TDs, two interceptions. The picks came in the Argo end zone after two long drives, the first, trying to throw the ball away, the second into coverage. Against the Bombers in Week 1 he was 17/33, 197 yards, 1 TD, 2 interceptions. Those totals are below par for the CFL.

In Bo’s defence he had only a handful of reps in the first preseason game and none at all in their last exhibition contest. Here you have a new quarterback with a new offence and receivers. How is he able to get his timing down if he doesn’t play during the preseason?

Blame top Tabby tamer Orlondo Steinhauer. This is the third straight year his team has opened the schedule with consecutive defeats. It’s the way he runs training camp. Mike O’Shea gave Zach Collaros more preseason playing time than Bo got with his new team.

Citing a lower-body injury, Steinhauer announced Tuesday that Mitchell would not start Friday in the home opener against Montreal. Matthew Shiltz would get the nod. He gave no indication of “how long or short” Mitchell would be out. But Bo will be dressed as the backup. If he was seriously hurt, Hamilton would have placed him on the injury list. The fact they didn’t leaves me to believe Steinhauer is using the hit Bo absorbed as an excuse to give the ball to Shiltz. Bo is getting the big money. If he’s healthy they have to play him.

Bo had shoulder problems in Calgary but he has been healthy since 2021. If Hamilton thought he was a serious injury risk they wouldn’t have signed him. Bo told me he was fine and I have always found him to be straight forward and honest. He is also Texas tough and played through injuries on several occasions during his 11-year pro career. He’s a gamer.

When I asked him if he would be less likely to play through injuries at this stage of his career, he replied, “No, not at all. Everybody plays through injuries. I’m feeling really good and ready to play the best I can.”

The bigger question is his career status. To borrow from Yogi Berra, “Is this deja vu all over again?” A repeat of last summer in Calgary?

Weeks ago everything was sweetness and light. He and his wife Madison and two children looked forward to a new beginning in Hamilton. A good community man, he lived year-round in Calgary and expected to put down similar roots in the Golden Horseshoe.

I asked what the most important lesson he has learned as a quarterback.

“That there will be ups and downs, how to handle that and be consistent. Not everything is going to go your way but better days are ahead.”

We shall see.

Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 51 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.