DeAngelis is a former Grey Cup MVP, Calgary's Special Teams MOP 5 consecutive years, an astonishing 86% (42 for 49) in 2009, the year before joining the Cats, when he was also named to the Western Conference All-Star team. So what happened?
In yellow, DeAngelis posted a career worst 76.2 field goal percentage. Many factors can effect a kicker's production: holder, injury, weather, playing surface, etc. The latter of these being most important. McMahon stadium in Calgary uses Field Turf, while Ivor Wynne in Hamilton uses a similar product to AstroTurf. Field Turf is very easy to install and plays more like regular grass. Whereas AstroTurf is harder and plays more like a floor, or artificial surface. I can only speculate but I believe this key factor contributed to DeAngelis' struggles in Hamilton.
Why does Toronto like hearing this news?
First off, they no longer have to face Sandro DeAngelis on their biggest rival's team. The problem is, DeAngelis lost his job to former Argo kicker Justin Medlock who was near perfect during his time in Toronto. (A side story, if I may. I remember going to an Argo game watching Medlock warm up on the 40 yard line. He kicked field goal after field goal, perfectly centered everytime, from both hashmarks. Just before the warm-ups finished, he would always turn and shoot for the opposite uprights, many times making those kicks as well. Quite the performance!) Looking down the Argo roster, however, we have 1 kicker/punter signed. Noel Prefontaine.
Make no mistake, Prefontaine is as good a kicker as you get in the CFL. But he has had a history of concussion injuries. Most notably 4 years ago in his first game of the season, an injury that ended his season and his career (for the time being) as an Argo. One wrong hit the wrong way again and we're in trouble.
Mr Barker, why not go after this new free agent?
DeAngelis is a proven All-Star. If something happens to Prefontaine, injury or otherwise, we have a plan B. But wait, wise blogger! DeAngelis' career is finished, he flopped in 2010! Yes, he did, on AstroTurf. The field at Rogers Center is *drumroll* FieldTurf, not unlike that which DeAngelis succeeded on in Calgary. Even if it wasn't the field that made him flop, as is the case sometimes with athletes, it could've been the change of scenery.
Assuming the #1 spot is Prefontaine's to lose, a veteran like DeAngelis would no doubt be an asset on this team. Let's not forget, there's a lot to be said for what a player contributes OFF the field as well as on. With the young team Toronto is building, and the winning resume of DeAngelis, I think it's a gamble worth taking.
Unless of course someone can get a hold of Tie Domi.
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