Will the Ja’Gared Davis effect be a charm for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats?
Ja’Gared Davis has been in Hamilton before. In fact he was with them for their 2019 and 2021 East Division Champion campaigns. Meaning he appeared in their 107th and 108th Grey Cup losses to Winnipeg.
Which might leave you wondering, – what is this so called Ja’Gared Davis effect if Hamilton weren’t picking up any titles with him in the team? But here’s the thing – they were in those Grey Cup games. And so far Davis’ CFL career has been a charm when it comes to reaching the Grey Cup.
After a nomadic journey around the NFL he first arrived in the CFL in 2016. There he joined a Calgary Stampeders team primed for success. In the years he was with the Stamps (2016-2018) they went 41-11-2 and appeared in three consective Grey Cup games.
As successful as they were though they may well be remembered for losing two of the best title games of the decade in startling upsets in 2016 & 2017. However the Stamps won it all in 2018 and Davis got his first championship in the league.
He is also a current champion. Because he spent the past season with the Toronto Argonauts. As the 11-7 Boatmen overcame the 15-3 Blue Bombers 24-23 to take home the title.
Davis Effect matters to the hosts
The Ja’Gared Davis effect is simple. Every year he has been in the league he has made it to the Grey Cup game. With Calgary, Hamilton and Toronto.
Some key stats from that run:
Calgary: 104th Grey Cup: Had a tackle and a sack in 39-33 overtime loss; 105th Grey Cup: Recorded 1 tackle in 27-24 loss; 106th Grey Cup: Had 1 tackle in 27-16 win.
Hamilton: 107th Grey Cup: Had 5 tackles in 33-12 loss; 108th Grey Cup: Had a tackle and a sack in 33-25 overtime loss.
Toronto: 109th Grey Cup: Had a tackle in 24-23 win.
None of this takes into account the stats he recorded over the seasons leading to these games or in other playoff games. But what it does show is the remarkable consistency of the Ja’Gared Davis effect in the CFL.
In six active CFL seasons he has played on teams with a combined record of 75-29-2 and made six consecutive Grey Cup appearances (with 2 wins).
But why does this matter so much in Hamilton? They may have made some splashes in Free Agency. While their headline signing has been at quarterback. But the Grey Cup is in Hamilton again this year. So if any Ticats fans were looking for a sign their team would be in the big game they will be hoping there is something in the idea of the Ja’Gared Davis effect.
Perhaps signing this particular Defensive End is like nailing a horsehoe above your door for luck. Of course whether you believe in the effect is another matter. As ever, it will be great fun to see how it all plays out on the field across the next CFL season.
Banner image: Davis is back in black and gold for the upcomig season with the Ticats. Image from CFL.ca