Ozzie calls it a day, Marshall says take a few more!

Mixed messages early in the day at the Ti-cat camp gave way to a final declaration, as kicker Paul Osbaldiston has decided to hang up the cleats. After having a terrible first half of football on Sunday, Osbaldiston left the team at half time. Apparently feeling that he just can’t do the job anymore, Osbaldiston gave back up kicker Jason Currie a hug, took off his uniform and left the stadium.

The game Sunday was not Ozzies finest hour, he kicked twice for less than 25 yards, leaving the Ti Cat defence in terrible holes. Missing a 33 yard field goal Osbalidiston heard from the crowd which expressed displeasure at the state of the Ti Cat kicking game. Feeling that he could no longer do the job he simply walked away and was put on the suspended list. Something that head coach Greg Marshall described as a league formality.

Marshal took the high road in the situation when he offered the fourty year old Osbaldiston a couple of days to ponder his future without any pressure from the Ti-Cat staff. Plagued by a recurring thigh injury the last few years Ozzie has seen his output dramatically decline over that period, the low point obviously Sunday afternoon.

Marshall by handling the situation this way is sending a positive message to not only Ozzie, but his team mates giving the long time CFL veteran a chance to step aside with a bit of dignity rather than with the sound of the fans booing his every move. Over his 18 years he has provided the Ti Cats and the CFL with some amazing feats in the kicking game, short memories in the stands should keep that in mind. However, football is a competitive game and the simple truth is a punter that only can move the ball 25 yards and misses field goal attempts is not going to be providing much of an edge.

With his mind all but made, he'll now have the chance to pass the kicking torch on to a younger leg. He plans on addressing his Ti Cat team mates personally on Wednesday to say his farewells and let them know the situation personally. He also feels he owes a debt to the Hamilton fans who as he says have been very kind over the years.

Having handled this situation the way he has, can only help Marshall in finding respect in the Ti Cat dressing room. What could have degenerated into an ugly departure from a hard working vet, will instead leave him with a chance to take his leave with his head up high. Team spirit can only find fertile soil in a place that provides that kind of atmosphere.