Talk softly, carry a big stick and pass the buns please

The problem it seems with "off the cuff remarks" is that sometimes perhaps they need to be a little further thought out before making it into the conversation.

Tiger Cat President Scott Mitchell is finding that out today, after he apparently suggested that should the ever confusing on again. off again stadium project for Hamilton fall off the rails, the the Tiger Cats would be calling Ottawa home.

Ottawa Citizen-- Ti-Cats could move to Ottawa: team president

A suggestion which travelled far beyond the Hamilton luncheon where Mitchell was doing his off the cuff thinking.

And while it's true that should things once again go awry in Hamilton then the Cats will need a new home, we're not so sure the CFL will be thrilled about moving the Cats into their first expansion site in recent years.

Especially since it would seem to under cut their new partners in Ottawa, and not to mention the fact that Ottawa at the moment is going through its own march of the damned discussions on stadium projects, though it would seem that Ottawa at least have agreed that a new stadium (or rejuvenated Frank Clair stadium) is something worth pursuing.

And while perhaps the residents of Ottawa might welcome a ready to go franchise on their door step, from the side of the table of the expansion rights holders having all their work go for naught probably wouldn't leave  a very good taste in the mouths of those that might have the most potential to make such a franchise work.

One of the many problems the CFL has had in the last few trips into the capital has been the nature of ownership, that being out of town owners thinking they know the Ottawa market. With the current roster of investors in the expansion franchise project that issue has been resolved, we're not sure a Tiger Cat relocation would be the best thing for long term stability in the city.

Beyond that, this constant drum beat that we may have to leave is probably growing a little old in Hamilton.

So It would seem that a little Steel town damage control will be in order today, the image of the Tiger Cats somewhat tarnished over the last few months in the loud rhetoric over the Hamilton stadium situation.

But with the goal on the horizon it seemed like a strange time to pull out a big stick to make a point.

Especially when the Tiger Cats may not even have been certain if a franchise shift to Ottawa would have been approved by the league considering the investment thus far in the expansion plans.

Sometimes when it comes to luncheon meetings, the best topics of conversation should be left to pass the butter and the chicken tastes pretty good today.