It's Official---Chase Clement is now a Hamilton Tiger-Cat!

Clement during Pro Day at Rice/Houston Chronicle

This deal was actually done late last week when Chase received the contract, reviewed it, signed it and fedexed it back to the team. However, the official announcement came today that former Rice star quarterback, Chase Clement, is now a member of the CFL's Hamilton Tiger Cats.

Financial terms of the contract were not released. However, it is a two-year deal with an option year.

Clement is enroute from San Antonio to Buffalo. He will travel to his new football home in Hamilton, Ontario later today. However, we had the opportunity to speak with proud dad, Craig Clement. "We're excited for him and he's excited and anxious now. He's got a direction and something he can sink his teeth into and hopefully go up, get involved, and get some playing time---that's the key."

I asked Mr. Clement if he and Mrs. Clement would need a passport to travel from San Antonio to Canada to watch their son play? He said that he and family have had passports for a number a years. In addition, they have friends in most of the CFL cities and family connections in Hamilton. So, it doesn't seem that Chase will have a hard time adjusting.

Speaking of Hamilton, Rookie Camp begins on Thursday and runs through Sunday. Chase will report to camp on Wednesday. He will have to prove himself during that time to the coaching staff and fellow rookie players. However, there will be some comfort level for Clement at the coaching staff level in that the 'Cats Offensive Coordinator, Mike Gibson, is a former Rice University Assistant Athletic Director and Recruiting Coordinator and served in that position for one season. Gibson joined the staff of the 'Cats in 2008 after two seasons as Assistant Head and Offensive line coach of the Saskatchewan Rough Riders.

The two should work together rather well. Familiarity, in most cases, brings out the best in the best and Clement proved that he was one of the best while at Rice and during his days as a college football player. Now, he has the opportunity to prove that he can play at the next level.

This analyst expects Clement to surprise a few people! However, one of the first things to which Clement will have to become accustomed is how the Canadians spell offense and defense...they spell them...offence and defence!&^*(&*(!

We'll keep you posted!

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Want more debate about another Houston Quarterback? Check out this piece from Fred Faour on Vince Young.