Hamilton Tiger-Cats kicker Maher undeterred after missing three field goal tries

HAMILTON – Brett Maher is a creature of habit.

The Hamilton kicker-punter is quick to fall into his weekly routine regardless of how he fares on the football field. So after missing three field goals in the Tiger-Cats’ 28-3 home loss to B.C. on Friday, his approach this week was no different than after his solid debut in the club’s season-opening 42-20 road win over arch-rival Toronto.

“The most important kick is the next one,” Maher said following Tuesday’s practice at Tim Hortons Field. “My focus this week has been getting back to what I do, trusting what I do and believing in what I do and what we do as a team and special-teams group.”

Maher and the Ticats won’t have long to dwell on the B.C. loss. Hamilton (1-1) hosts the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (0-2) on Thursday night and Maher will again be a key figure for the home team because he handles all three kicking jobs — punts, field goals and kickoffs.

But Maher didn’t spend time refining his kicking mechanics before the game. Instead, the 26-year-old worked on the mental aspects of his game.

“I’d say it’s more a mental job than physical job especially once you get to this level,” Maher said. “There’s a lot of guys who are very talented and can kick it a long ways and kick it straight most of the time in practice.

“But it’s the games that are most important. Being able to take what you practise and apply it in the game and keep the same mindset is very important.”

This isn’t the first time the Nebraska native had to deal with adversity as a pro. Undrafted following his college career at Nebraska, Maher was released by both the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys before signing with Winnipeg in 2014.

Shortly after being let go by the Bombers, the six-foot, 186-pound Maher caught on with the expansion Ottawa Redblacks. But he was released in 2015 before signing with Hamilton.

Maher was outstanding against Toronto, booting four converts and four field goals. He also excelled as a punter, often pinning the Argos deep in their zone.

But Maher missed field goal tries from 36, 48 and 42 yards versus B.C. The 48-yard attempt was into the wind and gave the Ticats nothing after a 65-yard, 12-play drive with 2:53 left in the opening half.

However Kent Austin, Hamilton’s head coach and vice-president of football operations, said Maher won’t be the only Ticat looking for an improved effort Thursday against Winnipeg.

“We have a lot of guys that need to bounce back and play well this week,” he said. “Brett’s a pretty strong-minded individual.

“I think he’s pretty confident, I’m sure he’ll bounce back.”

Maher is anxious for that shot at redemption.

“Everyone you’re playing against is a professional as well so you’re going to have games that don’t necessarily go your way,” he said. “It’s about how you respond to stuff like that and I think that tells more about who you are.

“It’s easy to be all happy and jolly and work hard when things are going well. As a team and as a special-teams unit we’re excited to get back out there on the field and get that taste out of that mouth.”

But that will mean getting the upper hand on Mother Nature as kickers at Tim Hortons Field have to deal with windy conditions.

Maher said that’s something he’s had to overcome since his days in Nebraska.

“It’s not something that’s foreign to me,” he said. “Honestly, it’s a situation I relish.

“It gives you a chance to show why you can be different than everyone else if you can handle situations like that. As a team and special-teams unit we’re excited to get back out there on the field and get that taste out of our mouth.”