Casey Printers

Infobox CFL player
Name=Casey Printers
team=Hamilton Tiger-Cats


Caption=
Color=black
fontcolor=D4AF37
DateOfBirth=birth date and age|1981|5|16
Birthplace=flagicon|USA DeSoto, Texas, U.S.
Position=Quarterback
College=TCU Florida A&M
Awards=1999 Mobile Alabama Bowl MVP 2004 CFL Most Outstanding Player
CFLAllStar=2004
years=2003-2005 2006 2007-"present"
teams=BC Lions (CFL) Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL)
CBS=1102787

Casey J. Printers (born May 16, 1981)cite web | url = http://www.kcchiefs.com/player/casey_printers/ | accessdate = 2006-08-04 | title = Casey Printers #7 | publisher = KCChiefs.com] is a professional American football and Canadian football player from Texas. Currently, he is the starting quarterback with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. He played college football at Texas Christian University from 1999 to 2001, leading his team to three straight bowl games, before transferring to Florida A&M for his senior year. After college, he signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, where he rose from third-string quarterback in 2003 to be named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2004 season, leading the Lions toward an appearance in the 92nd Grey Cup after starter Dave Dickenson was injured early in the season. However, Printers was injured late in the West Division Final, and Dickenson, having recovered and shared starting duties with Printers late in the season, stepped in and threw a touchdown pass in the Lions' overtime win. Dickenson started and played the entire Grey Cup game, which the Lions lost to the Toronto Argonauts.

Printers was nagged by injuries during the 2005 season, and was embroiled in a quarterback controversy with Dickenson.cite web | url = http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story/?ID=150333 | accessdate = 2006-08-04 | title = So long, B.C.: Printers signs with Chiefs | author = Canadian Press with TSN files | publisher = TSN.ca | date = 2006-01-12] Ultimately, the Lions bowed out in the playoffs with Dickenson taking the large majority of playing time. Having turned down a three year, $1 million contract extension from the Lions prior to the 2005 season,cite web | url = http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story/?ID=117102 | accessdate = 2006-08-04 | title = Printers still walking in cast | author = TSN.ca staff | publisher = TSN.ca | date = 2005-03-04] Printers turned down a three year, $1.2 million (CAD) offer from the Lions in January 2006, opting to sign a three year, $1.03 million (USD) deal with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. Printers struggled in spot duty for the Chiefs' in the 2006 NFL pre-season, and did not see any regular season playing time, spending most of the season on the practice roster.

Early years

Born in DeSoto, Texas, Printers played football from a young age, a highlight being a trip to the Pop Warner National Championship in San Francisco, California with his team, the Oak Cliff Jets, when he was twelve years old.Cite web|url=http://www.casey-printers.com/bio.htm|title=Casey Printers bio|accessdate=2006-12-03|publisher=Casey-printers.com]

College career

Printers played collegiately at Texas Christian University from 1999 to 2001, leading the TCU Horned Frogs to back-to-back Western Athletic Conference championships in 1999 and 2000 and three straight bowl games, including back-to-back appearances in the Mobile Alabama Bowl in 1999 and 2000. Printers was named Most Valuable Player in the Frogs' 1999 bowl victory and was subsequently named Freshman of the Year for 1999 by the Dallas Morning News and third-team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News. In 2000, he received honorable mention as an All-WAC Conference Selection.Cite web|url=http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/tcu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/m-footbl-history.pdf|title=Casey Printers bio|accessdate=2006-12-03|publisher=Texas Christian University Football|year=2006|title=TCU Football History|work=TCU Football Media Guide|format=PDF] The 1999 and 2000 Horned Frogs, coached by Dennis Franchione, also featured Heisman Trophy candidate and future NFL star LaDainian Tomlinson at running back. In 2001, Printers led the Horned Frogs to a 6-6 record and an appearance in the galleryfurniture.com Bowl, where Printers was 15-30 for 144 yards and 4 interceptions in the 28-9 loss. Printers' 4,621 passing yards and 37 touchdown passes each rank third in TCU history. He transferred to Florida A&M for his senior year (2002), where he led the Rattlers to a 7-5 record, completing 123 of 218 passes for 1,517 yards with 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions and rushing for 3 touchdowns.

Professional career

British Columbia Lions

After going undrafted in the 2002 NFL Draft, Printers joined the British Columbia Lions for the 2003 CFL season on a three year contract as their third-string quarterback, and saw little playing time, attempting only two passes.cite web | url = http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=roster&func=display&ros_id=273 | accessdate = 2006-08-04 | title = Casey Printers #1 | publisher = CFL.ca] During the 2004 season, he unseated Spergon Wynn as backup quarterback and replaced starter Dave Dickenson when Dickenson went down with an injury. After completing 325 of 494 pass attempts for 5,088 yards and 35 touchdowns with 10 interceptions and rushing for 469 yards and 9 touchdowns,cite web | url = http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=fbstats&func=rushing&year=2004 | accessdate = 2006-08-04 | title = 2004 Rushing statistics | publisher = CFL.ca] he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2004 season, becoming known as a dynamic quarterback able to improvise and make big plays both passing and rushing. He played a key role in the Lions' eight game winning streak, 13-5 record, and first place finish in the West Division standings. His 35 passing touchdowns and 10.3 yards-per-pass average led the league; he tied Edmonton's Jason Maas for a league-best 65.8 completion percentage,cite web | url = http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=fbstats&func=passing&year=2004 | accessdate = 2006-08-04 | title = 2004 Passing Statistics | publisher = CFL.ca] and his rushing stats were best among QBs.

In the West Division Final against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Printers was forced to leave the game with a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter, with the score tied 14-14. Dickenson, having recovered from knee surgery and shared quarterbacking duties with Printers late in the season, played the rest of the game and threw a touchdown pass in the Lions' 27-24 overtime victory.cite web | url = http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story/?ID=104655 | accessdate = 2006-08-04 | title = O'Mahony kicks Lions into Grey Cup | author = Canadian Press | publisher = TSN.ca | date = 2004-11-14] Dickenson would start and play the entire Grey Cup game against the Toronto Argonauts, which the Lions lost by a score of 27-19.

Printers had surgery on his right hallux in the offseason, and turned down a three year, $1 million contract extension from the Lions. With Printers recovering, Dickenson won the starting job and led the team to an 11-0 start. Printers took over as starter after Dickenson was injured in the 13th game. After the 11-0 start, the Lions lost six of their last seven regular season games, including the regular season finale against the Roughriders, in which Dickenson returned and replaced Printers in the second half.cite web | url = http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=newser&func=display&topicnum=&nid=8316&writer=0 | accessdate = 2006-10-30 | title = BC Quarterback Controversy Put to Rest | author = Ed Willes | publisher = Vancouver Province | date = 2005-05-23] Dickenson started and played all but the last three minutes of the West Division Final against the Edmonton Eskimos, which the Lions lost 28-23.Cite web|url=http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=newser&func=display&topicnum=&nid=6781&writer=0|title='I did everything I could'|accessdate=2006-11-14|publisher=The Vancouver Sun|date=2005-11-21|author=Ian Walker]

Throughout the 2005 season Printers was embroiled in a quarterback controversy with Dickenson over who should start as pivot and was nagged by shoulder and toe injuries. Ultimately, Printers saw relatively little playing time, completing 131 of 216 pass attempts for 1671 yards, 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, with 336 yards rushing and 2 rushing TDs.cite web | url = http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=fbstats&func=rushing&year=2005 | accessdate = 2006-08-10 | title = 2005 Rushing Statistics | publisher = CFL.ca] In January 2006, he turned down a three year, $1.2 million (CAD) offer from the Lions, opting to sign a three year, $1.03 million (USD) deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas City Chiefs

Printers was expected to compete with Chiefs 2006 draft pick Brodie Croyle for a backup quarterback position,Cite web|url=http://www.kctv5.com/Global/story.asp?S=4905681|title=Printers, Croyle Battle For Shot At Being Chiefs QB Of The Future|accessdate=2006-12-03|publisher=Associated Press|year=2006-05-15|author=Doug Tucker] but struggled in his preseason debut in the second quarter of an August 12, 2006 game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium.Cite web|url=http://gigablast.com/get?d=235354197230|title=Tough NFL debut for Printers, former CFL quarterback|accessdate=2006-12-03|publisher=Kansas City Star|year=2006-08-13|author=Adam Teicher] In limited action in the Chiefs' four pre-season games, Printers completed 12 of 23 pass attempts for 109 yards with one interception and rushed 5 times for 20 yards.Statistics compiled from the following NFL gamebooks: [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/gamebook/NFL_20060812_KC@HOU Chiefs @ Texans 2006-08-12] [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/gamebook/NFL_20060817_KC@NYG Chiefs @ Giants 2006-08-17] [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/gamebook/NFL_20060826_STL@KC Rams @ Chiefs 2006-08-26] [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/gamebook/NFL_20060831_NO@KC Saints @ Chiefs 2006-08-31] Retrieved on 2006-12-03. ] He was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs on September 2, 2006, prior to the start of the regular season. [Cite web|url=http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2006/09/02/chiefs_announce_several_roster_moves_to_reach_53man_limit2/|title=Chiefs Announce Several Roster Moves to Reach 53-man Limit|accessdate=2006-11-14|publisher=KCChiefs.com|date=09-02-2006] He was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad on September 4, 2006. [Cite web|url=http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2006/09/04/chiefs_designate_eight_players_to_practice_squad/|title=Chiefs Designate Eight Players to Practice Squad|accessdate=2006-11-14|publisher=KCChiefs.com|date=09-04-2006] On October 28, 2006, he was signed to the Chiefs' 53-man roster.Cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2642292&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines|title=Chiefs sign QB Printers, Huard game-time decision|accessdate=2006-11-14|publisher=ESPN.com|date=2006-10-29|author=Len Pasquarelli] After being demoted to the practice roster once again,Cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=efe95854-cc2b-43d9-a265-d119718d4fe6|title=Shivers in town to follow team he built to the end|accessdate=2006-11-14|publisher=The Province|date=2006-11-12|author=Lowell Ullrich] he travelled to Vancouver and attended the November 12 BC Lions West Division Final playoff game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at BC Place, but was barred from the sidelines by Lions head coach Wally Buono. The Lions won the game 45-18 with Dave Dickenson at quarterback.Cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=efe95854-cc2b-43d9-a265-d119718d4fe6|title=Lions' Dave Dickenson dominates game|accessdate=2006-11-14|publisher=The Province|date=2006-11-13|author=Lowell Ullrich] In late November 2006, the Toronto Argonauts expressed an interest in negotatiating a contract with him, although he was still under contract to the Chiefs and the BC Lions still owned his CFL rights.Cite web|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/Sports/Football/2006/11/29/2545359-sun.html|title=Argos chase Printers|accessdate=2006-12-03|publisher=Edmonton Sun|year=2006-11-29|author=Rob Longley] Cite web|url=http://torontosun.com/Sports/Football/2006/11/29/2545548-sun.html|title=Printers on horizon for Argos?|accessdate=2006-12-03|publisher=Toronto Sun|year=2006-11-29|author=Rob Longley] Cite web|url=http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story/?ID=186390|title=Report: Argos have eye on Printers|accessdate=2006-12-03|publisher=TSN.ca|year=2006-11-29|author=TSN.ca staff] On December 31, 2006, Printers signed a three year deal with the Chiefs and was promoted to the active roster.Cite web|url=http://www.tsn.ca/nfl/news_story/?ID=190448|title=Printers agrees to 3-year deal with Chiefs|accessdate=2007-01-11|publisher=TSN.ca|year=2006-12-31|author=TSN.ca Staff]

Printers was released by the Chiefs on September 1, 2007. His conversation with Chiefs Director of Player Personnel Ray Farmer was documented on episode 5 of HBO's "" series. Printers said that his release was "unbelievable," especially since he had done everything asked of him during training camp. Printers was replaced by Quarterback Tyler Thigpen.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Printers signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on September 6, 2007 for a reported $500,000 a season, making him the highest paid player in the CFL.

Records

Printers holds the CFL record for single-game completion percentage, set with the BC Lions in a 49-11 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ivor Wynne Stadium on August 13, 2004. Printers completed 20 of 22 passes (90.9%) for 303 yards, including four touchdowns to slotback Geroy Simon.cite web | url = http://www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2004/08/13/Sports/lionscatspost040813.html | accessdate = 2006-08-04 | title = Lions destroy Ticats | author = CBC Sports | publisher = CBC.ca | date = 2004-08-13] Simon's four TD catches also tied a team record.cite web | url = http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story/?ID=94759 | accessdate = 2006-08-04 | title = Printers, Simon team up to tame Ticats | author = Canadian Press | publisher = TSN.ca | date = 2004-08-04] As the Lions' starting quarterback for most of the 2004 season, Printers was also instrumental in Geroy Simon's league-best 14 touchdown receptions and league-best 1750 receiving yards,cite web | url = http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=fbstats&func=receiving&year=2004 | accessdate = 2004-08-04 | title = 2004 Receiving Statistics | publisher = CFL.ca] which broke the Lions' club record for receiving yards in a season.cite web | url = http://www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2006/05/25/simon-contract.html | accessdate = 2006-08-04 | title = Simon signs extension with Lions | author = CBC Sports | publisher = CBC.ca | date = 2005-05-25] The previous record was 1731 yards, set by Darren Flutie in 1994.cite web | url = http://www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2004/10/22/Sports/stampeders-lions041022.html | accessdate = 2006-08-04 | title = Simon nears Lions' receiving mark | author = CBC Sports | publisher = CBC.ca | date = 2004-10-22]

Personal

Printers is single and lives in Sugar Land, Texas. His favorite player while growing up was Warren Moon.

References

External links

* [http://www.ticats.ca/index.php?module=roster&func=display&ros_id=273 Casey Printer's Offical Team "TiCats.ca" bio]