Scrappy players already warming up their chirps

The hype is already starting to build for the CFL season opener at BMO Field, and it’s still more than two months away.

Members of the Argonauts and Tiger-Cats who took part in this week’s CFL media sessions got the talk going early.

“There’s been a lot of chirping, especially with the Ticat guys,” said defensive tackle Bryan Hall, who went from the Tabbies to the Boatmen via free agency in February.

“I saw Speedy (Brandon Banks) down there. I told him he’s washed up. I saw (Luke) Tasker. I told him he’d never be Steve. Zach (Collaros), you know, he won’t be back this year. Simoni (Lawrence), I never liked him. I could go on and on.”

The Ticats didn’t offer Hall a new contract, a rejection he added to the list of negatives that motivate him to play well. Football players commonly refer to it as having a chip on their shoulder.

“I got a whole bag. Family-sized. All dressed. They just keep stacking. I have a (boat) load of chips.”

Asked if they get heavy, Hall responded: “Naw. That’s what I hit with, my shoulder. They’re going to feel all those chips June 23rd. You can believe that.”

MEANWHILE, IN THE HAMMER ...

Receiver Chad Owens is still getting used to playing for the Ticats this season after six with the Argos.

“It’s an adjustment,” Owens said. “It’s one that was hard at first. Not hard because I’m a Ticat, because I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to it… .

“I’m OK now. I’m good, but you think about it at times and it’s like, oh man. I’m human.”

Sources say the Argos didn’t offer a contract to Owens, the CFL’s most outstanding player in 2012, so you can bet he’ll be fired up to play at BMO on opening night as well.

LATE HIT

Roughriders defensive end Shawn Lemon had this review of the CFL’s new Adidas uniforms, which will be unveiled May 12 in Montreal: “B.C. won. B.C. by far has the best uniforms. They’re slick. They’re nice.”