Courtesy Hamilton Spectator:

They’re so sore, so stiff, and so close to making the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

And absolutely none of them want to say ’so long’ come tomorrow or Saturday.

But that’s the reality for a half-dozen prospective Tiger-Cats who have endured blistering heat, lightning strikes, cold, hard rain, coaches’ criticism, blisters, strains, bruises, headaches and muscle pulls since rookie camp began at McMaster University close to a month ago.

Several players are clearly on the bubble. Their fate comes down to their performance tonight at the Rogers Centre against the Toronto Argonauts in their final Canadian Football League pre-season contest. Game time is 7. Play well and the chances of earning a roster spot or even a practice squad invitation increase. Make a mistake, just one, at a pivotal moment, and brace yourself to be invited to Charlie Taaffe’s McMaster office in the next 48 hours to learn about your release.

While Taaffe told The Spec Monday that he would not be releasing players prior to the final exhibition tilt, the head coach obviously changed his mind. The club issued pink slips yesterday morning to six imports including receivers Jonathan Carter and Kelvin Kight, defensive back Chris Johnson, offensive lineman Jonathan Alston and defensive linemen Matt King and Alex Guerrero.

Read More…