Jun
Ticats unload 14
Courtesy Hamilton Spectator:
Marcel Bellefeuille looks tired. After three weeks of training camp, two pre-season games and one sleepless night — not to mention countless hours reviewing tape and meeting with coaches — the Ticat head coach had the unenviable job of delivering the bad news to the players he was sending home.
“It was a difficult process for some of them and for myself. It’s never easy telling someone their dream is over,” said the head coach yesterday after the team announced its roster decisions. “I’ve been cut as a football player, too, and I know what it’s like. It’s not a lot of fun.”
Some notable names, including free-agent pickup Brandon Guillory, former first-round draft pick J.P. Bekasiak and receiver Eddie Cohen, were sent packing.
“It was a very challenging process which is a good thing, it means your football team is getting better,” Bellefeuille added.
Seven players were also moved to the injured list, including supplementary draft pick Zac Carlson, wide receiver David Ball and quarterback Jason Boltus. And the decisions making isn’t done yet. From the remaining players, a 46-man active roster must be formed, along with a seven-player practice squad. And the team could still add players cut from another team.
“Our scouting department is still looking at pre-season tape from other teams to see if there’s anyone there who might help us,” Bellefeuille said.
Of those going home, the biggest surprise was defensive end Guillory who signed in the off-season after picking up six sacks in nine games with Edmonton last season.
“Guillory is a good football player and I’m sure he’ll end up on another team’s roster by the end of the season. But there were players that performed at a higher level in training camp,” said the coach.
Bekasiak, drafted fourth overall by the Canadian Football League club in 2007, was converted to an offensive lineman last season before shifting back to his natural position at defensive tackle after the team drafted three offensive linemen this spring.
“It was a very challenging decision because (Bekasiak) has some talent and he has some upside and he’s a good person. Unfortunately, someone else came out ahead,” Bellefeuille said.
Among those still standing were five players taken in this year’s CFL draft. Offensive lineman Simeon Rottier, fullback Darcy Brown, defensive lineman Scott McCuaig, running back Guillaume Allard-Cameus and defensive back Raymond Wladichuk are all still on the roster.
“We had the flexibility this year because we brought in some veteran-type players through trades and free agency that we could add some young players,” Bellefeuille said.
The news — good or bad — was delivered by Bellefeuille over the past couple of days.
“I met with every player on the team and made a point to explain to everyone what I thought their roles would be and how things came out, both positive and negative.”
After finishing 3-15 in each of the last two seasons, Bellefeuille said improving the roster is a necessity and that means change.
“The one thing we talked about was the players who performed the best were going to come out of camp and we tried to hold true to our word,” he said.
Ticat players released yesterday
DL, J.P. Bekasiak
DB, Carlton Brown
LB, Matt Castelo
WR, Eddie Cohen
OL, Francis Daneau
WR, Cassidy Doneff
DL, Brandon Guillory
DL, Alan Harper
S, Sean Manning
DB, Melvin Matlock
DL, Mike McFadden
OL, Dan Oliphant
DB, Desman Stephen
WR, Jacob Willis
