The Hamilton Tiger-Cats finally released their final cuts at 9:30 this morning, almost 12 hours after the league deadline. The team has not given a reason for its lateness.
Plot Thickens for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
But what’s really surprising in these cuts is the lack of surprises. The team has released a selection of players, none of whom would have had definite expectations of making the final lineup.
A couple of them looked good in the exhibition games, particularly Seydou Junior Haidara, who was traded from B.C. for the Ticats’ fifth-round draft pick. As a National player, Haidara would have brought both skill and experience, and was expected to shore up the receiving corps ratio after the loss of Spencer Watt. But still, Haidara’s cut is not a shock; he was not a Hamilton marquee player.
Things get a little more interesting, though, in the injury lists. With runners dropping all around the team, C.J. Gable has been placed on the one-game list, meaning he’s close enough to playing that an emergency pickup won’t be necessary. Ray Holley, who impressed in his exhibition outings, remains on the practice roster as a backup. No news on Moisses Madu or Nic Grigsby at present and they probably don’t feature in the team’s early-season planning.
Finally, the quarterback controversy is far from settled, but Jeremiah Masoli’s indifferent outing on Friday has resulted in his placement on the one-game injury list. The only injury he definitely suffered was a hit in the pride; his performance was abysmal compared to that of Zach Collaros, who wiped the field with the haphazard Winnipeg defence. But leaving the two rookie candidates, Jacory Harris and Jeff Mathews, on the roster speaks volumes. Masoli may have taken his last snap in black and gold.
For a team that has been snakebitten by injuries, the Tiger-Cats have been surprisingly stable. As long as their top target Luke Tasker is game-ready soon, their running backs stay relatively healthy, and Collaros doesn’t take a quick injury again, their season may be off to a strong start. Questions remain, but they are apparently ready for their opener in Calgary.
