Isaac Owusu
Ticats.ca
The rehearsals are through, and it’s now time for the actual show.
Almost two weeks into camp, Tiger-Cats players’ sights are set on making an impression in Saturday’s pre-season contest against the Montreal Alouettes.
David Caldwell and Giovanni Aprile are a pair of newcomers playing on the opposing sides of the ball. They hope to thrive when their opportunities are presented to them during the game.
“I’m real excited I wish we could just play right now,” Caldwell said following Friday’s walk through at Ron Joyce Stadium
“It’s one of those things where you have all that anxious energy and you’re always nervous when you’re making your first impression. I’m always nervous before games but I’m comfortable with it now”
Caldwell, a rookie import out of William and Mary is looking to make the team as a linebacker. He spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Giants of the NFL before arriving in TigerTown.
Still trying to get used to transitioning from the American to Canadian game, he finds common ground in his role for Saturday’s game
“I just want to run and hit,” he said.
“All the thinking was done the last 12 or 13 days that we’ve been here. The game, that’s the fun part. Just run and hit, don’t have to hit your teammates, but you can hit other guys,” he added.
Aprile, a receiver out of Queens University came to Hamilton via a trade in January.
Fighting for a spot at one of the team’s deepest positions, he keeps a hardnosed approach to his role on Saturday.
“I’m just looking to execute, do my job and try to eliminate the mental mistakes. I have to make the most of being out there on special teams and on offence,” he said.
Previous to being in Hamilton Aprile was drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who attempted to convert him to a defensive back. Since he has joined the Ticats he is back to playing receiver, the spot he is more accustomed to.
“I hadn’t played that position (defensive back) since high school, so that was a real new experience for me, but I’m in a role that I’m real comfortable with now.”
