The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are quietly cleaning house.
In a move that should surprise no one, the Ticats have released defensive co-ordinatior Kavis Reed, defensive line coach Dennis McPhee and special teams coach Jerome Erdman.
The three coaches, who are highly regarded in CFL circles, may yet be back in Steeltown as geneal manager Marcel Desjardins continues his search for a new head coach.
McPhee, Reed and Erdman, it's believed, will be interviewed once a new head coach has been appointed.
The Ticats have been in a freefall the past two years, including a disastrous 4-14 campaign this past season that featured the firing of Greg Marshall.
Under interim coach Ron Lancaster, who has no intention of returning to the sidelines, the Ticats never fared any better. The Hall of Fame quarterback served as a senior director before Lancaster was asked to oversee the on-field product.
It's unclear whether Lancaster would like to assume his previous position or retire altogether. Some speculate he'll serve as either an ambassador or adviser.
Recently, free-agent running back Josh Ranek was let go, a move that came on the heels of Hamilton locking up Corey Holmes and Jesse Lumsden to long-term deals.
The nominees are ...
The CFL's top receiver as well as its best running back are finalists for the league's outstanding player award.
B.C. Lions slotback Geroy Simon, who had a CFL-high 105 receptions this year, was named the West Division nominee for the award.
The East Division candidate is running back Charles Roberts of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who ran for 1,609 yards to lead the league in rushing for the second consecutive year.
This will mark the first time since 2002 that a player other than a quarterback will win the award. Only three non-quarterbacks -- Montreal running back Mike Pringle in '95 and '98 and Winnipeg slotback Milt Stegall in 2002 -- have captured the honour since 1991.
Argos kicker/punter Noel Prefontaine is nominated for a special-teams award.
