By Joel Gasson

GAME DAY: Bubble players get one more chance to show their stuff

Jun 20, 2014 | 9:59 AM

It could be the most important evening in the careers of some young football players.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders host the Edmonton Eskimos Friday night at Mosaic Stadium as the pre-season comes to a close. It's a game that might not excite all fans, but for some players fighting for jobs, it's a game that could literally change the path of their entire career.

Head coach Corey Chamblin had a message for players who may currently be in the bubble heading into the game.

“The first thing is you're just trying to make this team. The second thing you're trying to do is if we do release you, if we have an injury, you're trying to do well enough that we bring you back,” he said. “Third, you're trying to show for other teams in this league.”

It's a lot of pressure for players, whether they've been through the process of playing in a professional training camp or not.

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Defensive back Greg McCoy has been around the block a few times after bouncing around the NFL a little bit. He knows you have to just play football.

“I've been that guy on the bubble, I've been that guy who worried and sometimes it takes away your playing ability,” he said.

McCoy has quietly had a pretty solid training camp and it all culminates in this pre-season game. After tonight, he'll either be on the roster, the practice roster or a free agent.

McCoy is pretty confident in his abilities and he's been learning the bigger field as he goes.

“It's a wider field. Of course you have to get the feel of it, but being out here it's getting pretty comfortable,” said McCoy.

At the other end of the spectrum is rookie receiver Alex Pierzchalski, who was taken in the second round by the Riders in the 2014 CFL Draft. No one would blame him if he was feeling the butterflies heading into this game knowing his dream of playing professional football is hanging in the balance. That's not the case, however, as the kid remains as confident as ever.

“I'm trying to keep whether or not I'll be here this season or not out of my mind, because I know that if I perform the way I know I can, I will make this team,” said the former University of Toronto receiver.

The biggest thing Pierzchalski has had to adjust to since coming to the CFL from the CIS is the speed at which everything happens in practice and in the game. It's something he thinks he's gotten much better at since the beginning of camp.

“It's about playing with confidence, it's about not thinking about what to do and just doing it and reacting to the defence,” noted Pierzchalski.

McCoy and Pierzchalski certainly aren't the only players on the bubble. There are jobs to be won all over the field, on all three sides of the ball. It's why pre-season matters, even if it's not exactly the most exciting thing to watch.

Kick-off is at 7 p.m., the Green Zone Pre-Game show is set for 4 p.m. on News Talk Radio with the Post-Game show following the final whistle. You can share your thoughts on the game by calling 1-877-300-7275, texting 306306 or tweeting @jamienye.

Final cuts across the CFL have to be in by Saturday evening.

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