2nd time around (Training Camp)

Training camp was very rigorous, it was probably the hardest training camp I've ever been too. Each day we started at 6 am and finished at 10 pm. The grueling practices and long meetings combined with little sleep, tested our physical and mental strength. Personally, I felt I performed well, on a self evaluation note. Several veterans made remarks on how much I have improved from last year. I had very few assignment errors and was able to stay healthy throughout the camp. As we gear up for pre-season, I am very anxious to get going and prove to myself and my teammates that I can play and that I belong. The first pre-season game is at home and will be the fans first real look at the team. I hope all goes well.

Pre-Season Week A Wrap

The first round of pre-season games is now racked, and while many of the camp battles raging around the league will remain unsettled until after the second week of exhibitions, teams now have a much better idea of who’s getting it done and who isn’t.

With rosters overflowing and cut day still a ways off, last week’s play will go a long way towards determining how reps are redistributed, even if it won’t mean many quick cuts.

Like most pre-season games, the first four of 2009 were a little rough around the edges, but that’s not to say there weren’t any surprising performances. Here’s my take on what went well and what didn’t in week one.

A FEW GOOD THINGS

The Montreal Alouettes have a little depth at pivot.

The Als’ three passers threw for a combined 24 of 33 for 188 yards and a touchdown on a night when the rushing game piled up nearly 300 yards. Not bad for a pre-season outing. Adrian McPherson was poised and opportunistic running the Als’ offence in Anthony Calvillo’s absence. Chris Leak and Ricky Santos moved the team well, too, working the ball to the backs in space very efficiently. Given the fact that you can still add Brad Banks to that posse of QBs, I’d say everyone worried about the future of quarterbacking in Montreal can relax a bit.

Different might just be better in the Peg.

New coaching staff. New QBs. Fresh faces up and down the roster. It all added up to a fast start Wednesday night against the Ticats. I know the aren’t any trophies handed out for pre-season winners, but I really have to hand it to Mike Kelly and the Bombers brass for coming out of an off-season marked by change with an organized team more than ready to compete. Stefan LeFors performed just as I expected him to perform—consistently, efficiently, and effectively—as did the other pivots on the Bombers’ roster. The team’s big-time receivers (especially Romby Bryant) looked ready for opening night. And the new-look defence played tough, especially in the secondary.

There’s some serious talent in Titletown these days.

Scoreboard aside, the Esks put in one of the most dominant pre-season performances I’ve seen in recent memory the other night against the Riders. Jared Zabransky, Lester Ricard, and Jason Maas all looked ready to play, pushing the ball up the field and leading the offence to scores. And the new faces on defence like Mo Lloyd, Kitwana Jones, and Kelly Malveaux definitely added pop on their side of the ball. Combine all that with young players like Sammy Okpro flying around on special teams, and experienced guys like Jesse Lumsden itching to contribute no matter how many downs they see the field, and it was clear watching their performance against Saskatchewan that the Esks have ballers at every position fighting to earn spots on that roster.

The Champs still have it.

Big play offence. Check. Aggressive defence. Check. Solid special teams. Check. On a night when the majority of their stars were on the sidelines by the end of the first frame, the Stamps still managed to grind out a quality win against a talented B.C. Lions club not without its own cadre of talent. Whether it was Jabari Arthur crashing onto the scene with his 81-yard catch and run TD, or back-up pivot Drew Tate making his case for a roster spot with some stick throws, or big LB Juwan Simpson getting some heat on the passer, Calgary had the look of a deep, prepared squad ready to make another run at a title.

AND A FEW THAT NEED SOME WORK

Slow starts will kill the ‘Cats.

Granted, Hamilton made a heck of a comeback against the new-look Bombers to make a game of it. But that’s the main trouble with comebacks—you’ve got to put yourself in a big hole to start one. And 26-0 at the half is just too big a hole to dig out of. Even given good pass protection and a more-than-adequate rushing attack, the Ticats’ offence just couldn’t finish in the first half against the Bombers’ D. Windy conditions aside, that’s got to be priority one in Steeltown heading into week two of the pre-season.

It’s tough to have a running back derby on four carries.

Kerry Joseph definitely grabbed the ball the other night against the Alouettes when it was offered to him. He moved well to buy time and gain yards, and he put points on the board with some tremendous individual effort. For the most part, so did the Argos’ other pivots. Unfortunately, in the midst of all that passing offence, the Argos’ running backs only had the ball handed to them four times. No matter what coverage the defence presents, that’s a tough ratio to execute effectively week in and week out in the CFL. Especially when there are some quality backs on the field itching to prove they deserve the starting nod come opening day. I’ve got not doubt we’ll see the backs carry a heavier load next time up, and given the level of the talent in the backfield in T.O., I’m eager to see it happen.

Newsflash: the Roughriders’ backfield needs Wes Cates healthy.

Aside from Stu Foord ripping off a few decent carries, the Riders looked like a team in need of a feature back in Edmonton. The lack of a consistent threat out of the backfield really made it difficult for Saskatchewan’s offence to get any sustainable rhythm going. And I have to believe that played a part in the five sacks the Riders’ surrendered. Considering Cates might not be ready to go opening week, Gang Green needs someone to step up quickly to provide some ground support for Darian Durant and company.

The Lions are going to need some happier returns.

With Ian Smart likely to earn the starting RB slot by week 1, somebody in B.C. is going to have to step up to claim the kick and punt return duties to keep Smart fresh enough to make an impact on offence. Other than Damian Sims, who was adequate, but unspectacular, returning kicks, none of the other returners opened eyes against the Stamps. Trestin George dropped his shot, and neither Otis Amey nor Darren Toney gave off much heat. Hopefully, the next game will offer a different story, or Smart’s just going to have to put on his cape and save the day himself.

UP NEXT

I’ll take a look at the final week of pre-season games, and give my take on how all the roster battles shook out. I might even uncork a few predictions for the season.

Until then, enjoy the games while it’s only roster spots at stake. In a week and a half, they’ll be for real points.



Posted Jun 22 2009, 04:41 PM by Jack Bedell

UP NEXT

Im into every kind of music what makes this one special is that I used to play soccer with him back in the day! I had no clue he had musical talent. Shout out to David Hodges keep doing you thing! YOUR UP NEXT!

Camping with Sammy Okpro, Part 2

I managed to catch up with Sammy Okpro right after last week’s pre-season game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders to continue our conversation about how his training camp is going.

During the tilt, Okpro had some monster special teams plays, the finest of which was a huge tackle that caused a turnover for the Esks. It was one of those game-changing plays that turns a tight game into a route, and it was definitely nice to see Sammy get a little taste of that kind of performance.

How are you feeling now that the first pre-season game is in the books?

Sammy Okpro—“ I am feeling much better. It feels as if a big weight is off our shoulders. When you have virtually a new team and new coaching staff, there is always the question of how long it is going to take for the team to gel. Personally, I feel the same way after being on hiatus for a year. It felt great getting back into the mix of things. When you haven’t played a single down in a year, doubt creeps into your mind whether you can do it or not. I feel I’ve now silenced my own voices in my head.”

What were some of the highlights of the Esks’ performance for you?

SO—“I think the biggest highlight was our teams’ depth. It was a pretty close match leading into half time, but we were able to pull away in the third quarter. Our ability to run the ball and stop the run also stood out as we struggled in both those categories last season. A highlight for me, personally, was my forced fumble on kick-off in the second half.”

Was film review more fun after the big win?

SO—“Film review is always much better after a win. Even though there were plenty of mistakes to be corrected, they weren’t costly, and we were given more lenience with a big win. For me, I had two assignment errors on defence and none on special teams. So for myself, it was a pretty good day. Several vets made comments on how well I played on special teams and told me to keep building on it.”

You brought some serious pop on that special teams tackle that caused a turnover. Is high-octane special teams a major part of your focus this camp?

SO—“It was the most important focus for me. If I am unable to play in the defence, I have to earn my spot on the special teams. I have worked really hard to master the skills last year in order to be ready for this year. Coach Thorpe, if not the best special teams coach in the CFL, is close to the top. He was pretty hard on me last year cleaning up the little things, even though I was on scout team. I feel I am much more polished this year than opposed to last year.”

What are your goals heading into the second pre-season tilt?

SO—“To be better than I was in the first pre-season game, and take care of the detail. That has been our motto throughout camp and for the rest of the season. If every individual takes care of his job we will be okay. I would like to be 100% on my assignment.”

How’s your routine change going on the road with a short week of prep?

SO—“It hasn’t really changed all that much given that we are still in training camp. However, Coach Hall allowed us to take our pads off for a couple of practices to save our legs. We will be flying out the day of the game, so it will not affect us too much this week.”

Is the team still in evaluation mode, or will the vets see more action this week?

SO—“I believe the team is for the most part still under evaluation as our roster is still very deep. There is a lot of talent across the board. We should expect to see the vets play at least a half with the guys battling for spots coming in for the other half.“

Are your reps in camp giving you any indication of where you’re standing on the depth chart these days?

SO—“Yes, they are drastically different than last year, where at times I didn’t receive any reps during practice. This year, I had started off slated as #3 spot for safety but following the pre-seaon game, I have since moved up to #2. The coach has notified me that I will be receiving more reps this game than I did in the last pre-season game. So I will also have a fair shot at competing for the starting safety spot.”

How are the vets helping with the development of the defence?

SO—“They are helping a tremendous amount. Mo Lloyd and Kitwana Jones have been very vocal on pursuit, tackling, and communication. These three parts are vital for success on defence.”

Any pressure on you this week? Or will you just get your work in and have faith in the coaches’ roster decisions?

SO—“I feel the most pressure occurred during last weeks match. As it was our first game for our team in front of a home crowd. Also, it was my first shot to prove to my teammates that I belong on the field. After a good outing last week, I feel I have gained that respect from my peers and am looking forward to building on it. There still is a little pressure to perform well and play up to the expectations, but that just comes with the territory.”

---

Posted Jun 22 2009, 10:46 AM by Jack Bedell

Camping with Sammy Okpro

With training camps going full-force all around the CFL this week, players in every camp are busy preparing their bodies and minds for the long regular season.

It doesn’t matter if you are a fresh-faced rookie or a grizzled veteran, training camp is both a mental and physical trial as well as a fight for your livelihood.

Couple the strain of two-a-day practices with the stress of new coaches and front office personnel evaluating talent from the first second of camp, and you have the makings of a real-life Survivor situation.

Even in the midst of all that pressure, the Edmonton Eskimos’ second-year safety Sammy Okpro was gracious enough to spend a few minutes with me discussing his state of mind and body heading into training camp.

How do you feel heading into your second camp with the Esks? Prepared? Ready to make an impact?

Sammy Okpro—“Leading up into camp, I was very anxious to get going. It has been a long off-season and I have worked very hard to get ready. While at camp watching rookies, I realized that I wasn’t one anymore. I knew the routine now, which made me feel much better than the previous year. Most definitely, I feel better prepared than training camp last year.

Knowing what to expect makes it much easier to train in the off-season and get your body ready. After a year on the sideline I am ready to contribute wherever the coaches need me to. With that being said, I am also looking to push for the starting safety spot. Wherever they decide to place me, I am definitely ready to make an impact.”

What’s the vibe around Coach Hall? Can you already tell a difference with the new coaching staff?

SO—“Living here in the off-season, I had a chance to meet with Coach Hall and his staff before training camp started. Right from the moment he got here I could tell the difference. With all the off-season acquisitions, we’re already a better team going into camp. Talking about what kind of team we were going to be just got me even more excited heading into camp. Training camp this year has been tough. Pushing ourselves to the limit, with the ideology of getting better everyday.”

How’s the adjustment to a new position going?

SO—“All of last year I have been on the scout team as the safety. For the most part, the adjustment took place last year. However, running scout cards and actually playing safety in Coach Hall’s defence are two different things. With the scheme being vastly complex, it really puts a lot of stress on the mental aspect of the game.”

Did you prepare any differently knowing the change to safety might be coming?

SO—“In January, I was notified that I would actually be making the move to safety. Talking with KP, he explained it was all about how you move, ‘You can be the strongest person on the field, but if you can’t get the ball carrier, what use is it?’ With that in mind, I made it a primary focus to get faster, leaner, and more flexible. I did a lot of running outside in the winter cold which tested my mental strength. I combined that with plenty of footwork in the gym and hot yoga for more flexibility.”

What can you say about all the new faces in camp? Anybody stand out yet?

SO—“For the most part the rookies they have brought in are all men of great character and athletic ability. They are very talented and many of them will be pushing veterans for roster spots. The two guys that stand out most are Mo Lloyd and Kitwana Jones. They were both brought over from Saskatchewan to join Richie Hall in Edmonton. They add an attitude and swagger which was missing here.”

It seems like your team made a conscious choice to get quicker in the secondary this season, on the whole defence actually. Is there a difference in Coach Hall’s system to go along with the new personnel?

SO—“Yes, Coach Hall’s system is very complex, with several defensive play calls. It forces guys to be able to think on the run and adjust to different formations on the fly. With that being said, speed is a necessity in the defence. We will now force teams to throw short and rally to the ball to make tackles.”

Any perks to being a second-year player?

SO—“Yes, because I have now gained the respect of veterans on the team, I am no longer looked at as just a young rookie, but rather a young player about to start his career."

Do you feel a little more comfortable digesting the playbook this year as opposed to breaking in last season?

SO—“Not really, Coach Hall’s system is much different than last year’s playbook. Several more plays have been installed at this point than there were during last year’s training camp. As a safety you are known as the “quarterback” of the defence. This means it is vital that I know my own position as well as everyone else’s position in the secondary. The margin of error is so small that one mistake could lead to a touchdown.”

What goals have you set for yourself for the first half of camp?

SO—“The primary goal I have is to prove that I am ready to play. The secondary goals I have set are to be assignment-sound and to be much better on one-on-one coverage as opposed to last year.”

What’s more important for you at this point—practicing well all camp, or showing well in the Esks’ two pre-season games?

SO—“Both are equally as important, as practice is a mirror image of the way you play. If you perform well in practice, it will be a good indicator of the way you will play on game day. The most important thing is to have fun and fly around.”

---

Posted Jun 11 2009, 04:22 PM by Jack Bedell

Transformers 2 'Revenge Of The Fallen'

A MUST SEE!

2nd time around (Rookie Camp)

thats me at 39secs

Rookie camp is officially over.  Although I didn't  want to do it at first I'm glad I did. It gave me a chance to get familiar with the new schemes on defense and knock some rust off.  It was different from last year because I got to see the field and take quality reps. Overall, I felt my performance was pretty good. I had 0 assignment errors and felt great in special teams circuits. 1 on 1's were much better than last year, I got beat off a few but every DB does. The main focus is getting better everyday and playing at a high intensity.  We get some time off as other veterans roll in and do their physicals. It will be good to see some familiar faces in the locker room.  Training Camp offically begins tomorrow with meetings at night. 

What Sports is all about

WINNING!
This video just gets me excited!

CFL Training Camp Primer

2009-06-05 15:00:00

National Post

Montreal Alouettes

2008 record 11-7, first in the East Division. 

Playoffs: Beat Edmonton in East final; lost to Calgary in the Grey Cup. 

Key additions: DB Stanford Samuels (Winnipeg); DT Jerome Haywood (Winnipeg); LB Cam Hall (Winnipeg). 

Key subtractions: OT Dave Mudge; DB Khalil Carter; QB Marcus Brady; OL Luke Fritz; DB Shawn Gallant; SB Dave Stala. 

Stories to watch: Veteran QB Anthony Calvillo turns 37 in August. Eventually, the team must decide on who will replace him . Although this is a veteran team with few holes to fill, any changes that are forthcoming figure to be made on defence--a defence that allowed an average of nearly 400 yards per game. The team could be seeking more size and speed at linebacker. 

Toronto Argonauts

2008 record 4-14, third in East Division. 

Playoffs: Missed post-season. 

Key additions: Head coach Bart Andrus, LB Zeke Moreno (Winnipeg), OL Rob Murphy (B. C. Lions), OL Dominic Picard (Winnipeg). 

Key subtractions: LB Mike O'Shea, LB Michael Fletcher, DB Kenny Wheaton, OL Jude St. John, C Chad Folk, DB Chris Hardy, DB Byron Parker, WR P.K. Sam, KR Dominique Dorsey, DL Riall Johnson. 

Stories to watch: Toronto has a new team president (Bob Nicholson), a new head coach (Bart Andrus) and a host of new players after upper management gave the green light to dismantle a team that finished 4-14 last season. Michael (Pinball) Clemons, the eternal, smiling face of the franchise, has opted for a reduced role to increase his focus on options away from the game. Linebacker Zeke Moreno will attempt to snatch the torch thrown by retired stalwart Mike O'Shea. 

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

2008 record 3-15, fourth in East Division. 

Playoffs: Missed post-season. 

Key additions: Assistant head coach Greg Marshall, QB Kevin Glenn (Winnipeg), LB Otis Floyd (B. C. Lions), LB Agustin Barrenechea (Edmonton), OL Dan Goodspeed (Saskatchewan), Simeon Rottier (2008 draft), OL Alexandre Gauthier (Winnipeg). 

Key subtractions: Quarterback Casey Printers, RB Jesse Lumsden. 

Stories to watch: There is only one story, and it is related directly to the fact there are children in Hamilton who will begin kindergarten this fall without ever having seen the local CFL team qualify for post-season play. The Ticats have not made the playoffs since 2004 and have begun yet another rebuilding process in an effort to snap the streak. Coach Marcel Bellefeuille appears to have made smart additions to his staff, Marshall first among them. 

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

2008 record 18-10, second in East Division. 

Playoffs: Lost to Edmonton in East semi-final. 

Key additions: Head coach Mike Kelly, QB Stefan LeFors, Edmonton),DE Fred Perry (Edmonton), LB Siddeeq Shabazz (Edmonton), LB Shawn Gallant (Montreal),DT Tyrone Williams (B. C.),DE Riall Johnson (Toronto), SB Brock Ralph (Edmonton), OL Glenn January (Saskatchewan),OL Luke Fritz (Montreal),OL Steve Morley (Saskatchewan), CB James Johnson (Saskatchewan), 

Key subtractions: SB Milt Stegall, QB Kevin Glenn, OL Dan Goodspeed, OL Alexandre Gauthier, OL Dominic Picard, CB Kelly Malveaux, DB Anthony Malbrough, DE Kai Ellis, DE Tom Canada, DB Stanford Samuels, DL Jerome Haywood, SB Jamie Stoddard, LB Zeke Moreno, LB Cam Hall, OL Matt Sheridan 

Stories to watch: At last count, the Bombers were up to five QBs --Stefan LeFors, Ryan Dinwiddie, Bryan Randall, James Kilian and Darrell Hackney. Will any of them be able to stand upright long behind a guttedO-line? The kicking game has incumbent Alexis Serna and Dan Giancola battling N.C. State's Bradley Pierson. 

Saskatchewan Roughriders

2008 record 12-6-0, second in the West Division. 

Playoffs: Lost West semi-final to B. C. 

Key additions: SB Jason Clermont (B. C.); OL Jordan Rempel (Hamilton); OL Joe McGrath (Edmonton); CB Donovan Alexander (Montreal); C Jonathan St-Pierre (2008 draft). 

Key subtractions: LB Maurice Lloyd:LB Anton McKenzie; WR Matt Dominguez; SB D.J. Flick; DE Kitwana Jones. 

Stories to watch: QBs Darian Durant, Steven Jyles, Dalton Bell and Juan Joseph are unproven as starters. Their development is a key to the Riders' season. Etcheverry takes over one of the best defences in the league and has indicated there will be some changes. GM Eric Tillman is on paid administrative leave and the sexual assault charge he is facing is to be heard in Regina court on June 12. Tillman, who pleaded not guilty, has been actively involved in the team's moves. Jim Hopson, the president and CEO of the Riders, has said it remain business as usual as the case works it way through the courts. Secondyear head coach Ken Miller has looked after the team's football operations. 

Calgary Stampeders
 
2008 record 13-5-0, first in West Division. 

Playoffs: Beat B. C. in the West final; beat Montreal in the Grey Cup. 

Key additions: DE Alain Kashama (Hamilton),QB Matt D'Orazio (Arena League), LB/ FB Fernand Kashama (2008 draft), DL Tom Johnson (Arena League),DL Justin Brown (Arena League). 

Key subtractions: TE/FB Teyo Johnson, DE Charleston Hughes, 

Stories to watch: Only Mike Labinjo returns from a 2008 defensive line that was among the best in the league . Also, Calgary has piles of Canadian depth on the offensive line. A familiar face may lose a job. And in the big picture, there's the pressure that goes along with being a defending Grey Cup champion hoping to repeat, and hoping to do it at home in Nov 

Edmonton Eskimos

2008 record 10-8, fourth in West Division. 

Playoffs: Beat Winnipeg in East semi-final, lost to Mont-real in East final. 

Key additions: Head coach Richie Hall defensive co-ordinator Jim Daley,: LB Maurice Lloyd (Saskatchewan), RB Jesse Lumsden (Hamilton), DE Kai Ellis (Winnipeg), S Scott Gordon (Saskatchewan), DE Kitwana Jones (Saskatchewan), DB Kelly Malveaux (Winnipeg), DB Anthony Malbrough (Winnipeg). 

Key subtractions: DE Fred Perry, S Shiddeeq Shabazz, SB Kelly Campbell, LB Agustin Barrenchea, WR Jason Tucker. 

Stories to watch: Daley will run Richie Hall's revamped Riders' defence. Hall managed to attract some quality free agents from Saskatchewan and Maciocia made key acquisitions to stabilize the defence and add a running game, which was woefully lacking in 2008. There were lots of offseason moves, so the biggest question mark is how quickly can this team gel? DT Adam Braidwood returns from a season missed due to knee injury. 

B.C. Lions

2008 record 11-7, third in West Division. 

Playoffs: Beat Saskatchewan in West semi-final; lost to Calgary in West final. 

Key additions: LB Anton McKenzie (Saskatchewan),WR Jerel Meyers (Arena League), OL Justin Sorensen (2008 draft). 

Key subtractions: DE Cam Wake, SB Jason Clermont, LB Otis Floyd, RB Stefan Logan, LT Rob Murphy, DT Tyrone Williams. 

Stories to watch: Lions will have to replace the entire left side of offensive line and find a replacement for two-time outstanding lineman Rob Murphy. Feature back role will have seven in camp auditioning to replace departed Stefan Logan, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This spring's first-round draft pick, Jamall Lee, signed with Carolina and won't attend Lions camp. Paris Jackson moves into starting slotback position vacated by Jason Clermont. 

Courtesy: www.nationalpost.com

Bedell: The next one

2009-06-03 14:23:00 by Jack Bedell

Jack B. Bedell
CFL.ca

There’s no week that holds more promise than the first week of June for a CFL fan.  Training camps are set to open, rosters are as full as they’ll ever be, and there’s just no better way to spend the last few days of the off-season than pouring over those names looking for the reasons why your team will take home the Grey Cup in November.

Now, it’s easy to cherry-pick, to write in a 70+ completion percentage for Ricky Ray, to put down 1200+ yards for Joffrey Reynolds, or to guarantee 10 sacks for Brent Johnson.  The Wes Cateses, Derick Armstrongs, and Avon Cobournes are already on radar, and the real surprise would be if they failed to put in their work.

The real trick is locating the players in the on-deck circle, the ones just outside the glow of the spotlight who are set to break out in 2009.  Every team has them, and every fan is sure he knows who they are.  

Here’s my top eight ready to blow it out this season:

1) Ricky Foley, DE, B.C. Lions
The rush end spot opposite Brent Johnson has been a star-maker for the Lions the past three or four years, and Foley’s the next man up. He’s got good size and nice speed, a noisy home crowd, and the rare benefit of Johnson chasing plays his way, so there’s no reason to think Foley won’t be a force coming off the other end for B.C.

2) Jabari Arthur, WR, Calgary Stampeders
The Stamps’ receiving corps might just be the most difficult, congested place to make a name for yourself in the CFL, but Arthur has the goods to carve out a spot for himself. He’s a big target with more than enough speed to threaten defences, and given playing time, he’ll find the ball, no doubt.

3) Kevin Challenger, WR, Edmonton Eskimos
In limited playing time last season, Challenger averaged over 20-yards per reception. If the contract extension he signed in the off-season is any indication of the Esks faith in him, Challenger should see the field more in 2009, and I’d say he’s the perfect candidate to replace the offence Edmonton lost when Kelly Campbell jumped to the NFL. 

4) Brandon Guillory, DE, Hamilton Ticats
As tempted as I am to slot Quinton Porter into this spot, I have to go with Guillory here. For one reason or another, he had trouble finding the field in Edmonton last year. The simple fact is, though, when given snaps, Guillory is a guaranteed sack in the box score. Over the course of his short career, he’s proven to be a menace coming off the edge, and with a fresh start in Steeltown complete with a chance to earn a starting rush end spot week in and week out, Guillory will light it up in 2009, trust me.

5) Shea Emry, LB, Montreal Alouettes
Last season, Emry led the Als in special teams tackles, finishing tied for seventh in the CFL. With teams ace Shawn Gallant moving on, Emry should take on an even larger role in the Als’ coverage schemes and should see the field a bit at LB as well. Emry’s a physically-gifted, high-motor player who plays way too hard not to get noticed around the league.

6) Renauld Williams, LB, Saskatchewan Roughriders
Anton McKenzie and Maurice Lloyd aren’t around to cast shadows any longer, so it’s Williams’ turn to step out into the spotlight. With the first extended playing time of his short career in Riderville last season, Williams notched 38 tackles, three sacks, and a pick. In 2009, I wouldn’t be shocked to see those numbers double.

7) Reggie McNeal, QB/WR, Toronto Argonauts
Down the stretch in 2008, McNeal was one of the league’s most dynamic receivers, posting 100-yard games almost every time he saw the field. And he did all that listed as a QB on the Argos’ depth chart! He’s definitely a dangerous player who generates as much excitement as he does yardage. Toronto’s new coaching staff has to find ways to keep him on the field, and with the CFL adopting a rule this past off-season to allow players other than the QB to line up under centre, McNeal’s versatility is sure to be a valuable commodity. 

8) Stefan LeFors, QB, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
When Ricky Ray was dinged up in 2007, LeFors played well enough to prove he can play QB in the league. Now he has a chance to prove he can lead his own team in Winnipeg, and I have a feeling he’ll pull it off. He’s a smart player and natural leader with more mobility than people realize. LeFors also has plenty enough arm to handle those prairie winds. Sometimes good things happen for good people, and I bet 2009 will be one of those times for LeFors and for Bombers fans.

UP NEXT

Camps will be in full-swing by next week, so check in to get my take on who’s hot and who’s onthe hot seat.  I’ll also break out a couple of roster long shots who just might stick.

Enjoy your roster hunting this week.  I know I will.

Countdown to training camp -5,4,3,2,1

5 days till training but I'm kicking it off tomorrow. That strange feeling I had the other day has gone. Plain and simple, I've been here before.  It's the 2nd time around and I'm ready! It has been a year that I've been in E-town now, and I'm glad I've made the decision to stay and train here during the off-season.  I'm not as big or strong as I was last year, but my total body strength and fitness is at an all time high. Confidence is there and it is truly essential for my position.  Long story short.

PUT ME IN THE GAME COACH!

Countdown to training camp -6

Rookie camp is 1 day away... Why am I going to rookie camp if I'm not a rookie?  Technically I still am.  In order to be considered a vet, you have to be active for 7 games. I was cut short at 6 so even if I have been on the team the whole year I am still a rookie. I will be using this to my advantage in getting familiar with the new schemes on defense and to get my legs under me. I have a feeling I will be doing much less standing around than I did last year. I'll keep you posted.