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.

Countdown to training camp -7

As training camp approaches, a strange feeling has come over me. A feeling of mixed emotions... After being passive for all of last year, I wonder if I still got it? Do I still have that juice that I've always played with?  I wonder how training camp is going to go? I wonder how my body will feel when I get that first hit?.... I guess only time will tell.  Just 7 days to camp, but Rookie Camp is around the corner, and yesss I'm going to that too! 

Countdown to training camp -8

Countdown to training camp -9

Back in time!

Countdown to training camp -10

10 days away, I just finished the Molson Bar Blitz with the Eskimos.  It was really nice meeting the fans, letting them know how great this season is going to be.  That aside, I'm really anxious to get things going.  It has been a long wait.  Despite all the changes, I'm still here.  Getting ready to help this team win and bring the grey cup back to E-town. 

OFF-SEASON part III

Back in E-town I was hit with a feeling similar to jetlag. I didn’t fly so let’s call it roadlag. After driving Debo to the Airport for 6am I stayed up the rest of the day feeling weird that I was not on the road. I sat back and really thought of what we just did…. AMAZING! We actually made it across the country on a winter weekend. If we can do that then anything is possible. Gazing out the balcony I wondered why it couldn’t be June already? Reality started setting in, back to Grind Season. 

Grind Season part II

You’re probably wondering now why Grind Season and not off season? It’s Grind Season because if you’re really serious about the game, then there is nothing off about it. As a matter of fact off-season is my least favorite time off year, but the work has to be done. Grinding to get it. Grinding because I want it. I’m grinding because it’s what you have to do. Nothing happens over night. I’m still left with the bitter taste from last year. It’s GRIND SEASON!

Life during the grind season was much easier now that we had a car. Instead of arriving at the gym after work by 8pm, I was now leaving at that time. Though the days were still long it was much easier than riding the bike. The regimen was running smoothly but at work I was frustrated because I wanted to get my training done first thing in the morning, with work coming in second. Working at Totem was a great experience. I met a lot of Eskimo fans and other wonderful people. I explained my plan to some of them and they gave me encouragement and wished me good luck along the way. Despite enjoying working there, something had to be done to alleviate some time in the mornings so I could train more effectively. With the help of the Eskimos front office I was able to score a more flexible job. They lined me up with a job as a security guard. At first I was a little hesitant. Thinking back to Montreal, it was usually a work gig where you really had to secure. I took the job anyways.

I was given two permanent sites; Independent Jewellery and Icon Omega II. Icon Omega was a new condo building being constructed. During the weeknights I would work at the Jewelry store and on weekends Icon Omega. The first shift at Icon was long with not much to do. The building was empty except for the first 3 hours of my shift. Working 12hr shift on the weekend left me with plenty of time alone. Only a routine hourly check pulled me away. With so much free time on my hands I couldn’t possibly sit and do nothing all day. 

At this point, reading came back into my life. I needed to escape the cold winter feeling in the empty construction building, so I escaped with my mind. I took a friends advice and purchased a book, The Secret. Reading it over and over again throughout the month of February I let the words sink into my head. The book had a very powerful message and gave me a whole new perspective on life. If you haven’t heard or read this book I urge you to go get it now. I PROMISE YOU WILL NO BE DISSAPOINTED. This book reinforced a way of thinking that I had already practiced, but never to its fullest potential

The book suggested putting things down on paper, creating a “vision book”. With nothing to do but sit down all weekend I said yes to the vision book. The first day with the book was quite slow. I had a couple of goals and dreams down but it didn’t take much time. Pen in hand, looking at the notebook pages I felt I had nothing to put down. Last season I had started writing my experiences as a rookie for an online football site. After not finishing my entries, Pat, the owner of the site let me know that some of the readers were disappointed.  Remembering how terrible I felt that I didn’t finish, I decided to complete what I had started in my vision book. As I relived the experiences in my mind I put everything down as vividly as I could. The flood gates opened and I began writing non-stop.  Sitting in that empty building it was my only form of entertainment. I told my friend H about what I was doing and he urged me to create a blogspot.  The first two blogs I posted received so much feedback that creating the blogspot became the best thing I had ever done. I would re-live each week from the last season and capture the memories in writing. March and April flew by as I wrote and put in the work, making preparations for the next season. Grind Season had come to an end and I no longer hated it. I was back in shape, on a steady schedule, and feeling good about myself. With football season on the horizon, this is what I’ve been waiting for.

 

So now that we’re caught up to speed, LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

 

Countdown to Training Camp 10….

 

SAM-I-AM

 

OFF-SEASON part II

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The saying “Home for the Holidays” never had much meaning for me, for the simple fact that I had always been home. It added another first experience to the year for me. As soon as I got off the airplane I felt much better. A feeling of familiarity hit me, something I was used to. I started wondering if I had made the right decision to stay out in Edmonton? Only time will tell. For the time being I was happy to be home.

My second night back marked the first night out on the town. I reunited with close friends Ceddy Rock and T-Time. The first thing both of them said was, “Dam you look small!” Still not knowing how much I weighed, I replied thanks with a smile. The night out was great. It brought back many memories from my university years. While standing around, I noticed that I did not miss the Montreal night life anymore. Something that seemed so appealing to me 8 months ago was not as enjoyable as before. Did I change? Mature?? Or did I just have different priorities? I think it was a combination of all three.

Being home for a couple of days now, I started feeling like myself again. Reminded that I did have friends and family that I could talk to helped. Despite my struggles last year, I was in a great position. The news came in that the new coach of the Edmonton Eskimos was Richie Hall. The excitement started brewing that day. Now, inspired I put Young Cal’s advice to work. Finally stepping on the scale, I tipped in at 187 lbs. I was in shock of how much I had lost in 3 weeks. I had accomplished my goal already. My next goal was to become more flexible. I’ve always stretched but always felt that my muscles were very tight. I needed to find a way to drastically improve my flexibility.

YOGA

Never in a million years did I think I would join a yoga class. How did this ever come about? Well long story short, I met an old friend when I was down. I was talking about how I needed to increase my flexibility. She urged me that Yoga would be great for me. Still skeptical, I declined at first. She began taunting me, asking me if I was too scared. After some thought, I decided to give it a try. After all, it could be another first to add to the list.

First class, I was ready to go! We drove downtown to St-Laurent street where it was located. The sign read Moksha Hot yoga. Hot yoga? I had no clue what regular yoga was and here I am being dragged to hot yoga. Entering the yoga room, I was slapped in the face by this heat and fans blowing hot air at me. It was a little uncomfortable, but being in Dubai before the season prepared me somewhat for this type of heat. Sitting on the floor of the hot room, Ashley told that it was an advanced class. She explained that I shouldn’t feel bad if I couldn’t do all the positions. “Piece of cake” I felt I was in great shape. Bring it on! At first it was simple. As the class wore on, however, it started to speed up. It was quite hard to breathe and I found myself dizzy. My competitive edge didn’t want to stop because she was so much better than me. Midway through the class I was done. I could barely do any of the moves. I was in way over my head. I forced myself to try to do as much I could. I couldn’t wait to get out of that hot room. Following the class I was dead tired. How could a little stretching be so hard? I had found new respect for yoga. It was much harder than it looked.

The next day I woke up feeling muscles I had never felt before. It was a great feeling, my body had never felt so relaxed. I made a decision to keep yoga as part of the training regimen.


NEW YEARS

On a normal occasion I would be going out with friends and drinking the night away. It was different for me this new years. No longer did I want to go out and party like I used to in Montreal. I was enjoying Montreal in a different way. Just being around my friends was enough for me. I spent the night at H’s place with a couple of other close friends. Pleased with my lighter physique, I splurged on some fast food for once. I only spent $20 and had the best new years to date.

ROAD TRIP

As days passed I knew the vacation was coming to an end. Thinking ahead 5 months, I knew there was still a lot of work to be done. It was going to be back to the grind to prepare for next season. I truly enjoyed my time in Montreal. Being around friends and family was something I really needed. Driving away from downtown I looked through my rear view and promised myself the next time I would return to Montreal it was with my pads and the Nasty Eskimos.

Originally I was supposed to fly back, but I decided not to. A buddy of mine, Chad, had made a big decision to come out west and get his life started. He too had felt he was not doing anything very productive in Montreal and needed a change. I explained to him how it was quite time consuming to not have a car in Edmonton, so he decided to bring his car down. Chad had his buddy Debo checked the mechanics of the car to make sure it was fit to drive. After a couple of minor repairs, it was ready to go. Now, Debo has always been a fan of driving. He is known for taking trips for no reason so he wanted in on this one. Adding an extra driver made things easier on us so his company was welcomed. Debo had booked a return flight to Montreal so we had to push to arrive in Edmonton in 60hours. The plan was to drive straight, stopping only for food, gas, and to give the car break. When I told my mother the plan she looked at me as if I was crazy. She said, “In the winter there is no way you’re going to get there in time to make that flight!” I smiled and told her, when there’s a will there’s a way. Even if we didn’t make it, it wasn’t the end of the world. But, after Debo had invested $600 in a ticket we did not want his money to go to waste.




After a short delay we hit the road. Leaving Quebec was a piece of cake. Riding high in the province of Ontario our first nightfall hit. Somewhere around midnight it felt like the temperature in the car had dipped, my toes were starting to get cold. I asked what was going on…? Chad replied, “ I think we lost heat?” Right then, it truly felt as if we were in a scary movie. We stopped at Mc Donald’s to regroup, throw some more clothes on, and discuss what our next move was. Our only option was to keep going. We were too far in now, approaching the great lakes. The U.S was in sight and we just had to make it through the night. Chad had just put in an 8 hour shift of driving. Debo was up next. Rolling along it was terribly cold in the car. We only managed to get part of the heat working which only allowed us to semi defrost the front window. It was incredibly hard to see out the front and all the side windows were frosted inside. Driving across Canada during the winter was no joke. I prayed to god to watch over us as we might be in over our heads.

I awakened with relief that Debo had got us through the first night. He clocked in a 10hr shift all while getting us through the U.S border. It warmed up considerably in the morning, the heat was working better, and things didn’t look as bad anymore. After being on the road for 18hrs we had weathered the first storm. Now arriving in Wisconsin, Chad hit the wheel again, while I was on the passenger side navigating the GPS. The weather was much nicer in the U.S. and we enjoyed the whole day with no worries. Just us on the road, rolling along.

As we rolled into the prairies the scenery was beautiful. As miles wore on, I passed most of the time thinking.








The scenic part of the trip was done. We had half the trip behind us and it was now time for me to hit the wheel. This night was much better than last night better visibility, and a warmer car. I drove through the night into the morning. Once again it was a nice day as we passed through Minnesota. The worst was still yet to come. The third night it was terribly foggy and we could only see about 15yards ahead of us. Thank god for the GPS system we would have never made it without it.


The final push put us through the flats of Saskatchewan. We arrived at the Edmonton International Airport 17 minutes before his flight was boarding. Mission accomplished! Montreal to Edmonton in less than 60 hours.