2015 Dinos training camp preview: Defence

CALGARY – Just days away from the opening of their fall training camp, powered by Perpetual Energy, today we take a look at the defensive side of the football as the 2015 season gets underway for the University of Calgary Dinos.

A preview of the offence and special teams will follow Friday.

Camp opens Saturday, Aug. 15 at the Edge School, with two-a-days beginning Sunday at McMahon Stadium and running all the way until Wednesday, Aug. 26 when the Dinos will face the Regina Rams in an exhibition contest in Medicine Hat, Alta. Calgary opens the 2015 Canada West season at home on Friday, Sept. 4 when the Dinos host the UBC Thunderbirds for KICKOFF, the capstone to the University of Calgary’s annual orientation week.

Once again in 2015, the Dinos have teamed up with the Calgary Stampeders to provide Dinos season tickets to all Stampeders’ season ticket holders. For further ticket information, please visit www.godinos.com/tickets.

The defence returns nine of 12 starters, including five former All-Canadians. The secondary returns completely intact, while up front the defensive line returns a solid group and adds a couple of key recruits. And at linebacker, the Dinos will benefit from the return of two players they could have lost in Doctor Cassama and Tanner Doll.

“We have a very experienced crew coming back, so we are expecting to perform at a high level,” said Harris, who was the defensive coordinator for the past four seasons before taking over as head coach in February. “These guys have been together for a couple of years now. They know what to expect, they know how to run things, so it won’t be a steep learning curve for them. They should be able to start executing immediately.”

DEFENSIVE LINE

Key returnees: Connor McGough, Brett Wade, Jack McEwen, Cory Robinson

Key losses: Tyler Langlais

Key additions: Bobby Sugai, Steven Finot, Aidan Smith

McGough had an outstanding season in 2014 after moving over from the offence and earned second team All-Canadian status as a result. The rest of the defensive line remains mostly intact, with the exception of the graduated Tyler Langlais, a former conference all-star.

Harris: “Brett Wade and Jack McEwen will be key on the edges, and Connor McGough had a breakout season last year. We have a really strong core across the board on the defensive line. Bobby Sugai probably has the best shot to come in and contribute right away as a freshman. For the high school guys, it’s all about how quickly they can learn the playbook because it’s so much more extensive than what they’ve been used to.”

LINEBACKERS

Key returnees: Doctor Cassama, Tanner Doll, Brad Friesen, Iyanu Ojekale, Micah Teitz

Key losses: Adam Konar, Thomas Spoletini

Key additions: Seye Farinu, Blake Gau

The return of Cassama and Doll helps solidify what was probably the most significant question mark on the team. Doll, who will return to his long-snapping duties as well, comes back to the Dinos after being drafted in the fourth round, 28^th overall, of this spring’s CFL draft. He attended Ottawa’s training camp and spent some time on the practice roster before returning to Calgary. Cassama, a 2013 All-Canadian, elected to come back for his final year of eligibility. That pair joins a young group of up-and-comers including Micah Teitz and Brad Friesen, along with new recruits that will hope to crack the travel roster.

Harris: “We were concerned that maybe we’d have to replace four guys at linebacker, but getting Tanner Doll and Doc Cassama back will solidify our linebacking corps. Micah Teitz had some reps last year and showed some promise, and we have some other young guys that have been in our program for a year or two now that will get the chance to demonstrate what they can do during camp.”

SECONDARY

Key returnees: Michael Schmidt, Robert Woodson, Elie Bouka, Cyril Iwanegbe, Adam Laurensse

Key losses: None.

Key additions: Cody Ouejan, Jeremie Cheng

The secondary boasts speed, talent, and experience, with three returning All-Canadians in Cyril Iwanegbe, Adam Laurensse, and Elie Bouka. Iwanegbe missed much of the 2014 season with an injury but is ready to get back on the field. Every starter from last season is back, but the depth has only improved through recruiting – so look for plenty of competition through training camp.

Harris: “We have three guys that have been All-Canadians at some point in their careers. Elie Bouka had an outstanding season last year, as did Adam Laurensse at corner. Cyril Iwanegbe was injured early in the season last year and he’s back – then you add Woodson on the strong side, and we can solidify the other corner with competition throughout camp.”