Calgary Dinos Training Camp Preview: Defence

As the Dinos move into their third season with a 3-4 defence that allows the team to put speed on the field, it’s all about progressing and continuing to develop the defensive scheme.

“We’ve hung tough with this defence – we’ve had some challenges, but plenty of positive results from it,” said Nill. “We’re able to play this defence because we’re solid up the middle, and that allows us to get more speed on the field. As long as we’re able to control the run game, which is always a big part of Canada West, there’s no reason to turn back now.”

The departure of Sam Hurl to the Saskatchewan Roughriders is the most significant loss for the entire team, and the two-time Canada West player of the year is having a solid rookie campaign in the CFL. Sophomore Cory Roboch likely steps into Hurl’s middle linebacker position, and the return of Jordan Verdone after being drafted by the B.C. Lions will certainly help shore up the middle of the defence. Up front, it’s led by All-Canadian tackle Linden Gaydosh, who will look to have a big season with his CFL draft year coming up, while the secondary is a veteran group with a pair of fifth-year seniors in halfback Tye Noble and safety Wyatt Getty.

“I don’t believe we really have many changes of significance, other than replacing Sam,” said Nill. “Up the middle we’ll be very strong with guys like Verdone and Gaydosh back, and then it’s a matter of filling some of the holes left by graduating seniors. I think we have the depth to do that.”

Defensive Line

Key returnees: Linden Gaydosh, Martin Kalonji, Josh Symons, Michael Klassen, Alex Ogbongbemiga

Key losses: Kyle Carbert, Mike Forzani

Key additions: Zach Jenkins

The Dinos had the best run defence in the conference last year, giving up just 117 yards per game along the ground – and the lion’s share of the defensive line returns, along with some compelling new faces.

Linden Gaydosh anchors the veteran line that will get a boost with the return of fifth-year senior Josh Symons to the lineup after a medical redshirt season in 2011. Gaydosh is likely to draw some significant CFL interest when the draft rolls around in May and will be looking for a repeat All-Canadian performance. That tandem is joined by Martin Kalonji and Michael Klassen, along with returning University of Houston transfer Alex Ogbongbemiga, who has had a full year to develop and learn the system and the Canadian game.

Zach Jenkins from Beyer High School in Modesto, Calif. was his conference’s defensive player of the year in 2011 and elected to come north of the border to pursue his education and football career. Standing 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, the 18-year-old brings his size and speed to the Dinos’ defensive line and will look to make an immediate contribution.

Coach Nill: “I’m looking for a couple of guys to step up this year. Alex Ogbongbemiga has made strides and is a very good athlete, and we’re hoping he can play a more significant role this year. And Zach Jenkins is going to garner some interest as well – he runs very well, and he will certainly be the kind of guy who’s going to come in and compete right away.”

Linebackers

Key returnees: Jordan Verdone, Cory Roboch, Zach McNeill, Thomas Spoletini

Key losses: Sam Hurl

Key additions: Maddix Fabien

Losing Hurl to the CFL does leave a void in the middle of the Calgary linebacking corps, but Verdone’s return mitigates that loss to some extent. After returning from the B.C. Lions camp, Verdone will stay in his sam linebacker spot with the Dinos, with fifth-year senior Zach McNeill at the rover position.

Cory Roboch, who had an impressive debut on the field last season with three sacks and a conference-leading four forced fumbles, and the Bowness High School grad will step into Hurl’s middle linebacker position when camp opens. Thomas Spoletini and Mike Edem – like Hurl, both converted DBs – will duke it out for the starter’s job on the weak side, while sophomore Tanner Doll was part of Canada’s world U20 championship team this summer and will push for playing time as well.

Among the new faces to join the linebackers this year is Maddix Fabien, the younger brother of offensive tackle Kirby, who starred at St. Francis and makes the short trip to McMahon.

Coach Nill: “Cory Roboch is a Hurl-type athlete who physically has a lot of parallels to Sam, and we’re going to try him in that position. At the same time, Mike Edem moves up to linebacker from the secondary, and he’ll give us very good speed and ability to cover on the outside. One of the biggest competitions in camp will be at that will linebacker spot between Mike and Tom Spoletini. Both are former DBs, and again I think the addition of that speed will be beneficial for us.”

Secondary

Key returnees: Tye Noble, Doctor Cassama, Wyatt Getty

Key losses: Michael Lau, Chudi Nzekwu

Key additions: Hunter Turnbull, Carson Stambene

A pair of fifth-year seniors, halfback Tye Noble and safety Wyatt Getty, anchors a defensive backfield that has plenty of experience. Noble and Getty enjoy the rare distinction of appearing in four national semi-finals in their four seasons so far, and along with halfback Doctor Cassama provide significant strength in the middle for the Dinos secondary.

On the outside, the Dinos must replace corners Michael Lau and Chudi Nzekwu, both of whom graduated last year. Veterans John Kadiebwe and Jamahl Knowles will battle for time at those spots, while a couple of newcomers will also look to make their marks. Hunter Turnbull is a highly-touted product of Henry Wise Wood with speed to burn – he ran competitive track as well – and Nill was effusive in his praise for the freshman. Another player to watch for is St. Francis’ Carson Stambene, whose father Joe who was part of three straight Hardy Cup titles and a pair of Vanier Cup championships for the Dinos in the mid-1980s.

Coach Nill: “It has been a while since we’ve had a core group together in the secondary, but I think we’re there this year. We’ll be looking for a lot from guys like Tye Noble and Wyatt Getty, and having Doc Cassama back give us some more options. But one of the guys that I’m sure is going to turn heads is Hunter Turnbull. We first identified him three years ago, and he has come right up through the Calgary minor system. If any freshman can come in and play right away, I think it will be Hunter.”