Calgary Dinos Training Camp Preview: Offence

The Calgary offence was a potent one in 2011, leading the conference in scoring (37.4 points/game), total offence (499.2 yards/game), rushing (265 yards/game), and first downs (28/game). That offence loses three All-Canadians in offensive lineman Reed Alexander along with running backs Matt Walter and Anthony Woodson, but those losses were mitigated somewhat with the unexpected return of both offensive tackles, Kirby Fabien and Carson Rockhill. Both were top-13 draft picks in last May’s CFL Canadian Draft, but both elected to come back to finish their education.

In his second year with the team, offensive coordinator Greg DeLaval expects another balanced, explosive offensive output from the Dinos in 2012.

“I think we have a good core group of athletes coming back, and keeping those two tackles for another year is huge,” said DeLaval. “We analyzed the whole 2011 season and where the ball was going. We relied heavily on the run, and the passing game really favoured Chris (Dobko). This year what we’ve done is design the offence to spread the ball around, and we want to be 50-50 pass-to-run. We want the quarterback running the ball, we want the tailback running the ball, and we want all our receivers catching the ball.”

“I’m excited about the offence,” said Nill. “We made a decision this year to make a few changes to give us a little more of a pass threat, and teams are going to see that we have a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball. You won’t be able to identify and take away just one guy because we’re going to have options to go to throughout the offence – and it’s hard to overstate how beneficial it is to have both those tackles back.”

Quarterback

Key returnees: Eric Dzwilewski, Andrew Buckley, Jimmy Underdahl

Key losses: None

Key additions: None

Eric Dzwilewski, the 2010 CIS rookie of the year, is back for his third season at pivot brimming with confidence after attending the Calgary Stampeders’ training camp in June. The most accurate starting quarterback in the conference last season with a 60.2 per cent completion rate, Dzwilewski is a dual threat out of the backfield – as was evidenced in last year’s Hardy Cup game where he set a CIS record for quarterbacks by scoring four rushing touchdowns in the Dinos’ 62-13 win over UBC.

Right behind Dzwilewski are a pair of sophomores in Andrew Buckley and Jimmy Underdahl, both of whom bring different looks and both of whom could also see action in the 2012 season.

Coach DeLaval: “Eric has all kinds of confidence after 30 days with the Stampeders in their camp, and you see him taking charge. It’s sometimes easy to forget that he’s just going into his third year, but his confidence and maturity level are continuing to improve. He has been an impact player here, only losing three games in two years as a starter – but he also has two really good guys behind him to push him. Andrew Buckley probably knows the offence better than anybody, and Jimmy Underdahl is right there too. We have three solid quarterbacks on the depth chart and I’m comfortable with all three of them.”

Running Back

Key returnee: Steven Lumbala

Key losses: Matt Walter, Anthony Woodson

Key additions: Mercer Timmis, Cuong Thai Lieu

Since Nill’s arrival in 2006, the Dinos have churned up more than 11,000 rushing yards in 48 conference games – that’s an average of nearly 230 yards per game for six years. Last season the Dinos averaged 265 yards on the ground thanks to the three-headed running monster of Steven Lumbala, Matt Walter, and Anthony Woodson. It was a unique situation that brought with it its own challenges – “I think all three could have competed for the Hec Crighton last year if they were the only one on the field,” said DeLaval – but Lumbala was the feature back from start to finish and finished second in the conference rushing race by just 13 yards, despite carrying the ball 64 fewer times than top-ranked Adrian Charles out of Regina.

With the emphasis on the run well-established, it was no surprise that Nill landed one of the top running back recruits in the country in Mercer Timmis, late of Canesius High School in upstate New York. Blessed with size, speed, and a competitive streak, Timmis helped Canada defeat the USA at this summer’s world junior football championship.

Cuong Thai Lieu, who returns to the Dinos after some impressive seasons with the Calgary Colts, rounds out this year’s edition of the three-headed running monster.

Coach DeLaval: “Steven Lumbala earned the starting spot last year and it’s great to have him back – and then you add Mercer Timmis, who could be one of the biggest tailbacks in CIS. He loves to play and he loves to compete, and with Lumbala and Cuong Thai Lieu here they’ll all compete and make each other better.”

Receivers

Key returnees: Richard Snyder, Jake Harty, Chris Dobko, Adam Ballingall

Key losses: Matt Little

Key additions: Elie Bouka, Brett Blaszko, Mac Sarro, Coel Bazinet

The Dinos return virtually the entire receiving corps in 2012, save departed wideout Matt Little. With veteran experience and a solid group of new targets, Calgary’s passing game should be bolstered after averaging 234 yards per game in the air last season.

Chris Dobko was Dzwilewski’s leading target in 2011 with 56 receptions and eight TDs over the eight-game regular campaign, the only Dino in the conference’s top 10 in both catches and receiving yards. Richard Snyder has demonstrated his capacity to be a game-changer before, while Jake Harty also returns for a second season with the program.

Among the newcomers, Elie Bouka turned heads at spring camp with his explosive speed and soft hands, while Brett Blaszko is a highly-touted product of Corpus Christi High School in Burlington, Ont. They’re joined by Mac Sarro, a big body who transfers from the Calgary Colts junior program, along with local product Coel Bazinet from Notre Dame High School.

Nill also expects big things out of several of his receivers in the return game. “We’re looking for special teams to really improve and become more of a weapon this year,” he said. “Jake Harty is back from injury and he’ll be a force back there, while Bouka gives us instant speed.”

Coach DeLaval: “We’ve really added depth at receiver this year. Elie Bouka will be an impact player right away, Mac Sarro is physically ready to compete at this level, and Brett Blaszko is a 6-foot-4 guy with good speed that runs good routes and he’ll be competing for a spot. Ballingall played in the national semifinal last year and has that experience, while Coel Bazinet is another 6-foot-4 guy who’s going to compete.”

Offensive Line

Key returnees: Kirby Fabien, Quinn McCaughan, Carson Rockhill

Key losses: Reed Alexander

Key additions: Connor Bryan, Ben Prcic, Jordan Filippelli, Jacob Mickelson

All-Canadian Kirby Fabien will anchor the right side of the offensive line while Carson Rockhill will man the opposite edge, giving the Dinos two top-13 CFL picks along the line of scrimmage – a luxury even some CFL teams don’t have. Fabien was drafted in the first round, seventh overall by the B.C. Lions, while Rockhill went six picks later to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The big story is the return of the tackles, but McCaughan was the second team All-Canadian at centre last season. Sean McEwen stepped in and made an impact in his rookie campaign last year, and together that group paved the way for the Dinos to put up more the 2100 rushing yards and provided protection for Dzwilewski to quarterback the offence to nearly 500 yards per game. The lone change along the line is the departure of the graduated Reed Alexander, who provided maturity and leadership to the group and was one of the team’s captains.

The return of Fabien and Rockhill provides instant depth for the Dinos and gives the likes of McEwen, Branden Stevens, and Braden Schram that much more time to develop into everyday players. Looking a couple years down the road, Nill brought in another solid group of recruits.

Coach Nill: “I’ve often said that the offensive line is my pride and joy, and we have another great group this year. Obviously having Kirby and Carson back is important, and that gives us plenty of depth and options. Branden Stevens and Braden Schram are going to battle for a starting job this year, and then there are some recruits who might not play in 2012 but will have an impact for us down the road. Ben Prcic, Jordan Filippelli, Connor Bryan and Jacob Mickelson are guys to watch in the future for this program.”

Kickers

Key returnee: Johnny Mark

Key loss: None

Key additions: Brett Blaszko

Johnny Mark was the leading scorer in Canada West with 87 points in his freshman season, converting 17 of his 19 field goal tries and earning second team All-Canadian status. He pulled double duty as the punter with a 35.9-yard average, though there may be competition at that position with the addition of Blaszko to the lineup. The 6-foot-4 receiver was an all-star punter in high school.

Coach Nill: “Brett is big and athletic, and that really gives us some options back there.”