TC 2010: West Recap Day #1

June 06, 2010
BCLions.com Staff

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — After four days of BC Lions rookie camp, the entire squad of Leo hopefuls hit the field Sunday morning for the first of two practices on the opening day of training camp in Kamloops.

The Lions released six players on Saturday afternoon, including defensive linemen Abraham Wright and Scott McCuaig, defensive back Mike McEachern, linebackers Geno Johnson and Andy Shantz, and running back Mickey Dean.

In keeping with the annual training camp tradition, weather conditions that ranged from torrential downpours earlier in the week to sun on Friday afternoon leveled off on Sunday morning as clouds and breezy conditions greeted 78 Lion hopefuls.

Sunday morning’s session was a marathon affair, running more than two and a half hours in length. As noted by many in attendance, both no-huddle and team sessions were more up-tempo than in recent years.

PRACTICE NOTES:

In addition to directing traffic among fellow second team receivers during the morning session, slotback Matt Chapdelaine had a couple of nice catches over the middle where others are reluctant to tread.

Not to be outdone on defence, safety Tad Crawford notched a highlight reel interception during the morning team session while fellow safety candidates J.R. LaRose and Jason Arakgi notched picks of their own in the afternoon as did rookie Dominique Williams.

A slimmed-down Jeremy Gibbs showed some impressive speed at defensive end during the second practice after sitting out the first round of on-field action.

On the offensive side of the ball, Jamal Robertson demonstrated why he was such a significant off-season acquisition with some remarkable runs during the inside run and team sessions, one of which drew applause from the sizable crowd in attendance at Hillside Stadium. Not to be outdone, fullback Jamall Lee kicked off his first CFL training camp with another big run during the team session.

DISAGREEMENTS:

Notable one-on-one scuffles included centre Dean Valli and linebacker James Yurichuk in the morning practice and some heated fisticuffs between receiver Darius Passmore and halfback Darren Toney.

WATCHING:

Richard Jones (hamstring), Anton McKenzie (hamstring), Robert Jordan (ankle), Dominic Bolden (knee).

FOOD FARE:

Always a popular feature in training camp reports is the daily menu review. Lunch at Thompson Rivers University consisted of chicken and beef burgers, pasta salad and an assortment of cookies and other sweet treats. Dinner featured a hearty Italian feast of spaghetti, rotini, garlic bread and salad.

SPOTTED:

BC Lions president and CEO Dennis Skulsky is in Kamloops over the weekend for his first training camp as the Lions’ top executive.

QUOTABLE:

“Somone better get knocked out.” – defensive assistant coach Barron Miles after consecutive long runs by Toddrick Pendland and Yonus Davis.

NEXT UP: Monday, June 7 – two sessions (8:20 am – 10:55 am & 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm). Click here for more information about 2010 BC Lions Training Camp.

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Esks.com Staff

EDMONTON — Day one of the 2010 Training Camp opened up with Fan Day. Approximately 2000 die hard Green and Gold fans came out to support their favourite team and to get a glimpse of the 2010 stock. The day was full of fun family activities including entertainment by the Eskimo Pep Band, who could be heard playing a number of fan favourites including a few from The Ramones and the Eskimo Fight Song!

Former Esks and Argos slotback Mookie Mitchell is at the 2010 Training Camp working with former teammate and Eskimo Head Scout Ed Hervey.

Andrew Nowacki’s distinctive green shoes have his new daughter’s name, Everly Love, and his jersey number stitched on the heels. Everly was born on April 14th of this year and is the love of Andrew and his wife Erica’s lives.

Several Eskimo fans were at the field bright and early to do some Opening Day tailgating. Stocked with Tim Horton’s coffee and donuts and even a grill for eggs and bacon, the tailgaters were visited by several of the Eskimo staff including General Manager and Director of Football Operations Danny Maciocia and new play by play voice Morley Scott.

Following practice the entire team met with the large crowd of fans who gathered at the fences to sign autographs and take pictures. “The fans are what we’re all about,” says Eskimo OL Patrick Kabongo. “They come and watch us year after year and stay by our side no matter what. Fan Day is just our little way of saying thank you.”

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Stampeders.com Staff

CALGARY — The Stampeders took the field for the opening of main camp on Sunday and head coach and general manager John Hufnagel was generally pleased with what he witnessed.

“I saw a lot of enthusiasm,” said Hufnagel after the morning session. “I saw a lot of athleticism out there and guys working hard. It really was an excellent first practice.

“We’re just trying to learn the basics right now. We will be a little bit accelerated at the end of this week to get the players who are going to Edmonton (on June 13 for the pre-season opener) ready to play a football game.”

The boss was equally pleased with the afternoon practice, although he did note that the quarterbacks were more accurate in the morning session. There were for more positives than negatives, however.

“I like our two new veterans on the offensive line,” said Hufnagel, referring to Dan Comiskey and Matt Sheridan. “I thought they did a nice job. They were able to move the line of scrimmage. Our defence was very athletic. Our receivers were making nice plays down the field and I like how Drew (Tate) threw the football. There were a lot of good things.”

BIG DADDY’S BACK

Back in the ’90s, if you wanted to get Marvin Pope’s attention, a loud and clear cry of “Big Daddy” would do the trick.

“Yeah, especially Peewee Smith,” laughed Pope. “He was always calling me ‘Big Daddy.’ ”

During the current Calgary training camp, however, Pope is answering to a different name.

“For some reason, it’s ‘Coach’ now,” he said with a chuckle. “It sounds a little different, but it sounds good.”

Pope, a two-time West Division all-star linebacker with the Stamps during a six-year playing career that ended in 1997, is serving as a guest linebackers coach during camp.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s my first time out at a professional camp in this position, so I’m learning a lot. The last two or three years, I wanted to get back into football. I talked to Huff and he said there might be an opportunity here for me to guest-coach and so I’m here now.”

SAM’S THE MAN

Receiver P.K. Sam, an off-season acquisition from the Toronto Argonauts, made a favourable first impression on his first day or work as Stampeder.

“I’ve really enjoyed how quickly he’s picked up a new offence,” said head coach/general manager John hufnagel. “He acts like he’s been here for a coupel of years. He knows what he’s doing and he’s a very intelligent young man. He’s tall, he’s strong and he has good speed.

“There was an example this morning where he ran an out route and the DB was right on him, but he just used his size and body to make the play. That will be a benefit.”

PLAY OF THE DAY

Rookie Ronald Keels made the highlight catch of the first day as he outjumped his opponent to make a spectacular grab.

TRANSACTIONS

The Stamps added non-import fullback Guillaume Senecal and import linebacker Greg Trent.

INJURIES

Non-import defensive lineman Osie Ukwuoma (knee) and import defensive lineman Eugene Kinlaw (knee) both missed the afternoon practice and are day-to-day. Non-import receiver Johnny Forzani (hamstring) missed both practices and is day-to-day. Receivers Ryan Thelwell (Achilles) and Ken-Yon Rambo (knee) and linebacker Marc Calixte (knee) remain on the disabled list.

SCHEDULE

The Stamps are on the field for two sessions on Monday, June 7. Practices run from 9:05 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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Riderville.com Staff

REGINA — The following is the Day 1 report from the 2010 Saskatchewan Roughrider Training Camp.

PLAY OF THE DAY: Quarterback Cole Bergquist connected with wide receiver Chris Getzlaf on a deep pass downfield. The play received a round of thundering applause from the hundreds of fans that turned out to watch the first day of Rider training camp.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Players will meet with their positional coaches and continue learning the playbook at Luther College.

MONDAY: Players and coaches will once again hit the practice field at Mosaic Stadium for Day 2 of training camp with two practice sessions beginning at 8:15 am.

ROSTER MOVES
DELETE OL Jonathan St-Pierre
ADD WR Obed Cetoute

INJURIES
WR Weston Dressler (ankle) day to day
DB Lance Frazier (heel) day to day
DL Josh Miller (shoulder) day to day
DB Brandon Register (groin) day to day
LB Kye Stewart (knee) day to day