Thursday, June 1, 2006
Rouge, White & Blue
By Jack B. Bedell,
CFL.ca
Well, Week 1 of training camp is in the books all across the league,
and if it’s any indication of how the season is going to turn out, we
may be in for a wild ride. There have already been a few shocking
releases and a ton of competitions running closer than expected.
Reading all the daily camp reports, I have to admit I’m really
impressed with the number and depth of talented players on each team.
Whether it’s Winnipeg’s battle at defensive end, B.C.’s middle
linebacker auditions, Calgary’s receiving derby, or Edmonton’s evolving
offensive line, this year’s camps are full of intrigue.
You can chalk it up to contraction or just an influx of solid free
agents in 2006, but one thing’s for sure: with only one cut down date,
there will be some serious talent on the streets come June 10. By
themselves, the Als have given us a great headstart on the All-Cut team
with their releases, and it’s still May!
ALL RICKY, ALL DAY, 24/7
Just in case you haven’t gotten enough of the Ricky Williams story over
the past few days, I thought I’d chime in with my two loonies’ worth.
As the only person in a very crowded bar to cheer when my hometown New
Orleans Saints traded their entire 1999 draft away (and some of 2000 as
well) to the Washington Redskins for the rights to select Ricky, I’m
still cheering for him, even after all the trouble he’s found himself
in the last couple of seasons. And here’s why.
While I can’t argue any of the socio-political ramifications of
bringing Ricky to the CFL, I can say that I’m extremely eager to see
how his talent translates to our game. Ricky’s a big, downhill back
coming to a league where shiftier backs, a la Charles Roberts, have had
great success. I can’t wait to see what impact he’ll have on the Argo’s
rushing attack, which has been less than stellar recently. And I really
want to read what’s shown/said down here when CFL defences show their
talents against Williams.
My heart wishes Ricky Williams, and the league, well while this
scenario plays out. My head tells me Ricky will need more of a crease
than Toronto’s line has provided of late to dominate in the CFL like he
did in the NFL on occasion.
DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING
After a spotty start in 2005, the Als’ defence played fairly well down
the stretch, especially in their two playoff victories. There was a
good bit of tinkering in terms of scheme and personnel, but the group
managed to come together enough to come within one down of a Grey Cup
victory in Vancouver.
So a little more tinkering and they head into 2006 on a roll, right? Uh, no. That just wouldn’t be Mr. Popp and the Don’s style.
Prior to camp Robert Brown, Reggie Durden, Almondo Curry, and Kelly
Malveaux were shipped off in trades. Then during the first week of
training camp three more defensive stalwarts caught the axe. In a move
that shocked me only slightly less than it did the players involved,
Jeremiah Garrison, Mookie Tugbenyoh, and John Nix were shown the door.
Nix and Brown were expendable after the acquisitions of Dario Romero
and Jerome Haywood. Tugbenyoh lost ground, and probably his job, to Kai
Ellis. Garrison leaves a bit more of a question mark, though, with
Dwayne Taylor the likely candidate to fill the position.
In a division heavy on offence these days, seven out of twelve new
starters is certainly one way to go, but I can’t say I expected it in
Montreal.
SAW THAT COMING LIKE A TRAIN
I can say I expected Onterrio Smith to have a few problems in Winnipeg.
After missing snaps for over a calendar year and picking up a couple
dozen inactivity pounds, it’s only natural for a player’s body to break
down. Smith’s foot injury and the subsequent damage it’s doing to his
bid to land a spot on the Bombers’ roster might as well have been
scripted for me.
I’m also on record as saying I didn’t think Quincy Carter had any
interest in sticking around to fight for the Als’ third pivot spot. His
groin injury and sudden, ‘performance-related’ departure happened
quicker than I thought it might, but there was little doubt in my mind
he was behind the eight ball trying to unseat Nealon Greene and Marcus
Brady. In fact, I was much more surprised by Ryan Dinwiddie’s release
than Carter’s.
On the positive side, it’s been a joy hearing all of the good reports
coming out of camp on a few of the players I mentioned a couple of
weeks ago as possible impact free agents — Lee Woodall, Scotty
Anderson, and Jerome Haywood. I know it’s early, and anything can
happen, but I’m pulling for these guys to keep it up.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
As much as offences around the league have benefited from new additions
this off-season, it’s the defensive side of the ball where I’m most
interested to see the results of new faces in new places.
The main reason I haven’t hazarded any defensive rankings to this point
has been the number and degree of changes from team to team. While a
team like Calgary has had relative stability and is a little easier to
read, others are in the process of major personnel changes.
Here’s my short list of changes I have to see in action this preseason
before I’ve got a handle on which defences are ready for primetime:
1) Saskatchewan and B.C.’s MLB situations
2) Winnipeg’s new-look secondary
3) Montreal and Toronto’s D-lines
4) Edmonton’s pass rush
UP NEXT
Check back after the weekend for a few thoughts on the first round of
pre-season games and a quick look at cuts that are bound to happen.
Until then, take care and enjoy the games.
Jack B. Bedell is a Professor of English at Southeastern Louisiana
University in Hammond, Louisiana and has followed the CFL for nearly
three decades.
(The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily of the Canadian Football League)
