Regina Ram taken first overall in CFL Canadian Draft
By Josh Bell-Webster,
CFL.ca
Regina Rams fans may secretly be rooting for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this upcoming season.
With star receiver Chris Bauman being chosen first overall by the Tabbies in Wednesday’s CFL Canadian Draft, there is no doubt Rams fans will have a rooting interest to see how he performs at the professional level.
“Going first overall was the biggest surprise ever,” admitted Bauman. “I knew I was going to be taken at some point.”
“Luckily I didn’t have to wait long at all.”
Bauman led all CIS receivers in 2006 with 923 receiving yards on 42 catches, including 10 touchdowns.
For the last couple of weeks Bauman thought his destiny would take him to Edmonton or Calgary, who had selections right after Hamilton. However, those clubs never got the opportunity at selecting the Brandon, Manitoba native.
As an added bonus, Bauman will see a familiar face when he joins the Ticats at training camp. Rams teammate Chris Getzlaf was taken in the fifth round by Hamilton.
“I’m happy for him. He deserves it. I thought he’d be taken earlier (by Winnipeg) but it’s good for him. It’s going to make it a lot easier both of us going through this again. We both went through the combine together, and now this. It’s going to be fun.”
Being chosen No. 1 means that Bauman will have a bullseye on his back.
“I think there is going to be a lot of pressure, especially on a rebuilding team,” said Bauman. “They’ve picked me first overall, so I have to come in and show that I belong here.”
The good news for Bauman is that the opportunity should be there for some immediate playing time given the state of the 4-14 Ticats.
“Everyone’s in the same boat right now,” admitted Bauman. “We’re all going to be learning a new offence. It’s going to be good. It’s going to be fun.”
There isn’t much time for the news to sink in for Bauman, as training camp opens later this month.
“I just got to work that much harder, now that I’ve gone first overall,” said Bauman. “I have to come into camp in the best shape I can and be ready to compete.”
