Eskimos defensive end suggests this year’s batch of recruits should go into draft like a job interview
By Scott Petersen,
Edmonton Journal
EDMONTON – Adam Braidwood had no idea he was such a wanted man back in Canada.
The draft buzz hit the towering defensive end when he returned home to Delta, B.C. after his final year at Washington State University.
As he crossed the border, he morphed from borderline NFL training camp fodder to potential CFL stud and a sought-after media interview.
The Edmonton Eskimos made the evolution complete by taking Braidwood first overall in the 2006 Canadian College Football Draft and inking him to a contract. He’s so far lived up to the advanced billing.
“(It’s) huge,” said Maciocia of getting an impact Canadian like Braidwood, who started 10 games in his rookie season. “We got ourselves a pretty good football player that’s all of 22, 23 years old. It was extremely important for us to give him a chance at some point to get out there and play as often as he did, and we did after we released Joe Montford. So for us, it was huge.”
The Eskimos own the second and 10th overall selections in the 2007 draft today. If they keep the picks, they’ll hope to nab players who can have a similar impact on games.
Braidwood had 20 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble he returned for a touchdown in his debut season. And while that was good enough to earn him top Eskimos rookie honours, he didn’t find it all that impressive himself.
“It was OK,” said Braidwood. “I have really high expectations of myself and I definitely have a lot to improve on and that’s why I have been training as hard as I have been this whole off-season. I plan on coming in next season and being a lot better.”
Those are the kind of words that make coaches dizzy with excitement. Braidwood feels like he spent a little too much time running around off the field last year and plans to stick around home more this time around, focusing his energies and time on football.
It’s part of the learning curve of turning pro. He was told about the level of play, longer season and endless practices, but had to feel it all for himself to fully understand.
“I was surprised at the level of play for sure, and just the knowledge,” said Braidwood. “Guys had so much experience that you kind of feel like an infant. I thought I had a pretty decent grasp on the game, but I’ve definitely learned a lot more for sure.”
The draft has popped back up onto Braidwood’s radar again, though under an entirely different set of circumstances. A total of four team nominees for rookie of the year came out of the 2006 draft class — the most since 1992 — showing the impact it can have. And though this is billed as a weak draft year, he’s curious about who the Eskimos will nab and if they’ll offer immediate help.
He also has some advice to pass on to those 47 players lucky enough to be drafted out of the 910 players available.
“Just take it very seriously,” he said. “It’s a job interview. It’s a professional business and just because you get drafted doesn’t mean you’re going to make the team, so train hard and come in prepared to play.
“You have to really know your stuff and there’s a lot to learn. You have to take it seriously, get in your playbook and everyday come out ready to work.”
As for his own future, Braidwood is signed through the next two seasons. Then he plans to re-evaluate his shot at the NFL once more.
ESK-CETERA: The draft can be followed online at www.cfl.ca … Top players whose stock could be affected by NFL interest include OL Mike Gyetvai, WR Jabari Arthur, DL J.P. Bekasiak and DL Corey Mace, who signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills Monday.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
A look at the Edmonton Eskimos draft picks from the 2006 Canadian College Football Draft:
RD 1 — Adam Braidwood, DE, Washington State: Impressed in 10 starts on defensive line in rookie season and got increasingly better. Recorded four sacks, 20 tackles and a fumble recovery for touchdown.
RD 2 — Jason Nugent, S, Rutgers: Entered draft after tearing ACL previous season, which dropped his stock. Rehabbed it most of year. Traded to Winnipeg in March for DL Ron Warner.
RD 3 — Dwayne Mundle, LB, West Virginia: Attended camp and was cut.
RD 3 — Mike Williams, DE, Boise State: Returned to Boise State and started 10 of 13 games. Lethbridge product has retired, according to Eskimos.
RD 4 — Andrew Brown, LB, Lafayette: Attended camp and was cut.
RD 4 — J.P. Abraham, LB, Laval: Made club and active for nine games. Recorded one special teams tackle.
RD 5 — Nicolas Bisaillon, RB, Laval: Attended training camp but returned to Laval for a CIS championship season. Traded to Hamilton in February as part of package for DB Jason Goss.
RD 6 — Grieg Longchamps, OL, Montreal: Attended camp and returned to Montreal for final year CIS eligibility. Still on roster of players.
