By Kristen Odland,
Calgary Herald
The University grind might be weeks away, but middle linebacker Andrea Bonaventura is eager returning to Blake Nill’s Dinos boot camp.
Apparently, Bonaventura isn’t the only one. He’s one of eight University of Calgary players who transferred from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax where Nill spent eight years before assuming the helm of the Dinos in 2006 — all came west for one reason.
“They find that this is the turn-around program,” said the 21-year-old, after Day 1 of the Dinos fall camp on Friday. “They think this is their best chance to win the Vanier Cup, which is the most important thing to us as football players, but also to get an education here in Calgary.
“Now, I have people that have the same mentality as me . . . all the guys here have one thing on their mind, is to win. Everyone is on the same page.”
Bonaventura spent a year and a half with the Huskies and followed the two-time Vanier Cup-winning coach for the 2006-07 season.
He was redshirted last year, staying out of action for eligibility reasons when the Dinos went 2-6 in Canada West conference play.
“(Nill)’s a player’s coach,” said Bonaventura a native of Hamilton, Ont., whose brother Joe was a former Calgary Stampeder who also played for Nill. “If a player is in need, he’ll do anything to help us out.”
Bonaventura is joined by former SMU players linebacker Julian Simmerling and offensive lineman Dave Pezzaniti.
But mostly it’s defensive co-ordinator John Stevens reaping the benefits of Nill’s continuing East Coast movement.
He’ll boss veterans Tim Burris, Deji Oduwole, Curtis Woodley, Brandon Rockhill and Sean Yeulet — former Huskies turned Dinos expected to bolster the defence.
“It’s one of the things you never have enough of is good experienced players,” pointed out Stevens.
“Tim Burris is an experienced interior defensive lineman and Curtis Woodley is a good, experienced defensive back so, in both of those positions for us, they play a vital role.
“In terms of our depth, our previous depth, we needed a little bit of help and/or some experienced help in those positions. So, they’ll both be in a position to help us out right away.”
Burris — no relation to Henry — was a first-year starter for Nill’s 2002 national championship team that demolished the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 33-21 for the Vanier Cup after going 9-2.
“This program has been down for a little bit and I consider myself a veteran player,” added the 27-year-old nose tackle. “I wanted to be a part of a team that’s on the up and up, and I think I can contribute right away.”
Based on experience and depth, their D-line is expected to considerably improve this 2007-08 Canadian Interuniversity Sport season.
Through the week, the 100 players sweating through practice will be whittled down to 70 before their first clash — an away game Aug. 31 against Simon Fraser.
The Dinos continue training today with two-a-days running from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., while team practices begin Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at the University of Calgary.
