By: Justin Boone
jboone@ticats.ca
Get to know the name Samuel Giguere.
The 6-foot, 215-pound receiver out of Sherbrooke, Quebec turned heads in Toronto this weekend at the CFL’s Evaluation Camp posting the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.49 sec), the highest vertical jump (42 inches), and the quickest shuttle run (4.1 sec).
On top of his eyebrow raising numbers, Giguere haunted defensive backs in the one on one drills, beating them deep twice and making a series of short catches, including a one-handed sideline snare.
While some players may have been nervous about their performance, Giguere exuded confidence, and even engaged in a little verbal jousting with a couple of the defensive backs. A move that was intended to “throw them off their game,” he admitted later.
The question now is whether the Ticats want to implement the Detroit Lions draft philosophy and begin taking receivers with their first round picks.
- The Ticats brain trust has openly admitted that receiver is high on their list of wants before training camp gets underway, and this year’s crop of pass catchers featured a few very bright spots. Aaron Hargreaves (Simon Fraser) used his height (6-foot-4), to create separation in the match-ups, and moved well for a big man. Terry Firr showed his athleticism and focus, coming off of his Vanier Cup winning season at Manitoba. Firr was the easiest player to locate all weekend long, with a rockstar-esque array of tattoos.
- A pair of Firr’s teammates also had strong showings over the weekend. Defensive linemen Justin Shaw and Justin Cooper helped their draft stock by giving scouts a chance to see their work ethic. Cooper is a never-say-die pass rusher, whose motor had him hounding offensive lineman on Sunday morning. Shaw has a larger frame to work with, but still moves very fluidly, which may help if he is moved to outside linebacker in the pros, a move he thinks might happen.
- After the Hamilton Spectator wrote an article on defensive back Dylan Barker, fans all want to know whether the Tabbies will take him first overall to help the growth of their secondary. Barker tested extremely well, with good times in the 40 (4.54 sec) and the Shuttle (4.22). His coverage skills were slightly above average, but he would likely play safety in the pros, a position that doesn’t require him to be a shutdown coverman.
- At linebacker, two players who came from storied programs were set themselves apart. Tim St. Pierre (St. Mary’s), a native of Hamilton, was aggressive and relentless in his drills, while Shea Emry (U.B.C) was one of the most intense athletes on the field, showing his competitive spirit every step of the way.
- Brady Browne (Manotoba), may have tested with the DB’s but he looked more like a linebacker or even a defensive lineman. Browne lifted the 225-pound bench press 27 times and wasn’t afraid to mix it up and create contact with receivers off the line.
- Two surprises were offensive lineman Hubert Buydens (Saskatchewan), for his solid footwork, specifically for his ability to keep rushers away from the quarterback in one on ones. Running back Mike Giffin (Queen’s) might not be the best ball carrier in the group, but he was arguably the best blocker among this years crop.
For complete coverage of the 2008 CFL Canadian Draft, make sure to check out Ticats TV and the Ticats Newsroom in the coming weeks leading up to the draft.
