By: Justin Boone
jboone@ticats.ca
Change is a word the Tiger-Cats organization is welcoming in 2008.
It’s not just about a remodeling a roster that was sub-par in several areas last season, or re-designing the systems on both sides of the ball. It’s about altering the culture that surrounds the club, something that has been slowly evolving the last few years and building chemistry, which has been lacking in seasons past.
For two veterans, the 2008 campaign starts off not only with a change, but a complete transformation.
Living On The Edge
In the off-season, Kori Dickerson received a phone call from a man he had never met before, but someone who held the laces to his cleats.
General manager Bob O’Billovich introduced himself, and the two men began discussing Dickerson’s future with the team. In Marcel Bellefeuille’s new offence, Kori’s role was becoming obsolete. However, O’Billovich knew that his 6’4, 240 pound now former tight end had a past as a defensive lineman, and wondered if he considered returning to the read and react side of the ball.
“I just like to play football man,” said Dickerson, with the kind of smile only expressed by a man doing a job he doesn’t consider work. “I guess I put a bug in their ear last year about playing D-line, so Obie called me and asked me how I would feel about it.”
If his high school stats are any indication, the move may be a prosperous one. In 1996, KD as he’s referred to by his teammates, made 125 tackles, with 16 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions as a dominant defensive lineman in the L.A. area. On offense as a tight end, he had 12 catches for 252 yards. This doesn’t mean he’s the next Joe Montford, but it shows Obie’s reasoning behind asking Dickerson to make the switch.
“I haven’t played defensive end since 2000, so there’s stuff I’m still readjusting to like using my hands while pass rushing,” he explained. “I have to get the timing down and I need to make sure my balance is there at all times. Most of all I want to bring some energy to the defence.”
Bringing energy was no problem for Dickerson on Day 1. He stood on the defensive line and used his outgoing personality to playfully get under the skin of his former crew on the offence. Aside from the information he knows about them personally, he also has an edge with his knowledge of how the offence works.
“I’m out here competing, trying to get the offensive line a good look, trying to get myself some different advantages being that I know offensive schemes and things like that. It definitely helps.”
Defensive line coach John Kropke, a former CFL lineman himself, understand Kori’s situation and is optimistic about his chances.
“He’s a great team guy and a great guy in the locker room. He’s the first one in the meeting rooms and the first one to ask questions,” expressed Kropke. “Kori knew about the change, and I think he changed his workouts to be ready to play defensive end. It just takes time, and as we know in the CFL one thing we don’t have too much of is time with only three weeks of camp.”
The Battle Inside
When J.P. Bekasiak came out of Toledo he received a fair amount of interest from NFL teams. He even attended Minnesota Vikings training camp, but instead of chasing down their star rookie running back Adrian Peterson, he was blocking for him.
Bekasiak had learned how to use his mammoth 6’6, 299-pound frame to play on the defensive line, clogging up running lanes and getting after quarterbacks, but NFL scouts saw his size and personality and thought immediately of the O-line.
Bekasiak is a soft-spoken, good-natured guy that you would rather have marrying your sister than chasing your quarterback. He never seemed to have the killer instinct that a pass rusher needs at the pro level.
So near the end of his first year in Hamilton, the Ticats coaching staff decided to tap into his potential as an offensive lineman.
“The good thing about him is that he’s a really smart kid,” said offensive line coach Jeff Bleamer. “He’s hardworking, a real physical specimen; strong, fast, flexible, everything you’re looking for in an offensive lineman. The problem is the little nuances and intricacies as well as the blocking schemes are totally new to him, but I’m optimistic that he will come along.”
“As a defensive player you would really study a lot about the O-line and what they do, so I already have an idea, except now it’s more detailed,” said Bekasiak. “Knowing what a defensive player wants to do and the different schemes help.”
When you’re as physically gifted as J.P. is, with the size and strength to move a house, one might not realize the challenge in becoming a blocker is the mental part associated with it.
“Offence is a little more thinking before the snap, and defence is more reacting,” he described. “So it’s a matter of spending time with the coaches and learning the technique. Practicing it so much that it becomes instinctive, something I don’t even need to think about.”
Head-To-Head
Will KD or J.P.’s position changes solve the team’s issues on offence and defence by themselves? Probably not. Both have had their early successes and struggles as they attempt to catch up to players who have played at those spots their whole careers.
Having played the position before, Dickerson has a jump on making an impact, while Bekasiak needs to work hard to learn his new role, but what happens when a 6’6, 299 pound defensive lineman now at guard tries to block a 6’4, 240 pound tight end now on the D-line? I’ll let them explain as the two debated the issue at the end of practice.
Bekasiak – “I hope I knock him on his butt.”
Dickerson – “They have him inside at guard, he doesn’t want to come outside.”
Bekasiak – “He called me last night, asking me for some pass rushing moves.”
Dickerson – “He had a dream I called him about some pass rushing moves, but like I said that was a dream.”
