Bert Faibish
Ticats.ca
Training Camp Primer 2010: Receivers
The running back situation heading into this season’s training camp looks completely different than June of last year.
At this point last season Deandra’ Cobb was an unknown, discovered at the Ticats free agent camp in California, hoping to earn a spot in a crowded Tiger-Cats backfield. Thanks to a strong showing in the pre-season, which included a 82-yard rushing performance in Winnipeg, Cobb found himself on the practice roster at the end of training camp.
Cobb would make his CFL debut in the second game of the season in B.C. and would go on to rush for 1,217 yards and register 60 receptions for 542 yards — most among CFL running backs. As one of the league’s most exciting players, Cobb is expected to carry the load once again this season and should be a big part of the Ticats offence.
Joining Cobb in the backfield will be import free agent signings Brian Calhoun and Jhamal Fluellen, as well as Canadian running back Andrew Hamilton. Another running back may be added before camp kicks off on June 6.
Calhoun is a former third-round pick of the Detroit Lions in the NFL draft and joins the Ticats after playing parts of three seasons in the NFL.
Fluellen played three seasons at the University of Maine after transferring from Syracuse and accumulated 1,908 yards on 377 carries.
Hamilton played one season each at McGill and Concordia after transferring from Delaware State and spending 2007 on the Alouettes practice roster.
Calhoun and Fluellen will be in the mix at kick returner and may have to prove themselves equally capable of contributing on special teams as well as carrying the ball.
Also lining up in the offensive backfield will be Canadians Andre Sadeghian, Darcy Brown and 2010 draft pick Samuel Fournier.
Sadeghian and Brown will return from last year’s roster and along with Fournier be asked to play primarily a lead-blocking role.
Steve Schmidt, who was acquired in a draft day trade with Toronto, will be another option at fullback in addition to playing tight end and handling the long-snapping duties
For Your Information:
- Andrew Hamilton was born in Montreal, Quebec but played his high school football in Miami, Florida.
- Jhamal Fluellen holds Lockport High School’s single season rushing record with 2,055 yards.
- Cobb was named the CFL’s Offensive Player of the Week three times in 2010
