Retirement Leads To Opportunity

Simon de Boer

Bert Faibish
Ticats.ca

In football, with change comes opportunity.

Tuesday night’s retirement announcement by veteran defensive lineman Darrell Adams opened up a spot on the line for one of the defensive linemen competing at training camp. While the identity of the player who will fill Adams’ void is a mystery at this point, it’s certain to be a player that did not start the Ticats final game of the season.

“Replacing a quality player, a quality person like Darrell is going to be tough,” said Ticats Defensive Line Coach John Kropke.

“Bob and the scouting staff have done a great job of getting some talented young players in the off-season and they will have some awfully big shoes to fill,” he said.

The coaches know that opportunities like this are part of the game and that one man’s misfortune is another man’s big chance.

“Anytime there’s a retirement or an injury the next guy who steps up has his chance to make his mark, so we’ll see over the next couple of weeks who gets that opportunity,” said Defensive Coordinator Greg Marshall.

With eleven players now in camp competing for spots along the front four, players know that the fierce competition will only make them better as a unit.

“It’s been pretty competitive, a lot of the vets and the rookies they brought in have come to camp hungry, so I expect a lot out of the defensive line this year,” said second–year defensive tackle Demonte’ Bolden.

As happy as players are about last years results, they realize that expectations are higher this year.

“I feel like coming off a 9-9 season is fine, but we can do better,” said Bolden.

Of the players vying for Adams’ vacated spot, five of them are rookies, trying to crack a team’s roster for the first time.

“I’ve always had a fire inside me to succeed, I came here all the way from Louisiana to try and contribute to this team,” said rookie lineman, Albert Smith.

Trying to take in all the nuances of the Canadian game can be daunting for a first year player, but Smith knows that growing pains are part of the game.

“You’re going to make mistakes as a rookie, I just can’t wait to get in the film room and see what I could have done differently and try to apply it in the next practice.”

With a total of four rookies (Justin Hickman, Garrett McIntyre, Khari Long and Bolden) receiving chances to start last season, the players know that those who perform during camp and the pre-season will earn the starting jobs, regardless of experience.

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TODAY’S MULTIMEDIA

	Photo Gallery: June 9
	Ticats TV: Training Camp Report, Day 4
	Ticats TV: Garrett McIntyre Video Blog #1
	Ticats TV: Garrett McIntyre Video Blog #2
	Ticats TV: Maurice Mann Video Blog #2

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OTHER NEWS AND NOTES:

The Caretaker himself, Bob Young, called GM Bob O’Billovich during today’s practice for a training camp update.
Canadian DE Stan van Sichem sat out both practices today. He was later joined on the sideline by DE Jason Vega, DB Jason Shivers, WR Dave Stala, WR Amarri Jackson, LB Otis Floyd and WR Marquay McDaniel.
Maurice Mann briefly left practice after taking a knee to the helmet in the first practice. He re-emerged from the training room with a cut on his chin, but was able to finish practice.
During the second practice, with the offence working on moving the ball out of their own end, the secondary showed their ball-hawking ability. The defence made three interceptions in the period’s first five pass attempts, as Jykine Bradley, Rodney Van and LaRoche Jackson picked off Ticats pivots. All three interceptions would have been easy touchdowns for the defence.
NFL scouts from the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins observed today’s practice.
Thursday’s standout players include rookie DBs Ryan Hinds and Rodney Van, guard Peter Dyakowski, DE Garrett McIntyre, WR Arland Bruce III, RB Demetris Summers and new receiver Ed Berry.

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TOMORROW’S SCHEDULE: The Ticats will be on the field from 8:05-12:30pm on Thursday for back-to-back power practices. Current weather forecasts say it will be a sunny morning with a temperature of 15*C. There’s a 20% chance of rain.

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