CFL.ca Staff
MONTREAL — The Concordia Stingers enter 2010 a vastly different team from the one that finished the 2009 campaign with a 3-5 record.
Coach Gerry McGrath and his staff welcomed 102 players to this year’s training camp which is one of the largest in recent history. Of those players, the majority, 52, are rookies, signalling the start of a youth movement for Concordia.
But that youth movement does not mean that the Stingers are rebuilding. Rather it is a testament to their ability to continually recruit top players to replace those who have graduated or turned pro.
And the depth of the team is something that they will look to take advantage of once the regular season kicks-off against Bishop’s at Coulter Field.
The outstanding recruiting class is holding up well under immense pressure to learn fast. Some of the new players are going to have to step in quickly, especially on offensive line where the Stingers’ lost two starters, and at linebacker where someone has to fill the enormous hole left by Cory Greenwood who joined the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.
At skilled positions, Concordia will reload easily. There are lots of talented veterans at running back and receiver that will help ease the pain of losing slotback Cory Watson (Winnipeg Blue Bombers) and fifth-year running back Cedric Ferdinand.
Normally, a CIS coach would stress over these losses. Yet Stingers gridiron boss Gerry McGrath is confident that the youth movement that his squad is currently undertaking will pay dividends in 2010.
“By the end of the season I expect to have a pretty good football team and I hope we will make the playoffs,” says McGrath. “How well the young linebackers and the offensive linemen play will determine how far we go. If those young players gel, we’ll be pretty good.”
Returning to the defence are standout safety Nicholas Arsenault-Hum (Delson, Que.) who looks to return to his 2008 all-star form after an injury-plagued 2009 season, halfback Kyle Smith (Châteauguay, Que.) who recorded 35 solo tackles, six assists and one interception a year ago, as well as fourth year defensive tackle Maurice Forbes.
The Stingers will turn to recruits in an attempt to fill in the void left by the departure of Greenwood at linebacker. Max Caron (Kingston, Ont.) will inevitably draw some comparisons to Greenwood as both hail from Kingston, Ont. and have a similar physical stature. Last season, Caron collected 30 solo tackles with the Okanagan Sun of the CJFL. Another key recruit in the secondary is outside linebacker Travis Bent (Pickering, Ont.) who is pegged as the top linebacking recruit coming out of Canadian high school football.
“We’re pretty big, talented and deep at D-line, especially with Maurice Forbes back. The defensive secondary is solid. At linebacker we have to replace a player of NFL calibre, but with the hiring of new defensive coordinator Phil Roberts, things are going to be a little different defensively. I think it will be simpler for the players,” states McGrath.
On offence, all-star quarterback Rob Mackay returns to the fold to guide the Stingers and there are lots of talented veterans at running back and receiver that will ease the pain of losing slotback Cory Watson to the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Mackay is looking to pick up where he left off in 2009 when he was named as a QUFL all-star at quarterback. The fifth year pivot out of Port Dover, Ont. passed for 2739 yards and 18 majors leading the conference in touchdown tosses, passing yards, completions, attempts and yards per game wth 342.4.
“We will be relying on our skilled players on offence. With Rob Mackay back at quarterback we expect to throw the ball very well. I hope to balance it out by running a little more this year.”
Also joining the Stingers offence is former Montreal Alouettes stand-out Bryan Chiu who was recently named offensive line coach and assistant offensive coordinator.
The expectations are high for the young players, especially with eight junior players from western Canada joining the squad. So the 2010 Stingers will be competitive. But how far they go depends on how fast the newcomers can step up and transition to the university game.
2009 in review:
Regular season record: 3-5
Regular season standings: 4th
Playoff record: 0-1
Playoff result: Lost 63-1 to Laval in QUFL semifinal
Coaching record – Gerry McGrath
Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2010): 11
Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2010): 11
Career regular season record with team: 49-31
Career regular season record in CIS: 54-40
Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 54-40
OFFENCE
Offensive coordinator: Gerry McGrath
Key returning players:
QB Rob Mackay – The Port Dover, Ont. native is ready to pick up where he left off in 2009 when he was a Quebec conference all-star. With 2739 yards passing and 18 TDs he set two QUFL records. He led the QUFL in TDs, passing yards, completions, attempts and yards per game (342.4). His 2739 yards was second best in the CIS. Mackay will use his intelligence and big arm to set the pace. His capabilities will force opposing defences to spread out and watch for the long ball.
SB Liam Mahoney – The 2007 CIS Rookie of the Year gave up play-calling and moved to inside receiver in 2009. In seven games he caught 45 balls for 619 yards and four touchdowns. A tremendous athlete with CFL aspirations, he is expected to step up at the receiver position and be a big part of the Stingers’ attack.
OT Anthony Barrette – Barrette is projected as a top CFL pick in 2011. He has also attracted NFL attention. At six foot five, 320 pounds he will be a force to reckon with in the QUFL. He will also be an offensive leader for the Stingers.
Key recruits/transfers: QB Tyler Pritty (Markham, Ont. – Markham District High School), RB/Returner Raul Thompson (Mississauga, Ont. – Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School/Mississauga Warriors OVFL), SB Michael Harrington (LaSalle, Que. – Vanier College)
Key departures:
OG Kristian Matte – Matte is currently on the Montreal Alouettes’ roster. He was their first round pick (7th overall) in the 2010 CFL draft. He signed a contract on July 14. Matte spent a good part of the spring with the NFL’s Houston Texans who signed him as a free agent in April. In 2009, Matte was a QUFL all-star and a CIS second team all-Canadian.
SB Cory Watson – Watson is currently suiting up for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was their first pick, 9th overall, in the 2010 CFL draft. With the Stingers in 2009, he caught 52 passes for 821 yards and six touchdowns. He led the Quebec conference in receiving and was second in the CIS. He was a second team all-Canadian.
RB Cedric Ferdinand – Ferdinand wrapped up a five-year career in 2009. He was the Stingers’ leading rusher last season with 80 carries for 483 yards and two touchdowns. He wasn’t a flashy back, but he was a valuable workhorse for the Stingers. He could also catch the ball, hauling in 13 passes for 40 yards.
DEFENCE
Defensive coordinator: Phil Roberts
Key returning players:
S Nicholas Arsenault-Hum – The Quebec conference’s 2008 all-star safety is back in the fold and ready to make some noise
after an injury-plagued 2009 season. Aggressive and hard-hitting, he always has the opposition on its heels. Playing in parts of seven games last season he collected five solo tackles, nine assists and hauled in two interceptions.
HB Kyle Smith – Smith really made a name for himself in the 2009 season. He made a lot of big plays and collected 35 solo tackles, six assists and one interception. Only President’s Trophy winner Cory Greenwood had higher numbers. This season, Smith is expected to continue his strong play and provide some leadership in the defensive backfield.
DT Maurice Forbes – He was one of McGrath’s top recruits in 2007, but he has struggled with injuries throughout his career. The exceptionally talented big man (six foot three, 320 pounds) played in just one game last season. If he stays healthy, he will be a candidate for outstanding lineman in Quebec and CIS. His CFL draft year is 2011.
Key recruits/transfers: LB Travis Bent (Pickering, Ont. – Pickering High School), DB Paul Spencer (Kelowna, BC – Okanagan Sun), LB Max Caron (Kingston, Ont. – Okanagan Sun/Frontenac High School)
Key departures:
MLB Cory Greenwood – The 2007, 2008 and 2009 Quebec all-star was the anchor on the Stingers’ defence. In his final season he was a CIS first team all-Canadian and the outstanding defensive player in the country. With 52 solo tackles and 20 assists, he led the QUFL in tackles. The Toronto Argonauts selected Greenwood third overall in the 2010 CFL draft. He signed a free agent contract with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and was still in their training camp in late August.
DB Mark Deslauriers – The versatile veteran has played out his five years of eligibility. The Stingers will miss his leadership and the stability he brought to the backfield. He had 21 solo tackles and three assists in the 2009 season.
-With files from the Concordia University Stingers
