Rookies Kick Off Camp

Ticats.ca
Justin Dunk

After a miserable month of May filled with grey, depressing, rainy days, the sun came out of hiding just as the calendar turned to a new month.  On Thursday, the sun shone brightly for Ticats rookies as they were put through the paces of a CFL practice for the first time at McMaster University’s Ron Joyce Stadium.

A few notable veterans, including Dave Stala, Maurice Mann, Bo Smith, Jerome Dennis, Glenn MacKay and new kicker/punter Justin Medlock, showed up to camp a couple days early to take in day one of rookie camp for themselves.

The pace is fast for first year hopefuls.  They must pick up the playbooks quickly in order to show the ability needed to make a professional roster.

“We have to evaluate our young talent and new players.  Part of the evaluation process is on the field, but also in the meeting rooms and just getting a lot of these young guys used to being pros, how we coach and how we do things,” Ticats head coach Marcel Bellefeuille said after wrapping up back-to-back practices.

“Also, understanding the process and the environment that they are working in… I think we’re doing a good job of getting them prepared.” 

Familiar football sounds were back; coaches shouting instructions, whistles blowing and pads popping for the first time since the team’s mini-camp in April — music to the ears of everyone on hand to witness the inaugural practice of the 2011 campaign.

“It’s a great feeling to be back up here with these guys,” said third-year quarterback Jason Boltus. “We’ll get the rookies up to speed and try to make this team win a Grey Cup this year.”

On the first play of team scrimmage, CFL newcomer and receiver Aaron Kelly showed his ability to be a vertical threat with a great catch.

“Guys on both sides of the ball did extremely well today,” Bellfeuille said.     

Kelly burst off the line from his weak-side wideout position, effortlessly created separation on a go route and caught a perfectly thrown ball in stride and took it for six. The perfectly thrown football came out of the hand of Boltus, who did not show any signs of off-season rust.

“I felt real good out there. I just have to keep being consistent, being accurate with the football, making good decisions and make good reads,” Boltus said.

The Hartwick College product has spent a couple seasons with the Ticats learning and developing his skills as a CFL passer.

“Everyday you learn something. It’s been a good help the two years I’ve been up here sitting and learning behind Kevin [Glenn] and Quinton [Porter] as well,” Boltus said. “They know the game, they’ve played, they’ve started, so I try to pick things up from them.”

Boltus showed enough of an improvement at the pivot position that the Ticats brass felt comfortable in moving him up to the third spot on the depth chart by subtracting Adam Tafralis this past off-season.  Although, like all pivots, Boltus is preparing like a starting quarterback.

“Obviously we all want to be the number one guy. One guys plays, but I’m going to come out to practice and push as hard as I can and try to be that number one,” Boltus said. “When I’m in there I’m going to act like I’m the starting quarterback, so when I get a chance to be out there it is nothing new. Practice how you play, we all want to be the starting quarterback and that’s how we’re going to practice and play.”

On top of his quarterbacking duties, Boltus looks to be the favourite to handle the holding chore on field goals for the Ticats. He spent some time after practice working on ball placement with Medlock.

When throwing the football Boltus made a number of good decisions on day one of camp and his strong right arm was very evident. On top of that, his ball placement looks to be increasingly more consistent.

“The more I can do to push these guys and compete, the better we’ll be this year,” Boltus said. “Ultimately, I want us to be the best quarterback group in the CFL.”

MULTIMEDIA

ROOKIE CAMP NOTES

• Receiver Aaron Kelly provided most of the day’s highlights, making several impressive grabs including a one-handed catch with a receiver draped on his back.  Bakari Grant, Chris Williams, Blaine Kruger and Jordan Watson also made some nice catches during one-on-ones.
• The defence set the tone during the early session, dominating one-on-ones against the receivers and running backs.  There has been a lot of talk about the ‘D’ playing with a more aggressive approach this season – the new style was evident from the opening minute of practice. 
• Jason Boltus had a great day.  The third-year pivot looked comfortable throwing the ball all day long, and made a few big plays thanks to a long pass to receiver Bakari Grant and a scramble that gained 20+ yards. 
• Burlington Braves receiver Jay Diston joined the Ticats on the field today.  Diston’s addition brings the total number of local junior players in camp to four, including OL Danny Brown and Jamal George of the Hamilton Hurricanes as well as Rob Varallo of the London Beefeaters. 
• PLAY OF THE DAY:  During the skelly period of the second practice, linebacker Brandon Denson found himself covering running back Terry Grant out of the backfield.  Denson stayed with him step-for-step as the pass was launched before turning, locating the ball, and adjusting mid-air to make a spectacular diving interception.