Scott Grant/RedBlacks.com
Justin Dunk
Ticats.ca
It was supposed to be a part-time gig when Mark Dewit stepped in for an injured Marwan Hage at the centre position on September 11. However, with Hage recently being ruled out for the season with a knee injury, Dewit will anchor the offensive line for the rest of the 2011 campaign.
“Nothing has really changed for me, I was still preparing each week like I was the starter that week and now I’m the starter this week and for the rest of the year,” Dewit said on Thursday after practice at Ivor Wynne stadium.
The fourth year CFLer spent the first two seasons of his career just down the QEW with the Toronto Argonauts. During his time in Toronto he was active for every game with the Argos, dressing as their sixth offensive lineman and filling in at any position needed. On five different occasions, over his two years in the big smoke, Dewit was among the starting offensive line group, the same amount of starts he has compiled over the last five weeks this season with the Ticats.
“When I was in Toronto I always found it hard to prepare because, as the sixth man, I didn’t know when I would be going in or where I’d be going in,” Dewit said. “Now knowing I’m a starter and knowing what position I’m going in at, it’s much easier to prepare for games. I have a much better mindset.”
Dewit has impressed his coaches as well as the men he goes to battle with in the trenches with his play since stepping into the starting role.
“All of them feel really good that he’s making the right calls and getting us in the right situations,” offensive line coach Doug Malone said.
“They were really accepting of me right off the bat,” Dewit said of his line mates. “Those are my best friends on the team and it’s enjoyable playing beside them and actually getting to compete with them everyday now.”
Since taking over the starting centre position five weeks ago, Dewit has become increasingly comfortable in his new spot.
“You can never fill Marwan’s shoes on the field – he’s been a CFLPA All-Star for five or six years – it’s big shoes to fill, but I’m doing my job and doing what they’re asking me and that’s all I can do.”
There is one marked area of improvement that Malone has noticed.
“Mark is not as vocal as Marwan, but he’s still a vocal guy and I think that’s what it takes, is just somebody to talk and communicate, especially with what we’re asking him to do with making the calls,” he said. “His leadership has improved, being more vocal, taking charge more and I think that’s helped him a whole lot. That guy has got to be decisive. Make a call whether it’s right or wrong and live with it.”
Number 53 was making calls long before he was inserted to the lineup as a starter. During offensive line meetings throughout this season, Hage and Dewit would both make the calls in the classroom as if they were at the line of scrimmage while watching opposing defences on film.
“There’s a lot to know, he makes all of our calls for us and gets everybody on the same page,” Malone said. “He’s done very well right from the beginning. Mark didn’t wait until it was his turn to prepare, he was preparing every week leading up to that. And he has had a great teacher in Marwan to help him with all the calls.”
“Marwan’s been great with me, he’s helping me out whenever I need it,” Dewit said. “He’s giving me advice on the little things that he knows I have to do better to be a successful centre in this league.”
Even after losing an All-Star calibre player in Hage, Dewit has stepped up, and in, to make the transition in the middle of the offensive line as seamless as possible.
