CIS
Fraser Caldwell
Ticats.ca
Their paths to the Ivor Wynne turf could hardly be more different, but with the Ticats vetting fresh talent and veteran players alike at this week’s minicamp, rookie running back Chevon Walker and defensive end Shawn Crable both find themselves looking to prove their worth while playing a whole new brand of football.
For his part, Walker entered the three-day showcase having signed with the team only mere days before. The 24 year-old back joins the Black and Gold after completing his college career at Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he amassed 819 yards and 14 touchdowns in 13 games.
Looking to crack the Ticat ranks, Walker indicates that the toughest adjustment to the professional level thus far has been in the speed of play.
“It’s fast,” says the young back simply. “There’s a whole different tempo you know, and you’ve got to really hit that playbook. That’s the number one thing when you’re playing at that speed – to know the plays.”
Keeping up doesn’t appear to be a problem for Walker at this stage, as the slippery running back has made several encouraging displays over the course of minicamp, notably shining in one-on-one drills where his moves in the open field have left a number of linebackers cursing in his wake.
Taking the step up to the pros, Walker also must grapple with the substantial differences found between his U.S. college background and the CFL variety of football he finds himself playing north of the 49th parallel. He acknowledges that the transition is a tough one, arguing that the greatest difference he’s encountered comes before the snap.
“The motion is the biggest thing so far,” says Walker of his adjustment. “You can get a little head start and that’s definitely different from what I’m used to, but I’m adjusting to it as the days go by. It’s all about learning. You take it day-by-day and keep learning the systems and getting to know the other guys and the coaches.”
Unlike the young running back, fellow newcomer to the Black and Gold Shawn Crable finds himself suiting up for his fourth professional squad in his young career. Selected in the third round (78th overall) by the New England Patriots in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Michigan standout broke into the lineup in 2010 and notched four tackles and a half sack in six contests.
Crable is noticeably excited to be back in the professional fold with the Ticats, and positively gushed when asked to describe his experience with the team thus far.
“It’s been a really huge learning curve coming here, first with the rules and then with my coach [Defensive Coordinator Casey Creehan],” says the defender. “He’s a technician when it comes to the defensive line. We’re doing moves for the whole practice, get-offs and all of that stuff. I didn’t really get that training in the NFL. When I came into the NFL, you were expected to be a technician right away or you’d get cut.
“I played some defensive line in college and a bit in the NFL, but I was mostly an outside linebacker. So coming in here, where they’re playing me on the end and he’s working with us and teaching us how to rush and teaching us moves, I feel like it’s the best coaching I’ve had. I’m excited. I’m not complaining and I’m not tired. If they’re going to keep teaching me, I’m going to keep soaking it up.”
Crable explains that the teaching time is particularly useful to him after a year of inactivity that saw him far from the rigours of the training field.
“I’ve got to get my get-off together,” says the defensive end emphatically. “I was on the couch all of last year at the house so this has been my first chance to get out, run around and hit people, so I’ve got to get my wheels going. I find myself retraining myself again and it’s all coming back. I’m just glad he’s taking the time to teach us.”
Much like Walker, Crable acknowledges that adjusting to the CFL game involves leaning on experienced teammates, and he says that he will do just that as he looks to give his best possible showing.
“You don’t know unless you ask questions,” said Crable. “I ask the guys a ton of things and there’s a lot of ground to cover. There are a lot of people with speed out here and they get a chance to show that speed. You’ve got to know the game you’re playing to be able to execute and show the type of player you are, so I’m asking a ton of questions.”
Crable and Walker will both hope that they can find the answers they need to lock up a more permanent place in the Ticat lineup at training camp come June.
