Fraser Caldwell
Ticats.ca
For every existing star in the CFL, there is a player waiting impatiently to break out. The emergence of previously unheralded players is a time-honoured part of any new season, and the Ticats are hoping that two such talents have beaten the odds to find their way onto the practice roster.
Undrafted despite impressive CIS careers, receiver Jordan Brescacin and offensive lineman Jason Medeiros entered training camp as unknown quantities, but have conquered fierce competition to remain among the Black and Gold’s reserves.
Both young players speak of their pride in making the cut and being allowed the privilege of continued exposure to professional football. While playing time is certainly no guarantee, even the possibility of game action is an enticing one for the rookie Ticats.
“I definitely look at it as an accomplishment,” says Brescacin of his inclusion on the practice roster. “Any time you can make that next step in your football career it’s obviously something that I worked hard for. The chance to take that step is always a good thing.
“It was a big goal of mine to be on the practice roster and it felt fantastic getting into the news,” adds Medeiros. “It’s a development thing right now and I’m just trying to get better through these coaches.”
For both men, the disappointment of being passed over in the draft gives their achievement an added dimension, and reassures them of their ability. Brescacin acknowledges that in his case, surviving in a tough receiving corps brings a welcome opportunity to learn further from his talented veteran teammates.
“I think I always knew that I had what it takes,” says the rookie receiver. “At the time, not getting drafted added some motivation. But there are guys who did get drafted, and we all end up in the same spot. Everyone comes into camp and has to earn the job. Coming in here and knowing that the receiving corps was one of the strong spots on the team, I just had to come in and learn as much as I could. Just watching the guys in front of me, I’ve been learning a lot, so it’s been good.
“You know what, there’s a chip on your shoulder when you get passed through that process,” says Medeiros of being undrafted. “You want to be that guy to get drafted and get your name out there, make a roster on that day. But after that I came on here and it was another reason to get better and another reason to work hard. So I’m actually pleased that that ended up being the case, and I came in wanting to work harder and wanting to make it. It fueled the fire.”
A position on the practice roster entails continual preparedness, standing as a player does as the most ready substitute should a starter suffer an injury or the coaching staff decide to shuffle the deck. Brescacin and Medeiros each indicate that the key to staying sharp is being attentive and diligent in training and in meetings, absorbing all of the information at their disposal.
“You just have to approach every week as if you’re playing,” says Brescacin of his duty on the practice roster. “You go to the meetings and you have to write down all of the adjustments and prepare as if you were playing.
Their current situation is a win-win one for the two young Ticats, offering a summer of professional experience regardless of whether or not they are deemed necessary to the team in the fall. Should the rookies be needed, they can easily stay on with the Black and Gold. But if a return to the CIS is in the cards, both men will come away with a wealth of high level experience.
“I’ve been given the opportunity to learn a whole lot and hopefully take what I’m learning here along with me,” says Brescacin. “If I do end up going back to school, hopefully I can translate that into another successful CIS season.
“When you’re a student, you’re looking for a good summer job, and this is probably the best summer job you could ask for,” Medeiros adds. “Coming in here and learning football from the best and playing with the best is something that I’m looking forward to. If I do end up going back to McMaster, it’s something I’m going to soak up and take back to the team, to bring the things that I’ve learned into the system.”
