Isaac Owusu
Ticats.ca
The second day of mini-camp was held indoors as the Tiger-Cats practiced at Players Paradise Sports Complex in Stoney Creek on Tuesday.
Among the participants were newcomers Brandon Stewart and Steve Myddelton who both joined the team this off-season as free agents.
Stewart, a defensive back going into his eighth season joins the team after runs with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders, while Myddelton played three seasons for Calgary.
“I’ve never done a mini-camp ever before, this is my first one,” Myddelton said.
“So coming in I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it’s a cool mix of guys that they’re trying to get a look at, to see who they want to bring into training camp and the vets coming back,” he added.
Mini-camp has been a way for Stewart to explore his versatility and fiddle with playing in and out of position, evidenced by him being lined up at inside corner.
“It’s fun, I like being close to the action. I felt I could help. Wherever they want me, I’ll play it. Give them the best of my abilities. I’m just ready to go out here and have some fun”
As one of the more senior players on the team Stewart welcomes mini-camp as an opportunity to soak in new knowledge about moving around as a defensive back.
“We got a good coaching staff, so it’s been good so far for me. I’ve been learning. (Coach Orlondo) Steinauer, he’s taught me a few new things about the CFL game and I’ve been up here for seven years. Just being here is making me a better football player.”
Coach Steinauer sees mini-camp as a way to scout potential uses of Stewart’s talent.
“I want to see what he can do. Put him in the fire see how he responds and at the end of the day it’s our job to put people in the best position to make plays. I’m well aware of where he’s played and we’re going to get a good look at him inside.”
Myddelton has found an appreciation with his first shot at a mini camp.
“It’s been good. Not like a rookie camp or anything where it’s a total mess and you’re trying to pick everything up on the run,” he said.
“Having Mike Filer as our centre has been really good to us as an offensive line. He’s really familiar with the system, so it’s been nice to hit the ground running.”
Having an awareness of what his body’s conditioning status is one thing a veteran like Myddelton takes away from being at practice this early into the year,
“The biggest thing is I feel a lot better than I was last year,” he said.
“Coming back from injury last year, just working and grinding through the season. Just trying to get back. But now I feel ready to go for the first time in a while and it feels great.
