By Darren Cameron
We are now in day 16 of camp, and some may consider it the ‘dog days’ of the three-week, on-field sessions in preparation for the season. While that may be accurate, it sure is an exciting time. This time of year is always filled with optimism, but this year just seems different. Am I declaring a first place finish? Absolutely not. But the level of competition, not only in the eyes of the coaches, but perspective of the players themselves, is significant. One player told me yesterday, “This already feels like a team.” Coach O’Shea is a big believer in that team atmosphere, more so than any other Head Coach I have been around.
INJURIES
There has been much talk about how many injuries we have already had throughout camp. It’s interesting to read the reports and listen to the chatter about it, because the truth is we have had less injuries this year than last.
And as of now (knock on wood) we only have one player who would be deemed longer term. The battles these players go through during a training camp is strenuous and repetitive, and unfortunately, injuries are part of the equation. Let’s hope we can make it through these last few days unscathed.
CUT DOWN
This morning was one of those mornings management very much dislike; the day where they have to inform a certain number of players that their goal of being a
Blue Bomber is over. Coach O’Shea, Kyle Walters and Director of Football
Operations, David Siddall, set up in a meeting room in the University dorm area where the players stay during camp. Each guy is brought in individually, is told of the decision by Coach O’Shea, has a brief conversation with Kyle, and then moves on to David to discuss travel logistics for that day. Although it takes hours to pour through film and make these decisions, relaying the information takes no longer than five minutes per player. “No other way to put it, it’s one of the only bad things about this job,” Coach O’Shea told me shortly after the process was completed this morning. “It’s not easy telling a guy he isn’t good enough, or doesn’t fit in. But you give it to him straight, that’s all a man can ask for, is the truth.”
QB GAME REPS
NFL preseasons drag on for weeks, and there has been an ongoing discussion about shortening the four game preseason schedule. The upside to playing double the amount of preseason games that we do in the CFL is the ability to more deeply evaluate your roster. In this case, we sure could use a couple more games to take a closer look at our three returning backup quarterbacks. All three showed solid aspects to their game last Tuesday in Toronto, and with only one of two games left, starter Drew Willy will have to see some action as well (probably about a half, and a series into the third). As offensive coordinator Marcel Bellefeuille told me, each guy needs a certain amount of plays and time, depending on the player. The evaluation of Marve and Portis (who have both had good camps) are key this Friday, while first-year Manitoba product Jordan Yantz continues to develop.
EXCITEMENT FOR SEASON
One of the most intriguing aspects of the roster I have noticed through two-and-a-half weeks is the amount of care our players have not only for the team’s success, but for the success of the city as a whole as well.
Make no mistake; we frequently talk about how passionate this fan base is. Coach O’Shea and I both talked with the team about it the first day of camp. But the difference is, many of these guys know that already. Even the new ones; Stanley Bryant, Sam Hurl, Dominic Picard, they know what football means to this province, and the passion to make the city proud truly resonates.
While having dinner with a few players on the road in Toronto Tuesday night, the subject of being the team that ends the Grey Cup drought arose. Is it a long way off? In terms of days and games yet to be played, yes. But we have never been shy about expressing that is the ultimate goal.
I truly believe that when that day happens, it will be one of the most historic times in the city’s sports history. Winnipeg has been waiting a long time, but the task is that of the team, the players, and they feel the weight of it. They want to win just as much if not more than the most passionate of fans, and that came through very clearly as we talked about what winning a Grey Cup would do for the city. Emotions rose to the surface as we talked, and a veteran player sitting across from me looked up, moved.
“Damn, that just gave me chills,” he said.
These guys care deeply about each other and about the common goal. If anything, that driving passion should make this an exciting season.
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Until next time.
