Shayon Green (49) of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the pre-season game against the Ottawa REDBLACKS at TD Place in Ottawa, ON on Monday June 13, 2016. (Photo: Johany Jutras)
There is the obvious stuff to like about Shayon Green; the stuff that jumps out and grabs hold, like his explosive speed off the edge and his dogged tenacity on every single snap.
The former University of Miami defensive end opened Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp near the top of the depth chart at the spot opposite Jamaal Westerman. And, as camp closed Friday, he was still there working with the starting defensive dozen.
But it’s the other stuff – the intangibles, the behind-the-scenes attention to detail – that has really helped him in his quest to find a football home.
“I’m a go-getter, man,” said the 24-year-old Tifton, GA. product. “I’m not going to be the person who sits in the corner and is quiet. I ask questions. If you need an example of something, I’m going to get up and show you. If the coach needs a volunteer, I’m going to raise my hand first.
“That’s just the type of person I am. I’m not a follower.”
A little research – a couple quick clicks on the world-wide-web – and there is ample evidence of this. Green’s Miami bio is stuffed with on-the-field accomplishments against traditional football heavyweights like Florida, Georgia Tech, Florida State and Boston College, among others.
But there’s also the leadership awards that jump out on paper and ooze out of his every pore when he speaks. In 2013 he was honoured with the Captain’s Award and the Melching Leadership Award. And a year prior, in 2012, he was the co-winner of the ACC’s Brian Piccolo Award as the ‘most courageous’ player in the conference.
All of this explains why Bombers Assistant GM/Director of U.S. Scouting Danny McManus has been chasing Green for the better part of two years, through his tryouts with the Miami Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“After I got released by the Steelers he called me up and talked about the opportunity here,” said Green. “I kind of hesitated at first. But then I realized I had to take this opportunity and I decided to jump on the ship. I’m here now to be a CFL player and help my teammates.
“I just come to work every day, do the most I can to prepare and give it everything I got.”
That’s the tone of almost every answer Green provides to every question. There is a big-picture take to everything he preaches. And it comes, he believes, from his upbringing.
“I was the oldest of five, so I felt like I had to help take care of my brothers and sisters,” said Green. “I’m not talking about taking care of them financially, but when they needed something or guidance they came to me. My little sister called me last night and said she was having struggles with chemistry. I was pretty good at chemistry, so when she or my siblings have questions, they come to me.
“I’m like the rock. I feel like if I’m OK and I can help you, lean on me.
“That’s the attitude I take to the field, too.”
BOMBER CAMP – JUNE 17
DEEP CUTS THE KNIFE:
The Bombers cut five players on Friday, all of them Canadians and none of which will be offered a spot on the practice roster: linebackers Frank Renaud and John Rush, defensive tackle Rupert Butcher, receiver Alex Vitt and punter Billy Pavlopoulos. Renaud, Butcher and Vitt were part of the 2016 draft class, Pavlopoulos was a 2013 draft pick while Rush was added after being named the top defensive player in the CIS last year.
Renaud and Rush were expendable because the Bombers still have several Canadians at linebacker in Sam Hurl, Teague Sherman, Shayne Gauthier, Jesse Briggs and Garrett Waggoner, while Butcher faced a similar situation at defensive tackle where the club has Jamaal Westerman, Keith Shologan, Jake Thomas, Trent Corney and Louie Richardson among the homegrown talent.
That collection could be further thinned on the weekend when the Bombers finish trimming their roster down to the 46-player/10-man practice roster by Sunday’s deadline. Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said most of the players will be informed by Saturday morning.
“There’s still a couple things we are mulling over,” said O’Shea. “There’s still another practice film to watch and that last 25 minutes of practice was some very good work. You’d like to have it scripted that way, where it ends on a high note.”
The Bombers will not be on the field again until Monday, as the team has to make its final personnel decisions and give those who make the roster or practice squad a weekend to find accommodations.
FIGHT CLUB:
The Bombers had their first skirmish of training camp on Friday, 20 days into the thing. It began with centre Matthias Goossen and Louie Richardson going at it and ended up with several Bombers all piled up in a heap. Put it this way: Ali vs. Foreman, it wasn’t.
“One of the veteran players came to me and said it’s bad luck to go through training camp without a scrap. That’s one way to look at it,” said O’Shea. “The other way to look at it is we’re driving and in the situation we were in (in practice), we were down six and needed a score. That is not the time to lose your emotions. It’s a good lesson. It happens, but it’s one of those good teaching points that pops up in practice.”
OUCH UPDATE:
Weston Dressler ran routes on Friday, but wasn’t in gear. The Bombers hope to have close to a full crew on Monday, minus OL Jeff Keeping, WR Addison Richards, LB Kyle Knox and, possibly, CB Johnny Adams.
ALL GOOD ON EUCLID:
Interesting take on Euclid Cummings, via O’Shea, when asked if there was anything he didn’t know about the free agent D-lineman until he got to deal with him up close.
“He seems like a jolly guy. You don’t know what personality he’s going to have until you meet him,” said O’Shea. “He just seems like a really good guy you can sit down and have a conversation with. He seems light-hearted. And then when he gets on the field it seems like he can flip the switch the terrorize offences. That’s nice to see.”
Asked if he would say Cummings is an elite talent in this league, O’Shea added:
“I would. Definitely, I would. But those questions are better asked of opposing offensive linemen. What you see on film is a guy who – and we’ve used this adjective a lot to describe him – is disruptive.”
THE LAST WORD:
Asked for a quick synopsis of the speech to the players at the conclusion of training camp, O’Shea said:
“I said it was easy for the coaches. It’s important we recognize the effort they put in. If they’re not putting in the effort then it is a long camp for coaches. This went by extremely fast. I said this camp flew by. Kudos to them. They’re putting in a lot of good work and making it fun, which makes it easy for the coaching staff.”
