Herb Zurkowsky
The Gazette

MONTREAL -- Growing up in Regina, Scott Flory understandably had visions of playing professional football. Indeed, as the quarterback for the Regina Roughriders until age 10, Flory's future seemed cast in stone.

But it came crashing down the next year, thanks to his coach, Scott McBeth. The quarterback one day at practice, Flory was switched to an offensive and defensive lineman the next time the team met.

"He crushed my hopes and dreams," Flory remembered.

The story, of course, had a happy ending. Flory played for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, was rated the most consistent offensive lineman by coaches of the Canada West Conference, won a Vanier Cup, was selected 15th overall by the Alouettes in the 1998 Canadian college draft and has spent 10 seasons in the Canadian Football League. He has won one Grey Cup and last season, after his fourth nomination, finally was named the league's outstanding lineman.

"As a Canadian-born and schooled player, if you want to play pro, your best chance is on the offensive line," said Flory, 31. "There are seven or eight of us on each team and four or five starting Canadians per team."

For the most part, they were the biggest or fattest kidsalthough Flory said he was a modest 230 pounds when he graduated high schoolmade to believe they were somewhat different than their counterparts and pushed off to the side when they came out for practice; told they would be offensive linemen. A life of purgatory, resigned to never touching the football or getting the fame and glory associated with the quarterback position.

But a funny thing happened along the way. While the quarterback's the highest-paid position, the second-highest-paid player on averageat least in the National Football Leagueis the left offensive tackle; the guy who protects the quarterback's blindside, since most pivots are right-handed. Lose the starting quarterback and a team has virtually no opportunity of winning.

Flory's second annual camp for offensive linemen was held over the weekend at Concordia University. The two-day session attracted 40 playersan increase over the 25 who attended in 2008and covered every imaginable facet of the game, on and off the field.

"It's a technical position, and there's not enough quality training," Flory said. "We got a lot done. You'd be surprised, but the formula works."

The players were filmedmost for the first time in their careerstold about nutrition and weight-training, coached on pass- and run-blocking, taught what to do with their hands and feet, and even received speed and agility drills. Anything Flory and his staff could do to bring awareness to the position.

"We're trying to bring more awareness and the technical training aspect," Flory said. "This is more than just a big guy leaning on a big guy. The position's definitely undervalued. It's a very specialized position. We pay attention to detail and are trying to bring some validity to the position. Show them they what they're doing matters. We make them feel confident through positive reinforcement.

"We're impressing on them it's not just one. It's all five of us on the line. You have to work together, bring awareness and fun. It takes a different mentality. You need to be physically and mentally tough, since they only talk about you when you do something wrong."

Flory was surrounded by most of his fellow Montreal offensive linemen, including Josh Bourke, Jeff Perrett, Skip Seagraves and Ryan Karhut. Other instructors were Dave Mudge, who will probably retire after 10 CFL seasonsthe last four with the Alsformer Alouette Luke Fritz, who joins Winnipeg this season as a free agent, and Hamilton's Marwan Hage. Completing the staff was Brad Collinson, a former Montreal long-snapper who coaches the Stingers' offensive linemen and is Concordia's recruiting co-ordinator.

The cost of the camp was $100 per player. Flory said it's not a money-making proposition, especially once each instructor's paid a nominal stipend.

"I like what Scott's doing, so I jumped on board last year," said Hage, a Montreal resident. "It's a very specialized and unique camp. The guys here want to play on the offensive line. It's not like we're trying to coach a bunch of guys who want to play quarterback."

Sean Guihan, a 17-year-old guard for the Lakeshore Cougars, said the camp was a worthwhile experience. The 6-foot-2, 275-pounder has played organized football for only two years.

"I really enjoy it because you get to hit on every play," he said. "All good plays start from the offensive line. I learned so many new techniques ... ways to train and eat. It's given me inspiration.

"A lot of people don't look to the offensive line because they never get the ball and aren't in the spotlight. But when you play and watch the position, you notice it more."

Flory said he could see potential in this year's crop and many of the instructors insisted at least one player has the talent to make it as a pro.

"A lot will go on and play somewhere," Flory said. "They're big, strong and can move their feet. A few definitely have potential."

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