BCLions.com Staff

KAMLOOPS, B.C. -- Six productive practice sessions over the past three days afforded GM and head coach Wally Buono an opportunity to cancel on-field activities this morning and focus on scheme review with his players as well as personnel updates with his coaching staff this morning. Probably a great decision as the skies opened up over Kamloops and a steady rain fell until shortly after lunch.
 
When the team did hit the field at picturesque Hillside, rest was repaid with a crisp performance on both sides of the ball.
 
PRACTICE NOTES: On offence Sean Walker, the last man to arrive in camp, had a couple of noteworthy grabs in team and skelly periods. Walker is one of a number of import candidates including Kerry Reed, Darius Passmore, Tony Washington and Steven Black vying for a spot on the roster. They will likely have to stand out as a kick returner to crack the line-up, however.
 
On defence, Korey Banks continues to shine and demonstrates each day why his skill set has few equals across the CFL. The halfback turned ‘nickel’, which is a hybrid of a defensive back and linebacker, has an uncanny knack for being around the ball at all times while also displaying great speed at the line of scrimmage in blitz situations. He can even take a hit, as was the case when he collided with safety Tad Crawford as the two defenders attempted to make an interception on the same ball.
 
On special teams, Sean Whyte is in the thick of a kicking battle with Paul McCallum and put on a notable display during the punt coverage period. Whyte consistently pinned returners to within seven yards of the boundary.
 
DISAGREEMENTS: No fights to report on Wednesday but a scary moment as rush end Dominie Pittman went down during a red-zone drill. The speedy lineman out of North Alabama was still for more than two minutes but fortunately was up shortly after shaking off the effects of a stinger.
 
WATCHING: Solomon Elimimian (hamstring), Richard Jones (hamstring), Robert Jordan (ankle) Anton McKenzie (hamstring), Steve Williams (groin), Paris Jackson (knee).
 
FOOD FARE: Lunch at Thompson Rivers University consisted of chili and pulled-pork sandwiches with salad and desserts.  Dinner was chicken parmesan, penne, vegetables and salad along with a selection of cookies.
 
NEXT UP: Thursday, June 10 – two sessions (8:20 – 10:40 am & 4:00 pm – 6:20 pm)

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Esks.com Staff

EDMONTON -- The weather was less to be desired today as luminous early morning clouds broke during the first session.  The rain was matched with cool air and an unpleasant wind.  The receivers took to huddling together in between reps to stay warm during skelly drills. 

The silver lining:  The constant rain was a great test for the new field turf.  The players had a chance to see what it will be like to play in essentially some of the worst conditions they’ll meet this season (well before snow that is!)  Arkee Whitlock told John Sexsmith of Global TV that he was very impressed with how the field felt.  He was happy with the lack of puddles and said it was a lot easier to stay on their feet as opposed to natural grass.

CATCH OF THE DAY: The 2009 CFL receiving yards leader Fred Stamps was showing off his stuff today in practice as he made a nice one-handed grab in double coverage.  Fred did leave the field a bit early today, but Head Coach Richie Hall says that it’s nothing serious.  “Everyone gets nicks and bruises during training camp.  The weather tightens everything up.  Sometimes it helps to get that extra half hour of rest.”

NOTES: Special Guest Brian Gaine, a scout from the Miami Dolphins, was on hand for practice today. 

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Stampeders.com Staff

CALGARY -- Sometimes, it comes as soon as the second day. Other times, it sets in around Day 3. By Day 4, it’s a virtual epidemic.

It’s that time in training camp when football players hit the wall, when the grind of two-a-days results in general soreness and lifeless legs.

“It’s kind of the dog days of training camp right now, this being the fourth day of practice,” said head coach and general manager John Hufnagel. “The bodies are tearing down a little bit and we have to be careful about that. But we’ve still gotten some good work in today. The weather is not as nice as you would like it to be, but it stayed try and we got good work done.”
Well, it was dry in the morning at least. The rain came down in the afternoon and the coaches chose to cut the session short.

Day 4 marks the midway point between the start of main camp and Sunday’s pre-season opener at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.

“We’re pretty well on schedule,” said Hufnagel. “That game on Sunday is creeping up quickly.”

DIFFERENT WORLD FOR KILAM

When Mark Kilam was acting as the Stampeders’ linebackers and strength and conditioning coach, he took part in the good-natured ribbing of kickers.

“All the time,” he admitted with a smile. “All the time.”

Now that Kilam is the Red and White’s special-teams coordinator, the shoe is on the other kicking foot.

“You know what?” he said. “It’s been an adjustment and it’s been positive. My time management is a little bit different, obviously, and I’m not running around and cursing as much as I was before, but it’s been fun.”

Kilam has a diverse group on his hands including sixth-year veteran punter Burke Dales, newcomer Warren Kean, who has limited CFL experience with Edmonton, and raw rookie Rob Maver.

The battle between Kean and Maver for place-kicking duties has been an interesting one. During the kicking portion of practice, each kicker gets his own group of protectors, long-snapper and holder and the candidates take turns booting the ball through the uprights.

“I think they’re doing well,” said Kilam. “They’re competing just like everybody else here at training camp. We go neck-and-neck every day and every time they’re out there, that’s their show. It’s when they’re out there kicking in front of everybody, that’s what counts.”

TRANSACTIONS: None

INJURIES: Import defensive linemen Eugene Kinlaw (knee) and Derrick Gray (hip), import defensive back Ronnie Amadi (quad), non-import receiver Johnny Forzani (hamstring) and non-import offensive lineman Curtis Vizza (knee) did not practice and are day-to-day. Non-import offensive lineman Godfrey Ellis (knee) and import defensive lineman Charleston Hughes (knee) missed the afternoon session and are day-to-day. Import defensive back Jason Horton (chest) missed the morning session, but returned for the afternoon practice. Receivers Ryan Thelwell (Achilles), Ken-Yon Rambo (knee) and Ron Kelly (hip) and linebacker Marc Calixte (knee) remain on the disabled list.

SCHEDULE: The Stamps are on the field for two sessions on Thursday, June 10. Practices run from 9:05 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4:10 p.m. to 5:55 p.m.

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Riderville.com Staff

REGINA -- The following is the Day 4 report from the 2010 Roughrider Training Camp. There were a number of noteworthy catches made during today’s practice sessions including quarterback Cole Bergquist connecting with receiver Dwayne Eley, while veterans Darian Durant and Robb Bagg hooked up for a highlight reel play.

Players will meet with coaches and continue learning the playbook at Luther College this evening. Players and coaches will hit the practice field at Mosaic Stadium for Day 5 of training camp on Thursday with one practice session beginning at 9:15 am.

ROSTER MOVES:

NONE
 
INJURIES:

DL Willie Evans (groin) day to day
WR Andy Fantuz (hamstring) day to day
DB Lance Frazier (foot) day to day
DL Brent Hawkins (knee) day to day
DB Sean Lucas (hamstring) day to day
DL Luc Mullinder (foot) day to day
DB Brandon Register (groin) day to day
LB Kye Stewart (knee) day to day