Bert Faibish
CFL.ca
Training Camp in the CFL; a time for veterans of the game to knock off that off-season rust and for a handful of unknowns to realize what to most, has been a lifelong dream.
The script is nearly the same all across the league. Freshmen that drew “oohs” and “ahhs” from fans during rookie camp quietly fade into the background as experienced, battle-tested vets replace their formerly green competition.
Now that teams have actually played their first preseason games, the men have begun to separate themselves from the boys.
But for a select few, training camp is their stage, their launching pad to a career destined for great things. After all, even Arland Bruce III was once just a kid from Kansas, wondering where in the heck Winnipeg was.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats find themselves in a position that every team strives to reach. With more locked-down position than holes to fill, and a number of impressive looking newcomers battling to earn a spot.
Competition is what brings out the best in a football team, and this year’s version of training camp has provided some great battles.
Wide Receiver:
Names like Bruce III, Dave Stala and Maurice Mann mean that the Ticats receivers will have a very familiar look in 2011, but some impressive performances by some newcomers in camp may force Hamilton’s staff to make some tough decisions. Clemson product Aaron Kelly has carried his daily dose of highlight reel catches over into main camp and led all Ticats receivers with 64 yards in the first pre-season contest against Toronto.
Kelly joins fellow rookie Bakari Grant as the probable leaders for the boundary wide receiver position across from Matt Carter. With both receivers 6-foot-4 or taller, Kevin Glenn should have a big target on the outside this season. Speedster Chris Williams has impressed throughout camp and the preseason, and has looked good returning kickoffs.
His speed may make him a player that Hamilton will need to find a spot for.
Defensive Line:
Once again, the D line will be manned by mainstays like Stevie Baggs, Demonte’ Bolden, Matt Kirk and Justin Hickman. However a need for depth along the line exists and a number of youngsters have shown that they belong alongside the vets in main camp.
Draft picks Eddie Steele and Maurice Forbes have had solid camps, taking advantage of the added playing time made available by the absence of Matt Kirk, who is still recovering from offseason surgery. Demonte’ Bolden ended last season as the starter beside Kirk, but has been pushed all camp long by second-year defensive tackle Albert Smith and rookie Ventrell Jenkins.
Smith slimmed down during the off-season and the svelte sophomore Ticat has looked quicker and more explosive. Jenkins has been impressive but will need to out-play the veteran defensive tackles to crack the lineup.
Secondary:
The place for perhaps the most turnover is in the defensive secondary. Bo Smith’s addition to the new injury/exempt list, stemming from last season’s achilles injury has given some young defensive backs a chance to get some extra reps, which gives the coaches ample opportunity to see them in action.
2010 draft pick Chris Rwabukamba has shown that he can play with the big boys and could push Ryan Hinds or at least provide some non-import depth behind him. Jason Shivers has taken reps at half and safety and is just another example of new coordinator Corey Chamblin’s philosophy of seeing everyone in the secondary play multiple positions.
All of Marcell Young, Pierre Singfield and Terrance Lee received plenty of playing time in Hamilton’s first game of the pre-season and are still around to talk about it. Any of these three could earn themselves roster spots once the regular season kicks off.
With defensive back the most populous position in training camp, you can bet that there will be some new faces in the secondary on opening day.
Running Back:
The most difficult decision that Hamilton’s coaches may have to make is who will be the backup running back behind Avon Cobourne. Both Terry Grant and Glenn Milner performed well against Toronto, ending the game with 82 yards on 11 touches and 58 yards on 10 touches respectively.
The 5-foot-9 Grant gives you a similar style to Cobourne, while the 6-foot-0, 220-pound Milner is more of a power back.
These two have been neck and neck over the last three weeks of camp and will continue to push each other right up until cut-down day.
With each player running and catching the ball well, it may come down to blocking when the final decision is made.
