October 7, 2018

September Rookie Report: Godber fitting in fine in BC

BCLions.com

Every winter I go on and on.. and on for months about how good CFL draft prospects are as they complete their fourth year of university eligibility in U SPORTS, the NCAA, CJFL, or just about anywhere quality football players qualifying for national status can be found.

We go through regional combines, the national showcase, interviews with teams, pro days and then everyone gets drafted and the story is over and done with right?

Wrong.

Another month has passed and fall football has officially arrived, and that means it’s time for another rookie report.

UP

BC Lions 3rd overall – Rice OL Peter Godber

When Veteran Cody Husband went down to injury suffering a broken leg on the first play of a game in September, the Lions answered with Chris Greaves as the backup centre. Travis Lulay spent the entire game catching snaps that were left, right, high and low, which completely threw off the rhythm of the Lions passing attack.

What followed was a move for Peter Godber to centre where – outside of two sacks given up to Ted Laurent in Hamilton – it’s been smooth sailing.

Toronto Argonauts 18th overall – Queen’s LB Nelkas Kwemo

He just keeps outrunning people on special teams and making tackles. It’s that simple for me.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats 15th overall – Calgary DL Brett Wade

With the injuries to second year defensive tackle Justin Vaughn and Manziel-acquired defensive end Jamall Westerman, Brett Wade has been asked to join the active roster for Hamilton. He’s done a damn good job on specials and even contributed in garbage time for the defence this past week.

DOWN

BC Lions 16th overall – Western FB David Mackie

This one is a little tongue in cheek as Mackie has actually had a positive impact on the Lions’ special teams and even made a spectacular 17 yard catch recently, his first CFL career reception. Here’s the problem: He also might have single handedly lost the Lions a game by dancing on the Ticats’ logo during BC’s trip to Hamilton last week.

It might seem ridiculous but I’m around the Ticats all the time and I haven’t seen them that angry before a game. It’s all useless bulletin board material stuff but some Ticats seemed to genuinely buy in and use Mackie’s dance as Bobby Boucher ‘tacklin’ fuel’.

STABLE

BC Lions 34th overall – DB Isiah Guzylak Messam 

This dirty bird was one of the truly underrated payers in 2018 and has performed admirably throughout the year. Despite some shaky punt return reps vs. Montreal in September and a couple of flags, he has had solid rookie campaign playing meaningful snaps for the Lions.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers 26th overall – McMaster REC Dan Petermann

Lost in the shuffle of Winnipeg stunning Edmonton was rookie Dan Petermann continuing to help the Bombers’ improving offence with a couple of catches for 27 yards. He’s under the radar, but that’s how Petermann likes it. He could be a sneaky contributor if the Bombers make the playoffs. An all the more intriguing concept if Winnipeg crosses over to play in Hamilton since Petermann is a Stoney Creek, Ont. native.

SNEAKY GOOD

Ottawa Redblacks 30th overall – Concordia LB Mickael Cote

Cote is a big, athletic man. I loved Ottawa’s draft strategy to get him and special teams ace Marco Dubois in May. Both are paying off and Cote recorded his first career special teams tackle this September.

BC Lions 7th overall – Georgia State Julien Laurent

As the Lions battle injuries all over the place, Julien Laurent has bounced up to the active roster and down to the practice roster several times this season. Despite being buried behind 2017 draft pick Junior Luke and June acquisition Davon Coleman, Laurent is contributing to a defensive line in BC that is suddenly amongst the CFL’s best with Calgary and Saskatchewan.