4/25/2009 1:32:13 AM
Catching up

I figured I’d take the opportunity now that I have 5 seconds to form my thoughts, and get you caught up on the past couple of months. Even though it’s the offseason, there are still considerable comings and goings on my end.

I was blessed enough to have the opportunity to be cruising the South Caribbean for 10 days or so in March, soaking up sun and talking football with Ricky Ray, A.J. Gass, Danny Maciocia, Rick Lelacheur and several die hard Eskimo fans (is there any other kind?) Making stops in Princess Cays, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba gave me plenty of time to sort out the coming months in my head, as well as allow myself to relax somewhat for a little while during what is normally a frenzied time for me. Even with the cruise being so relaxing, I still managed to keep my workout schedule and not gain any weight in spite of all the fantastic food, which is a miracle of sorts really.

I took some time on the cruise to pick the brain of one of the best linebackers of our league in the past decade in A.J. Gass which will only help me in my constant plight to understand how I’m being defended at all times, from all levels. And while Ricky doesn’t talk much shop during vacations (and rightly so…) it’s always nice to bounce ideas and thoughts off of him whenever possible. We seem to both have the contention that this year’s offensive looks should pose more problems to opposing defenses than last year. Even with the loss of Campbell, who is was no doubt the league’s biggest home run threat through the air, the addition of Lumsden who is no doubt the league’s biggest home run threat on the ground will in turn make us more potent, because the addition of the ground threat opens up the rest of us more than the air threat does. Exciting times indeed!

While talking to A.J. at length the thought crossed my mind that with the loss of both Goose, Siddeeq, as well as Shannon Garrett since then, it will be interesting to see who fills the vocal leader role defensively. I have a feeling that Maurice will speak his fair share, and hopefully others will follow suit. Dario and Fred Perry, both know how we do things here, and are steeped in defensive experience as is Jason Goss, and even Scott Gordon, but it’s always interesting to see guys evolve before your eyes and become more than just players…anxious to see that play out.

I was sad to see Guillory leave for greener pastures in Hamilton, but at the same time certainly understand his reasoning. I do hope that he makes the mark that he hopes for in steel town.
From the Eskimo cruise, I really only had a week or so to be home and start to finalize the plans for Playmaker U Passing Camp on April 17-19th. Much of that time was spent running the city in search of sponsorship, as well as securing arrangements for the coaches. Goose Barrenechea, Henry Burris, Jason Maas, Shannon Garrett, Calvin McCarty would be the induction class of coaches at this inaugural camp. Before that could occur, I had to fly down to the CFLPA annual general meetings in Las Vegas as one of the player representatives from the Eskimos. It was interesting to see the workings of the PA on a more up close and personal scale, especially in light of the current financial state of things globally, as well as with us coming into the last year of our current collective bargaining agreement. I’m someone who always likes to see issues from both sides of the fence, so this was a nice chance for me to really take the players perspective on every issue at hand, while posing them against my own ideals of management/league stances on those same issues. An enlightening trip all in all, not to mention anytime you can end up coming home from Vegas with money in your pocket...you really can’t complain.

Once back from the AGM things seem to fast forward to where we currently sit. In terms of Eskimo news we announced that we won’t be coming into camp with any import running backs that were on the roster last year. This move while it may not sit well with some, I doubt that it will shock a great many people. Damien Anderson, Ron Mclendon, and AJ Harris all served well as Eskimos in their time, and did well with the opportunities given them. I wish all of them well, and I would be surprised if AJ isn’t on the Lions, Argos, or Riders rosters before the year is out. The addition of Lumsden coupled with an already established up and comer in Calvin McCarty lends us to so much ratio flexibility, an import back would truly have to be something to see in order to factor seriously into the equation, I would imagine. Goldie lives here year round and will no doubt resurface in some capacity with the club, and Damien’s talents extend far beyond the football field, so I’m not worried about any of these guys landing on their feet. AJ showed enough last year to warrant getting on someone’s squad so it would surprise me if he wasn’t suiting up against us soon.

As I mentioned earlier, Shannon Garrett decided to hang up the cleats in recent weeks and he will leave an enormous void in our defence and our team. I’ve been fighting Shannon Garrett for the better part of a decade, and he’s always held my respect both as a person and as a player. His wealth of knowledge about so many positions honestly doesn’t come along often in a player. The fact that he’s been able to marry his supreme understanding of the game, with his ability to still run and play fast enough to stay on the field amidst so many younger athletes, is really a testament to the man himself. He obviously leaves a gaping hole at the most difficult spot on the defensive side of the ball in my opinion, (and not just because they have to defend me) at SAM linebacker. Whispers indicate that Lenny Williams may be a prime candidate to fill that void, which wouldn’t shock me and would actually validate a bit of foreshadowing that I predicted to Lenny in his second week with us in 2007. If the coaches decide that Lenny fits into that spot, and he can stay healthy for a whole year at SAM – I’d be surprised if he wasn’t at least a western All-star at the position. Hall’s defence forces that position to be a playmaker, and there are few bigger playmakers on our roster than Lenny Williams. In studying some of our new DB signings, it wouldn’t shock me to see quite a few different jersey numbers lining up on me during training camp at that spot, as many of them seem to physically fit that SAM role.
The recent release of JR Larose is a tough one to swallow, as team releases sometimes are. Knowing the struggles that JR has had over the last couple of years with injury, as well as general growing pains has me interested to see what will become of him as a player. He is at a crossroads in his career, and will have the predominant hand in deciding his own fate. If he chooses to rehab the leg fully, and get back down to playing form, he will most definitely resurface with another team. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him back in Edmonton under the right circumstances either, really. With his youth, and hometown hero status, the cards are completely in his hands.

Aside from all of the difficult news and loss, I was able to manage a couple of personal victories in the last few months. An old mentor of mine, Travis Moore re-surfaced in the CFL as an assistant coach with the Ti-cats. Another old teammate for whom I carry a great deal of respect was welcomed into the CFL Hall of Fame – congratulations to Alondra Johnson, it is a well deserved honor. And finally, PLAYMAKER U jumped out in a success with our passing camp. All things pointing up for PLAYMAKER U General Camp to do even better on May 22-24th, then again with coaches like Ricky Ray, Jason Maas, Jesse Lumsden, Adam Braidwood, Patrick Kabongo, and Javi Glatt…not much else for it to do.

Camp’s right around the corner it seems and I’m working with a good young Edmonton prospect named Kevin Wuthrich that has reached out to me for some tutelage. I’m hoping that I can throw the little bit that I’ve learned into him in time for him to do something with it, and start his own career as a pass catcher, baby steps though…for now, he’s keeping me young trying to wear him out each workout. ©

Kp8