Renegades training camp update

Published on May 29, 2005 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release


KEMPTVILLE – The Ottawa Renegades Football Club hit the field at Kemptville College Sunday for the opening of two-a-day practice! s on the grass fields on the school's campus. The morning session was held outdoors before mid-afternoon rains forced the team indoors – to the gymnasium at the W.B. George Centre – for the second practice between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.

It was an animated start to training camp practices and both coaches and players alike soaked in the sun and the realization that after a long off-season, it was back to business on the field.

"The focus is on the team and personnel and now we have to get the team ready to play," Renegades head coach and general manager Joe Paopao said after the opening two-hour practice. "When you look at our players, you see focused guys and they understand what it takes. Everyone's job is open and this is what camp is all about – competition.

"From the mood of the players, I saw a lot of enthusiasm. The guys were out an hour before practice and that is a good sign."

The second practice moved inside and the team worked, without pads, on many workouts and the coaching staff was satisfied with the progress made.

TRANSACTIONS: There were no moves on Sunday morning.

LIMITED ACTION: As indicated Saturday by Paopao, three players would be seeing limited action and that was, indeed the case. Cornerback Crance Clemons, a solid cover corner who was with the team in 2003 before moving on to the Indianapolis Colts, did not dress. Paopao said patience will be important for the California native. "It will probably be ! another couple of weeks before he gets on the field. We wanted to see where he was at, but now he's worth the wait. We know what he can do when he's healthy."... Punter/kicker Matt Kellett, who was acquired by Ottawa in a draft-day trade with Montreal, also did not practice. "He is scheduled to see an optometrist Monday – at the latest – and we know he can do field goals. We want to verify the status wi! th his eyes," said Paopao... Cam Yeow, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft by the Renegades, was dressed but was limited... Tyler Paopao, the team's backup quarterback at the end of last season but was primarily the emergency pivot after injuries last season, sat out most of the first practice after straining his shoulder. He did not practice in the afternoon and was listed as day-to-day... Receiver Darryl Ray left with a hamstring injury that Joe Paopao later said was a "pretty good pull that will probably be a three-to-six day deal (out of training camp practices)."... Offensive lineman Val St-Germain also took the second practice off after going full pads for the morning session.

NEWS AND NOTES: With Kellett gone, the special teams units worked primarily on punting and incumbent Pat Fleming handled those duties... Fabian Burke, a late addition after Hassan Probherbs retired, saw reps at defensive back and wore #43... Fleming came out wearing #8 – from #29 last year... The team did conditioning drills, running lines at the end of the second practice... A slimmer Kerry Joseph took the opening snap of the 2005 training camp and! his first pass was hauled in by Jason Armstead, the rookie receiver who a year ago was the most outstanding special teams player in the CFL's East Division... Korey Banks had his mouth roaring as the team stepped onto the field and the talking was backed up when the second-year halfback (pencilled in as starter) picked off a pass and returned it to the end zone... Newcomer Sean Weston, a product of Texas A&M, also had an interception... Veteran Canadian cornerback Dave Donaldson got tangled up with receiver Bashir Yamini by the video cart at mid-field in the morning, leading to a brief scuffle... On hand Sunday were many members of the media, including TSN's Brent Wallace, David Nay! lor from The Globe and Mail, Matthew Sekeres from The Ottawa Citizen, Don Brennan from The Ottawa Sun, Jeff Avery from Team 1200 (colour commentator), Terry Tinkess (Broadcast News), Dave Mitchell (Team 1200), Dean Brown (Team 1200, afternoon drive show)... Jack Jordan, the President of Football Canada, also took in the morning practice... Jason Armstead and Ka'Ron Coleman handled the returns on punt duties...

SOUNDING OFF: Here are how some of the Renegades sounded off after day one of training camp...

Kerry Joseph, starting quarterback (#4): "We need to get off to a good start and not think of last year. We have to forget about (2004) and focus on 2005 and those goals... On slimming down, dropping about 20 pounds: Over (the off-season), I did the pushaway. I pushed away from the (dinner) table and the cookie jar and focused on diet and training and did what I needed to be ready to go. My whole concern has been football. That is what I focused on... On his personal goals: "Staying hea! lthy and I pray things will go okay. I want to come out and play good football and help the team do well. I have set number goals for myself and help the team in doing that... On the team: "In house, we have to believe in ourselves."

Dimitrius Underwood, defensive lineman (#98): "This is my sanctuary, the football field and the weight room. I made some mistakes when I was younger, but I am older now and more mature... On differences in the Canadian game: I'm getting used to lining up a yard off the ball. Football is football... If his timing is off: In football, you can train but you can't really perform and be ready until you step on the field and I'm happy to be playing again."

Greg Marshall, new defensive coordinator/assistant director, player personnel: "Coming here is not like I am going back to a foreign land or anything."

Joe Paopao, head coach and general manager: "We are doing a lot more evaluation now to see who is good against the run and the pass. It's pretty vanilla now, but that is okay because it is early on – it's the first day of practice!"

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