Update from Renegades training camp, day 10
Published on June 6, 2005 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release
KEMPTVILLE â The Ottawa Renegades Football Club was back to the cycle of two-a-day practices during the 2005 training camp Monday. Following the team's 2005 Black-White Scrimmage on Saturday and no training sessions Sunday, the squad had the upcoming pre-season opener in mind (June 9 at Percival Molson Stadium in Montreal against the Alouettes, ! 7 p.m.) as it took the field for the pair of practices today at Kemptville College/University of Guelph.
The Renegades spent a over an hour in the morning in full pads before putting in about 90 minutes on the field in the afternoon portion of the day with only their helmets, football pants and practice jerseys. Plenty of the talk among players and coaches was getting prepared for the first of two exhibition games. Both are against Montreal on consecutive Thursday's, including the June 16 pre-season affair at Frank Clair Stadium (7 p.m.).
Monday opened grey and overcast as a light drizzle trickled prior to practice. By the time the Renegades were on the field, the precipitation had stopped and by the mid-way point of the session, the sun was out. The team welcomed back offensive linemen Samir Chahine and Christian Leibl-Cote, who missed part of last week due to injury. Also returning to the practice field was receiver Pat Woodcock and rookie linebacker Erik Dandy.
A good portion of practice was spent doing offence and defence walk-through's with some one-on-one sessions. After a day off, everyone seemed to be refreshed and ready to go.
"We have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball," explained starting quarterback Kerry Joseph afterwards. "You see that talent every day and in this training camp we are looking for positive things. A lot of guys are playing hard and playing fast."
Woodcock agreed.
"We have a lot of confidence right now and we've to keep that up all season long," said the Kanata native. "The key for everyone is staying healthy."
In the afternoon, the emphasis was special teams. Joining second-year incumbent Jason Armstead and newcomers Ka'Ron Coleman and Markus Howell returning punts and kicks was Greg Moss, a rookie out of Florida International University, who signed with the club last week. Practice ended with both Matt Kellett and Pat Fleming attempting field goals from 37-yards out.
TRANSACTIONS: Renegades head coach and GM Joe Paopao told the media that the team had collected veteran defensive tackle Johnny Scott's rights off of waivers and that he had spoken with the American lineman early on Monday morning. Paopao said he expects Scott to arrive in Kemptville later this week but probably won't play the Alouettes Thursday.
LIMITED ACTION: Cornerback Crance Clemons (knee), quarterback Tyler Paopao (shoulder), receiver Darryl Ray (hamstring), defensive linemen Kai Ellis (inflammation in knee, precautionary), offensive linemen Val St-Germain (groin) and Mike Sutherland (hand) and running back Herbert Goodman (meniscus injury suffered during Saturday's scrimmage) were missing... Linebacker Kyries Hebert was excused ! for the afternoon practice â and the next few days â after receiving clearance to fly home due to a family emergency. He, too, is not expected to play Thursday against the Als... Receiver David Azzi pulled up with a hamstring injury that isn't too serious...
NEWS AND NOTES: Rookie Renegades quarterback Paul Peterson burst through the line Monday afternoon and scampered for a 25-yard touchdown rush. His celebration included spinning the ball in the end zone, crouching over it and placing his palms over top of the ball... Donnie Ruiz had one of the top plays of the day in the secondary, knocking away a sure touchdown pass to first-year receiver Robert Quiroga in the back of the end zone... Veterans Yo Murphy and Josh Ranek were excused for the afternoon practice to take part in a ch! arity golf tournament... Two guest coaches bid adieu from Kemptville after helping the team the last week. Paopao's brother, Tony and Trace Deneke left for California after aiding the staff for the first 11 practices of camp.
SOUNDING OFF:
Here are some of Joe Paopao's thoughts after Monday's practice...
"This has been a competitive week and it's the spirit of camp. It is what camp is all about. A true evaluation is a game situation and what a great team we have to be measured against (Thursday). They are a great passing team with a great quarterback."
On the big receiver targets in camp, including Bashir Yamini, Sparky Hamilton and Robert Quiroga:
"It's just outstanding when you have guys that are big targets and can move. Is it a must to be bigger at receiver? Well, you still have got to have enough smarts to move on your feet and make plays and make that catch. We felt we needed to have more size overall."
On distribution of playing time in the pre-season game:
"Last night we talked about the number of snaps (players would get). I doubt Kai Ellis will play. There is no need to evaluate what he can do. On the return side of things, Howell, Moss and Coleman will see a lot of action since we know what Armstead can do. Keaton Cromartie is coming off an excellent scrimmage. Dimitrius Underwood will see at least a quarter â maybe more."
On the fullback situation:
"Cory Hathaway has been outstanding at the fullback position for us! He has some training at tight end (where he played in college, at Tulsa) and has helped immediately. He was definitely coached up. He has size and toughness and if we have to start a guy right now, he's the guy. A lot of it is technique and now we'll get to see how he reacts in a game situation. We think he's emerged as a key guy for us."
Hathaway on what his first camp has been like after being drafted by Ottawa in the fourth round:
"I'm trying to earn my keeps as a rookie. I just graduated and learning about the speed of the game. The tempo is much faster and the quality of players and who you are playing is different. You've got to do what you've got to do. Once you get the timing down, it's pretty much the same game. In college, at Tulsa, the tight end (in our offence) took snaps at the fullback position too and the reps in college have helped make it a good fit."
Canadian Football League Stories from June 6, 2005
- 75th anniversary celebration - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Update from Renegades training camp, day 10 - Ottawa Renegades
- Day nine review - Calgary Stampeders
- Training Camp - Day Nine - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Training camp - day nine - Montreal Alouettes
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