Update from Renegades training camp, day six

Published on June 2, 2005 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release


KEMPTVILLE – The hottest day of Training Camp 2005 welcomed the Ottawa Renegades Football Club to their ninth and tenth practices during two-a-day sessions. With one practice scheduled for Friday, the team will get a little rest and recovery time in preparation for the 2005 Black-White Scrimmage on Saturday, June 4 (free admission, open to the public).

It was a day for receivers to shine, the special teams unit to get more work in and for the offensive line to continue to make do as another injury hit the team.

CFL veteran Mike Sutherland, an Ottawa native who just re-signed as a free agent with the Renegades after arriving in the capital in 2003, missed the afternoon practice with an injured hand. The offensive guard/centre got banged up and was taken for x-rays during the eighth outdoor session the team has gone through since hitting the field for the first time last Sunday.

Sutherland became the fourth Renegades offensive lineman to get injured during camp. Val St-Germain has also been idle (groin), as has rookie Christian Leibl-Cote (knee) and Samir Chahine (hamstring).

The sun wasn't the only bright spot for the Renegades Thursday.

Wide receiver Bashir Yamini made some outstanding grabs in the afternoon, including a pair of diving nabs. Sophomore David Azzi, also an Ottawa product, had two tough catches in the morning – one with a safety draped on his shoulder, the other in double coverage. Sean Bennett made one of the top receptions in camp when he hauled in a pass – while twisting his body sideways despite two members of the secondary swarming him.

TRANSACTIONS: None.

LIMITED ACTION: Cornerback Crance Clemons (knee), linebacker Erik Dandy (hamstring), quarterback Tyler Paopao (shoulder), receiver Darryl Ray (hamstring), defensive linemen Kai Ellis (inflammation in knee, precautionary) and Anthony Collier as well as the four aforementioned offensive linemen...

NEWS AND NOTES: Special teams work took up a good chunk of practice Thursday and Pat Fleming continued to excel punting the ball. The trio of Jason Armstead (CFL Eastern division nominee for special teams player of the year in 2004) handled return duties, along with Markus Howell and Ka'Ron Coleman... After the morning practice, the Renegades hosted their 2005 Media Training Camp. Head coach Joe Paopao and trusty assistants Tommy Condell and ! Kani Kauahi took about a dozen members of the working media through different drill stations, one-on-one simulations and in all a 40-minute session into a live-experience of what some football practices are all about. Lisa Hillary from The Score was rumoured to have been added to the Renegades negotiation list. Ken Reid of the New RO – a decade removed from being enshrined into the Sam's Lounge hall-of-fame in Stellarton, Nova Scotia – was asked by Coach Paopao to return his playbook and was promptly released after dropping every pass thrown at him.

SOUNDING OFF:

Here are some of Joe Paopao's thoughts after Thursday's practices...

"This year we have a lot more new guys in camp so we're doing a lot more and taking a lot more reps, which is really helping us." On the return of defensive linemen Cameron Legault and Marc Pilon to the city where their football careers began as children:

"They bring us size and experience and we're happy they're home. They were available this year and the timing worked out. We needed to go after these guys." On No. 3 quarterback Paul Peterson, signed out of Boston College earlier in the spring:

"He is taking advantage of the snaps and learning. He has done a good job so far and he is working hard to improve and digest as much as he can. He brings the intangibles: he is a leader, he makes plays and puts the ball where it has to be. He performed very well in college and we are really satisfied in his progress." Comments from new executive vice-president of football operations, Forrest Gregg:

"We are evaluating the players we have and the coaches have given me a lot of information and been helpful as we take in all we can during practices and do our judging. The relationship with Joe (Paopao) is working very, very well. He is a good coach, an experienced coach, he's played forever, coached in many different places for many years and he knows the business and what it takes to win... We are structuring this team toward getting the best football players."

The team practices only once on Friday – the first break from two-a-days. The Renegades will be on the field at 8:20 a.m. again for their only session of the day.

Practice is open to fans and free of charge. To check it out...

KEMPTVILLE COLLEGE

830 Prescott St.

Kemptville, ON

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From Ottawa take Highway 416 South to Kemptville. Take exit 34 and merge right (west) on Highway 43. Drive approximately 1 km and turn left on County Road 19. Proceed to end. Turn right on Van Buren Street to the end. Turn left a! t Prescott St. The college will be located approximately 1/2 km on the right.

FIELD LOCATION: The Renegades practice on the fields located at the southwest corner of the campus, south of Parish Hall and the W.B. George Centre. Spectators are welcome to attend. In case of inclement weather, closed practices (closed to the public) will be held inside the gymnasium at the W.B. George Centre.

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