Update from Renegades training camp, day three
May 30, 2005 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release
KEMPTVILLE â The Ottawa Renegades Football Club hit the field at Kemptville College Monday for the second day of practices (twice daily) on the grass fields on the school's campus. After having the afternoon session washed out Sunday (moved to the gymnasium at the W.B. George Centre), the same occured for the third and fourth practices of the 2005 training camp.
The attention after practice was centred around towering defensive lineman Ray Jacobs, who spent 2004 out of football after being a West division all-star in 2003. The 32-year-old University of North Carolina product continued to improve on getting back in the swing of playing professional football as he enters his seventh year in the CFL.
"I did all the right things when I was out and continued to train and work hard," said the new Renegades free agent pickup. "My body feels good and it's good to get the rust off and get back into things. I feel like I have a lot to prove, but I don't feel pressure. The pressure was when I was out of football."
Jacobs was away from the game for a year after off-field incidents led to his release at training camp in B.C. last season. The time off, he said, was spent wisely.
"I never stopped training, I did some schooling, I had some time to self-reflect and did some self maintenance on my spiritual side," he said, while patiently answering any and all media questions as beads of sweat dripped from his forehead. "Conclusions? I realized I was not perfect. That I put myself in a situation and I was to blame. I had things taken away from me, and I learned from that. I accepted the responsibility and focused on my life and realized I am more than just a football player."
Renegades head coach and general manager Joe Paopao has been satisfied with what he has seen so far from Jacobs.
"From what I can see, after three real practices, I am pleased with him and John Turntine off the edge," said Paopao, who was with Jacobs in B.C. in 2000 as part of the Grey Cup winning team. "Kai Ellis is also there and up front we are more physical. (Defensive line coach) Richard Harris is happy with the group and we think he will make a major contribution."
So Jacobs, who played 31 NFL games with the Denver Broncos before moving to Canada and being a part of two Grey Cup teams (Calgary, 1999; B.C., 2000) during a 91-game Canadian career, said he went back to his roots while still remaining in British Columbia. In addition to his usual workouts, he continued to stay active in a competitive sport.
"I grew up with the church, got away from it, and then came back and I spoke to a pastor regularly in B.C. and it has helped," he said. "I also started playing Kabaddi, an East Indian sport that is kind of like rugby without a ball. It really helped with my reflexes and works cardio and mental skills. It was fun. We played in tournaments and it was fun."
Pencilled in the training camp roster as the starting left defensive end, Jacobs is relieved and ecstatic to get a "fresh start" with his fourth CFL club. He also feels his experience in the last 12 months has helped him become a better person, and, ultimately, a better football player.
"I've learned that things that come easy in life aren't worth doing," said the 6-foot-2, 245-pound father. "I've also learned how to pick my friends wisely and about self preservation and responsibility. One event in my life doesn't make Ray Jacobs. I have learned a lot and now put myself in a good situation where I think I can be better (than his 2003 all-star season). Joe (Paopao) is a great coach and I couldn't be happier as a man and as a football player today."
TRANSACTIONS: The Renegades added defensive back Greg Moss to the training camp roster Monday. The Florida International University product arrived late Sunday night, passed a phys! ical Monday morning and practiced in the afternoon... "We're still looking," said Paopao. "We may bring in another one or two but still give a full evaluation to the guys we have now." ... Leonard Myers, a defensive back who signed but did not report to camp, was put on the suspended list.
LIMITED ACTION: Cornerback Crance Clemons was inactive again... Punter/kicker Matt Kellett, acquired by Ottawa in a draft-day trade with Montreal, also did not practice. "(Kellett) is going to see the eye doctor at some point today (Monday) and hopefully be on the field Tuesday... Receiver Bashir Yamini was slowed down in the morning (quad)... Quarterback Tyler Paopao, receiver Darryl Ray as well as offensive linemen Val St-Germain and Christian Leibl-Cote did not practice the entire day. "Val hurt his groin two or three weeks ago and then tweaked it Sunday, so he is going to rest. Christian banged up his left knee and had some swelling, and more when he woke up (Monday), so he is going to see the doctor...
NEWS AND NOTES: With Kellett gone, the special teams units worked primarily on punting and incumbent Pat Fleming handled those duties... Markus Howell, a free agent pickup from Winnipeg, fielded punts for the first time on Monday... Cornerback George McCullough, who has been with the team since the inaugural 2002 season, intercepted a pass intended for Curtis Jackson at the near side of the fi! eld. The next pass thrown in the same vicinity to the same target was nabbed by Jackson... Ray Farmer, a scout from the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL was watching on at practice... Newcomer Robert Quiroga, a tall receiver, nabbed a touchdown pass... Yamini also soared and pulled in an acrobatic grab late in practice... Rookie offensive tackle Marc Parenteau and second-year defensive lineman Anthony Collier got into a brief scuffle that was broken up with teammates... Another full group of media were on hand Monday. Making their debut to the 2005 camp were Lisa Hillary (The Score), Terry Marcotte (CJOH Television, fresh off a trip to the Memorial Cup), Pat Runions (New RO) and Sylvain St-Laurent (Le Droit). St-Laurent covered the team in 2003 before handing the beat off to Martin Comtois, who will report to training camp Tuesday (no time scheduled yet for a physical).
SOUNDING OFF: Here are some of Joe Paopao's thoughts after the third outdoor practice of training camp...
"Our offensive line is shaping up. We have three weeks of training camp and two pre-season games and those will give us a good indication of where we are at. Right now, with our injuries (Cote, St. Germain), we are lean at the line. We only have nine guys practicing."
"Our focus since yesterday is to get set for a tough season. We are pleased our ownership situation has worked out."
On Kerry Joseph, starting quarterback (#4): "He looks good and he's poised and looks athletic. We told all our players at the end of last year to remember their best year ever as a football player and what weight they were carrying. A lot of guys have come back at the weight they felt was best. A quicker Kerry will be advantageous."
On Dimitrius Underwood, defensive lineman (#98): "Through three practices he looks fine and has had some good reps."
On running back Josh Ranek and if he's being pushed for a job: "Everyone is being pushed. Our other guys (Herbert Goodman and Ka'Ron Coleman) are going to work hard to knock Josh out. We have quality players to compete. They are one play away (to moving up on the depth chart) if he goes down"
If there is a different feel to camp in 2005...: "There is always a different feel. There are a lot of new faces and some men out of college. Every year is special."
PRACTICES CONTINUE TUESDAY: The second day of two-a-day practices continues Tuesday at Kemptville College. Players will be on the field for practice at 9 a.m. and again at 3:30 p.m... Most last for about two hours. To check out practice:
KEMPTVILLE COLLEGE
830 Prescott St.
Kemptville, ON
Canadian Football League Stories from May 30, 2005
- Stampeders day two review - Calgary Stampeders
- Renegades practice afternoon update - Ottawa Renegades
- Lions Extend Wally Buono's Contract - B.C. Lions
- Update from Renegades training camp, day three - Ottawa Renegades
- Renegades add another two players to training camp roster - Ottawa Renegades
- Training camp: day two - Montreal Alouettes
- Training Camp - Day 2 - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
