//DATE: April 26, 2007
//For Immediate Release

Rams Spring Camp Begins Friday

REGINA, Sask. – More than five months following the end of their 2006 season, the University of Regina Rams will take to the field once again this weekend for their 2007 spring camp. All practices and scrimmages will take place at the Rams' practice field located on the U of R campus.

The camp will kick off on Friday with a practice from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday will feature two practices, with the first scheduled for 9:30 to 11:35 a.m. and the second for 3:30 to 5:35 p.m. Sunday will feature a pass skeleton beginning at 9:30 a.m. before the players break for the camp-ending scrimmage. Pitting the offence against the defence, the Laurentian Bank Securities Green/Gold Game is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.

This weekend could be the final action that receivers Chris Bauman and Chris Getzlaf see in Rams colours. Both are considered excellent candidates to be selected in the upcoming Canadian Football League draft, and could suit up for a CFL team instead of returning to the university ranks. Though Getzlaf has three years of CIS eligibility remaining and Bauman has one, it's a dilemma that Rams offensive coordinator Bernie Schmidt is glad to have and is prepared to deal with.

"Given an opportunity in a CFL camp, they'll show well," Schmidt said. "We're thinking that at least one of Bauman or Getzlaf won't be available to us this year, but we've got existing guys who can play. Alan Kyle was a starter for us until he ran into concussion problems, and Jared Ralko has worked hard and we're confident he can come in and do the job. We've also got a pretty good crop of high school recruits to push for a spot in case one of those guys do go to the CFL."

Along with Bauman and Getzlaf, quarterback Teale Orban will be a player to watch on the offensive side of the ball. Orban, a Hec Crighton finalist for the most outstanding player in the CIS, will return to the Rams for his fourth season of eligibility next season. Orban set a Canada West record after tossing 26 touchdown passes during the 2006 season and, after just three seasons with the Rams, already ranks 19th in league history with 5367 career passing yards.

Schmidt expects running back Jesse Elford, quarterback Marc Mueller, receiver Jason Price, and lineman David Stefanuk to be among the top newcomers for the offence during camp.

The defence will be led at camp by returning two-time All-Canadian linebacker Steve Wilson, who has led the CIS in tackles in each of the past two seasons. Wilson recorded 90 tackles last season to go along with seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, two pass breakups, a sack, and a forced fumble.

One of only five Rams to be entering their fifth year of CIS eligibility, defensive back Steve Ryan will be counted on to continue to provide defensive coverage, quality kick returns, and perhaps most importantly, veteran leadership. Last season, Ryan broke up five passes, recorded three interceptions, and had 25 tackles, three sacks, and a fumble recovery. He was also the team's statistical leader in punt returns, averaging 17.7 yards per return during the regular season – a number which doesn't even take into account his 95-yard punt return touchdown against Manitoba in the playoffs.

"Wilson, Ryan, and (Joel) Lipinski should all be quality players for us next year, but they're also eligible for the (CFL) draft," Rams head coach Frank McCrystal said. "And we've got other guys who can make an impact too. Stan van Sichem and Brandon Ganne should be major contributors for us as well. These guys are coming of age – they're 21, 22 now and have been in the program for a few years. They've established themselves academically, allowing them to concentrate on football, and have matured physically and gained experience."

McCrystal expects players like Mike Kerr and Tamon George, both defensive backs, to be able to step into contributing roles after watching from the sidelines last year. He pegged defensive lineman Scott Moore and linebewcomers who could make immediate impacts on the defensive side of the ball.

The Rams will lose just two players from their 2006 team - defensive linemen Sean Brimacombe and Jon Labonte - to graduation.



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