Rams Improving at Spring Camp  

By Greg Urbanoski  

The second day of the 2007 University of Regina Rams Spring Camp is in the books and here are some casual observations.  

There is truly a battle going on for positions across the football field. Players like Taylor Kidby, John Kanaroski, Max Amyotte, Mike Picken, Dylan Kosbar, Mitch Warren, Kolten Solomon, just to name a few, made one impressive plays on Saturday afternoon at the Rams practice at the University of Regina.  

“We’re seeing some really good things like guys learning their plays and some real sound effort,” said Rams Head Coach Frank McCrystal.  

“It’s a little difficult with not just the physical part of camp but the mental part of it. We are trying to prepare them to do more than just butt heads. We are trying to prepare them for a game situation so it is a real and more complete situation.”  

McCrystal wants the players not just to be physically ready, but mentally ready. McCrystal said the game of football involves more than just than physical preparation and he is happy to see the mental improvement.  

“They are improving play to play, session to session, within the practice itself,” said McCrystal.  

“They are fundamentally sound not just individually, but in understanding the system. They are understanding the system as to what we want to do and how we are going to achieve it.”  

Among the impressive things at the Rams camp is not just the play of first year players, but how players like Devin Hillier and John Hashem have raised their level of play with the Rams. McCrystal said the Rams offensive line has come into its own.  

“Defensively I think it is important for us to get more of an edge and it starts with the defensive line,” said McCrystal.  

“They are practicing against one of the best offensive lines in the country and there are at least three, maybe four guys, who are capable right now of playing the CFL. So the defensive line is maybe now at a little bit of a disadvantage because they guys are ahead of them, but they are also at an advantage because they are playing against the best and that is going to make them better.”  

McCrystal hasn’t had a chance to get an idea as to the character of the 2007 Rams, but said leadership is something that this team needs to develop and determine.  

“We are going to have to find over the next few months some leadership,” said McCrystal.  

“I think those guys will find their place and it should come from those fourth and fifth year guys. We’ve got some guys on the offensive line, Max Ivanov and Brenden Labatte. People see Teale Orban as a leader because he produces and they count on him. We have got some leaders all over and we are looking for others.”  

The Rams will scrimmage Sunday afternoon and McCrystal said fans can expect to see an edgy scrimmage as players look to stand out in front of the coaches.  

“We are going to see a lot of quickness from guys like Kolten Solomon and Taylor Kidby,” said McCrystal.  

“If anyone has turned heads here it is Kidby. You notice him more because he is getting more touches and defensively our defensive backs are really good and our linebackers are stepping up and playing physical.”

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