Tim Switzer Leader-Post
Friday, August 17, 2007

Solomon used to play with the Sheldon-Williams Spartans

Most first-year Canada West football players will open training camp this weekend just wanting to get their feet wet.

For at least a few University of Regina Rams rookies, the next two weeks will include a very fast education. Running back Taylor Kidby and receivers Jason Price and Kolten Solomon
are expected to be regular contributors to the Rams' offence in their first season.

"It's getting them understanding what we're doing offensively," said Rams head coach Frank McCrystal. "But part of the deal is going to be the game itself because it is quite a step up from high school.

"We're going to look to those guys to be a part of it if not as starters, but certainly as the next guys in. I guess training camp will tell that."

Sixty-six players will be in attendance this weekend as the Rams begin their camp at the U of R football field. The team will undergo testing today at the Rams facility and will take to the field for a two-a-day practices on Saturday and Sunday from 7:30-10 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.

The Rams lost four key players from last season's team in slotback Chris Getzlaf and wide receiver Chris Bauman, both of whom are now playing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and defensive ends Jon Labonte and Sean Brimacombe, who used up their five years of Canadian Interuniversity Sport eligibility.

Kidby, Solomon and Price are among 20 players fresh out of high school at the camp. The three starred at two of the top teams in Saskatchewan high school football over their careers -- Kidby with the Riffel Royals and Solomon and Price with the Sheldon-Williams Spartans.

Receivers Sean Herperger (Greenall) and Brenden Owens (O'Neill) could also emerge as big players for the Rams this season.

In all the Rams will have 43 returning players at camp, plus the 20 high schoolers and three players coming in from other programs.

"We've got to the point where we're cyclical," said McCrystal. "We've lost some good players, but we've also brought guys along that are going to be impact players. We've also managed to keep some guys that chose school over some other options like (fourth-year slotback) Chad Goldie."


After going 4-4 last season, the Rams fell to the Manitoba Bisons in a Canada West semifinal. But during the season, the U of R managed to beat perennial powerhouse and the eventual Vanier Cup finalist University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Such experience will no doubt lead to much higher expectations for veterans this season.

While the holes on offence should be filled rather easily, the team still needs to find more stability on defence. Led by quarterback Teale Orban, Canada West's Hec Crighton nominee as the national player of the year last season, Getzlaf and Bauman last season, the Rams were third out of 27 teams in CIS football averaging 452.5 yards per game. But the defence was ranked 22nd allowing 425 yards (including 212 along the ground) each contest.

"Our defence has to play more consistently and they have to make plays for us," said McCrystal. "I don't mean interceptions for touchdowns and those kinds of things, but they have to contain on second and long and they have to get some two-and-outs from our opponents." Linebackers Scott Magee (Regina Thunder) and Mat Nesbitt (Okanagan Sun) should go a long way toward that goal.

The Rams will likely cut their roster down closer to 60 players for their regular-season opener Sept. 1 against the Bisons at Mosaic Stadium.

Until then, days will include a steep learning curve for some players and learning to live with the high hopes of fans and coaches for others.

"It's always -- as much as anything -- a relief that it's starting," said McCrystal. "It's not always that much fun through the winter and the spring. When you're on the field, that's what it's all about and you feel more comfortable. That's what you've been planning for and preparing for and these are the guys you've got. Now we just go from there."

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