Rams get to see plan in action
Tim Switzer
The Leader-Post
Friday, April 25, 2008
University of Regina Rams coaches will spend the weekend finding out if
their plan is working.
In 2004, the Rams hung their hats on a number of young players who
developed into a team that went 6-2 last season before losing the Canada
West final.
With many of those players entering their final year of CIS eligibility, others will have to become key starters or, at the very
least, part of the Rams' travelling roster.
Those looking to make their mark will have their first chance to do so
when the Rams spring camp opens today at the U of R practice field.
"We took the initiative and had the confidence in the program to
believe that we could build football players," said Rams head coach
Frank McCrystal. "We have seen some of that. (Now we will see) if it is
a flash in the pan or are we cyclical. We're going to see those guys in
their fifth-years step into a leadership role. You'll see some young
guys step in and play and some recruits that we've brought in. We want
to see if they can play right away."
Many of Regina's starters are already set in stone with the return of
players like quarterback Teale Orban and cornerback Andrew Rumbaugh.
But with at least one offensive line spot (and potentially two more
depending on the CFL draft and training camps) and two linebacking spots
up for grabs, there are plenty of players looking to jump up on the
depth chart.
"I don't need to see Andrew Rumbaugh on the corner,'' said
McCrystal. "I don't need to see Charlie (McCrystal) at the safety. I don't need to
see (Sheldon) Tillotson at the fullback. This is the time for guys
entering their first to third year of eligibility to get a chance to win
a position. This is their time to show us what is going on."
The Rams are in need of a back-up running back after the graduation of
Derek Belvedere. McCrystal is looking to see if second-year player
Austin Kappel or rookie recruit, Levi Weaver, might fill the void. The
Rams will also get a look at Shohruh Noraliev, formerly of the Johnson
Wildcats, at the weekend camp.
In the linebacking corps, the Rams lost Mat Nesbitt when he signed with
the Edmonton Eskimos and Steve Wilson, who has chosen not to return to
the team. Wilson has one year of eligibility remaining, but is finished
his degree and decided to move on.
Former Regina Thunder players like Todd Kristoff and Scott Magee as
well as Chris Sciog, a redshirt last season, should see plenty of time
in those spots over the next three days.
McCrystal is also looking forward to getting a look at a number of
defensive backs, a spot where the Rams have one starting spot to fill
this year after the graduation of Steve Ryan and will have to fill more
next year with Charlie McCrystal, Aadon Fieger and Rumbaugh set to
graduate.
"I really want to see how well (second-year) Mike Kerr does," said
Frank McCrystal. "And then it will be interesting to see where some of
these young guys like (Taylor) Wandler, (Kirby) Kezama and (Jamir)
Walker that are all right in there. One of those guys may be travelling
with us."
The opening practice session begins today at 5 p.m. On Saturday players
will be on the field beginning at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday will
see skeleton drills at 9:45 a.m. and a scrimmage at 3:30 p.m
