Rams are confident they can replace veterans
Matthew Kruchak
Leader-Post
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Rams' Brandon Ganne is hoping to step into the hole left by a pair of
departing veterans. CREDIT: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post
The University of Regina Rams football team knows it can't replace a
pair of graduating All-Canadian linebackers but they're confident they
have excellent players to fill the vacancies.
The Rams will play this season without Mat Nesbitt, the 2007 Canadian
Interuniversity Sport Presidents' Trophy winner as the league's
defensive player-of-the-year and a first team All-Canadian, and Steve
Wilson, a 2006 second team All-Canadian and 2005 first team All-Canadian.
The duo may have been the best tacklers in the country, head coach Frank
McCrystal said, but the team has some talented veterans and a couple key
recruits entering spring camp, which began Friday and wraps up Sunday.
"It's always difficult to fill those kind of positions and the contribution those guys made, but on the flip side, it provides
opportunity for other guys like Brandon Ganne and Scott Magee,"
he said. "You're going to see those guys do some of the same kinds of things."
Ganne, who finished third on the team behind Nesbitt and Wilson with 39
tackles in 2007, is ready to have a stand-out season of his own.
"It's kind of been tough," said Ganne, who is entering his fourth year.
"I've kind of been in the shadows of Wilson and Nesbitt so I guess it's
my time to shine. I'm ready to step up and be a leader. I'm feeling
really confident about that."
After only the first spring camp session, Ganne had already impressed
defensive co-ordinator Paul Dawson.
"The guy looked unbelievable today," Dawson said. "He's going to be a
real star."
Dawson is also praising Magee's potential. The fourth-year player would
have started on any other squad in the CanadaWest conference, Dawson
said.
"He is going to get his chance to play and he's an unbelievable
athlete," he said. "He's fast and tough. He was a star in junior
football and I don't see any reason why he won't be a star for us as
well."
Heading into his second season with the Rams, Todd Kristoff is looking
for a starting spot.
"I'm hoping to fill in the role but they've got lots of good recruits
and it will be a battle for sure," he said. "I'm not really worried
about it. The best 12 guys get on the field and if you truly think
you're one of the best 12, then you'll find your way on the field
somehow."
The team has been preparing for the loss of Nesbitt and Wilson for a
while, said linebackers coach Jeff Zimmer. He gave some younger
linebackers some playing time last season and the coaching staff has
been recruiting as well.
The Rams invited Phil Dyck, from the Vancouver area, Marco
Contenti, from Fort Saskatchewan, and Alex Meldrum, from Balgonie, out to spring
camp.
"They kind of fit that size and stuff of that middle linebacker type to
replace Mat Nesbitt," Zimmer said. "So we're looking to see if they
compete well and push for these positions.
Another potential starter in the middle of the defence is Bruce Anderson
of Port Moody, B.C. The 19-year-old played two seasons with the Butte
Junior College Roadrunners in California and will be wearing Green and
Gold this season.
He couldn't make it to Regina over the weekend so coaches will have to
wait until training camp to see what he can do.
Even though the core of the defence will be gone, the players around it
will be strong, Dawson said.
"I think our defensive line is going to be outstanding," he said. "I
think we're going to be fine. The defensive backs are going to be a real
strong group so we'll get a lot of support from those guys. I'm
confident that we'll be pretty good."
