Training Camp 2014 ... Day 17

[B.C.FAN]

A spot on the roster in the absence of Manny?

Encouraging news on that front today, courtesy of the Sun's Iain MacIntyre:

"Lion Emmanual (sic) Arceneaux's broken hand is less serious than initially feared and the receiver, injured Saturday while practising, may be able to start catching balls within two weeks. The team has an exhibition game Friday in Edmonton and opens its regular season at home against the Eskimos on June 28."

HERE


DH

That is encouraging, David. In the meantime, the other guys get two preseason games to show their stuff. Burnham didn't show me anything on the weekend. I'd rank him a distant third behind Korey Williams and Jabin Sambrano among the three import non-starters trying crack the roster. Williams is first in that group by a mile.

[Shi Zi Mi]

David......that is also a very informative piece on Khalif Mitchell:

http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Khalif ... z34IiQuUiz

[David]

If you watch Iain's video report, he indicates that the club is optimistic that Arceneaux MAY be able to start in the season opener.

Thanks to all who have contributed to training camp reports. A few questions:

1) Haven't heard anything on draft pick David Menard. Any word as to how he's performed?
2) Tony Burnett was a key off-season signing for nickel but haven't heard much about him. I think he's in a battle with Josh Johnson about whom I am hearing very favourable things. Thoughts?
3) This is supposed to be Haidara's breakout year. How has he looked? My suspicion is nothing exceptional to get noticed, but interested in others' take.


Thanks!

DH

[TheLionKing]

http://bclions.com/video/index/id/97053

[Shi Zi Mi]

Jamie Dykstra ‏@CFL_PR 3h

(1/2) Important #CFLTC14 Dates: Prior to 11:59pm EDT on Sunday June 15, all #CFL teams must reduce their roster to 65 players.

(2/2) 10pm EDT Saturday, June 21, all #CFL Teams must reduce their roster to 46 active players - minimum of 20 non-import players #CFLTC14

[B.C.FAN]

If you watch Iain's video report, he indicates that the club is optimistic that Arceneaux MAY be able to start in the season opener.

Thanks to all who have contributed to training camp reports. A few questions:

1) Haven't heard anything on draft pick David Menard. Any word as to how he's performed?
2) Tony Burnett was a key off-season signing for nickel but haven't heard much about him. I think he's in a battle with Josh Johnson about whom I am hearing very favourable things. Thoughts?
3) This is supposed to be Haidara's breakout year. How has he looked? My suspicion is nothing exceptional to get noticed, but interested in others' take.


Thanks!

DH

1. Menard wasn't noticeable in my time in Kamloops. Neither were any non-starters except Chris Wilson. The offensive line was dominating the defensive line.
2.Burnett was playing safety behind McGarva even though he isn't listed that way on the depth chart. I'm not sure what to make of him. He didn't stand out.
3. Haidara was getting lots of reps with Iannuzzi and (for a couple of days) Taylor on the sidelines. He was getting open and being targeted and dropping passes. A lot of passes. Disappointing. Other non-imports, including Gore, were equally disappointing.

[pennw]

The offensive line was dominating the defensive line.

Do you think this was reflecting well on the OL or just poorly on the DL ? If it's the latter then perhaps our scouts better get back to work .

[B.C.FAN]

The offensive line was dominating the defensive line.

Do you think this was reflecting well on the OL or just poorly on the DL ? If it's the latter then perhaps our scouts better get back to work .

That's always the $64,000 question at training camp, especially along the lines. Is the offence really good or the defence really bad (or vice versa). Last year it looked like Jabar Weaternan and Brandon Jordan were going to have breakout seasons in the interior of the defensive line. Reality set in when they met Jon Cornish and the Calgary O-line in the season opener.

As for the scouting of DL talent, the last star rookie recruit was Cam Wake, in the Bob O'Billovich era. The lack of fresh talent each year is astounding.

[MexicoLionFan]

The offensive line was dominating the defensive line.

Do you think this was reflecting well on the OL or just poorly on the DL ? If it's the latter then perhaps our scouts better get back to work .

That's always the $64,000 question at training camp, especially along the lines. Is the offence really good or the defence really bad (or vice versa). Last year it looked like Jabar Weaternan and Brandon Jordan were going to have breakout seasons in the interior of the defensive line. Reality set in when they met Jon Cornish and the Calgary O-line in the season opener.

As for the scouting of DL talent, The last star rookie recruit was Cam Wake, in the Bob O'Billovich era. The lack of fresh talent each year is astounding.

Yes BCF...the regime after Obie of Wally and Shivers has dropped the ball...the lack of new, FA import talent here is astounding considering what Obie brought here year after year...we are at a point where we can't count on a single new starter from this group, when each year Obie would bring us 2 or 3 outstanding players...major drop off.

[TheLionKing]

Day 11 http://bclions.com/article/training-cam ... 0611085657

With their first preseason game against the Edmonton Eskimos coming up on Friday, the Lions hit the field for their last two-a-day of training camp with some extra energy.

The defence and offence were competing hard today, with a good amount of friendly fire coming from the sidelines. The guys are turned up as we get down to the wire. Everyone is fighting for a spot on that roster with some key rookies stepping up in a big way.

The Rookies:
Not enough can be said for the campaign that Bryan Burnham has been running at camp. The receiver had several stellar catches in the team periods today including one highlight-reel snag on a 20-yard lob from Kevin Glenn in double coverage. Burnham stumbled, but broke free of the tackle and took off up field for a sure TD.

Quarterback Travis Partridge is proving to be a quick study of the Canadian game demonstrating strong downfield vision and quick feet on the run. The pivot saw some serious pressure from the D-line in the team periods but maintained confidence in the pocket, finding open receivers when the intended routes were blocked.

Whitman Tomusiak, or Tin Tin, as the guys call him, is developing into a solid receiver. He had several big plays in the team periods that included a rolling, one-handed snag off a high pass. After spending last season on the practice roster, he returned to camp this season stronger and faster, and is impressing offensive coordinator Khari Jones with his intelligence and commitment to running effective routes.

Porkchop! Porkchop! The hero of yesterday’s Can a Linman Catch a Football had a strong practice today, keeping the offence at bay throughout the first team period and blocking off routes during the short-yardage plays near the end of practice.

All About the D:
Brandon McDonald had his second interception is as many days today, maintaining close coverage in man-on-man and stripping the ball away from the waiting receiver. Thomas Spoletini also recorded an interception in the first team period.

Khalif Mitchell was all over the QBs today, twice shedding blocks to rush in the team periods and repeatedly beating his man during the inside-run period. Dante Marsh had a couple solid pass breakups in the team periods as well.

The Run Game:
The O-line was excellent during the team periods, with Akwasi Antwi, who recently shifted from linebacker to fullback, and Andre Ramsey making all kinds of room for the quick-footed running back Tim Brown to maneuver.

Quotes of Note:
“Way to work yours asses off for two weeks. Now we get to hit someone else!”- Offensive lineman Dean Valli on the upcoming Edmonton game as he broke down practice.


Watching:
Cody Husband (foot), Emmanuel Arceneaux (hand), Hunter Steward (knee), Solomon Elimimian (hamstring), Cord Parks (shoulder), Adam Bighill (groin), Brandon Jordan (shoulder), Cam Chism (foot), Rob Lohr (knee), Khreem Smith (hamstring), and Steven Doege (upper body) did not participate today.

[pennw]

Watching:
Cody Husband (foot), Emmanuel Arceneaux (hand), Hunter Steward (knee), Solomon Elimimian (hamstring), Cord Parks (shoulder), Adam Bighill (groin), Brandon Jordan (shoulder), Cam Chism (foot), Rob Lohr (knee), Khreem Smith (hamstring), and Steven Doege (upper body) did not participate today.

That's half our starting defense there , hope those aren't serious .

[MexicoLionFan]

Watching:
Cody Husband (foot), Emmanuel Arceneaux (hand), Hunter Steward (knee), Solomon Elimimian (hamstring), Cord Parks (shoulder), Adam Bighill (groin), Brandon Jordan (shoulder), Cam Chism (foot), Rob Lohr (knee), Khreem Smith (hamstring), and Steven Doege (upper body) did not participate today.

That's half our starting defense there , hope those aren't serious .

Yikes...that's a lot of potentially problematic injuries...has Sol E. NOT been injured since he returned???

[Rammer]

Watching:
Cody Husband (foot), Emmanuel Arceneaux (hand), Hunter Steward (knee), Solomon Elimimian (hamstring), Cord Parks (shoulder), Adam Bighill (groin), Brandon Jordan (shoulder), Cam Chism (foot), Rob Lohr (knee), Khreem Smith (hamstring), and Steven Doege (upper body) did not participate today.

That's half our starting defense there , hope those aren't serious .

Yikes...that's a lot of potentially problematic injuries...has Sol E. NOT been injured since he returned???

Somewhat nursing one last season (hamstring as well IIRC), and it seems to be lingering into this TC. Not liking the idea of dealing with that off and on for another season.

[Lions4ever]

Rutgers might be a little concerned that its been demoted to the status of a "college".

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.cfl.ca/video/index

I like Milanovich as a coach. No nonsense. Gives up some good stuff when he talks. Seems to always have his team well prepared and well motivated.

And there is Ricky Ray. One of the all time greats. So calm. Accurate. Throws deep enough. Slices and dices all over the field.