CFL Draft 2015, Nic Demski, Pick #6 in Round 1

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/nfl/ca ... m-combine/

Canadian Bridge proves he has NFL arm at combine

Mississauga, Ont., native Brandon Bridge (Brynn Anderson/AP)

Justin Dunk

February 22, 2015, 9:51 AM

Four young Canadians just made it through the toughest job interviews of their careers at the 2015 NFL Combine.

Brandon Bridge, Tyler Varga, Brett Boyko and Christian Covington have completed their whirlwind four-day sessions in Indianapolis — early mornings, late nights and long days as they were put under the microscope by NFL teams.

Bridge and Boyko were the only two Canucks that participated in the entire combine — a minor ankle injury kept Varga from doing any on-field drills, and Covington opted out because he’s coming off knee surgery in November and is still recovering.

“If you’re hurt every coach and scout understands. But if you make the choice that you don’t want to do it, that’s a different conversation,” NFL Network Draft analyst Mike Mayock says.

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As long as both players work out at their pro days — Covington on March 11 and Varga March 31 — as they’re scheduled to do, it won’t matter that they didn’t take the field at the combine.

Meanwhile, Boyko and Bridge were able to show what they could do on the turf in Indy. Despite running a slow 40, as if that even matters for an offensive lineman, Boyko shook off some nerves and turned in a solid effort in the positional drills. If you asked Bridge he would’ve likely wanted to run a faster time over 40 yards, but “Air Canada’s” arm was on full display.

Canadians’ NFL Combine measurements and results

Brandon Bridge, QB, South Alabama
Mississauga, Ont.
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 229 pounds
40-yard time: 4.72
225-pound bench press: DNP

Tyler Varga, RB, Yale
Kitchener, Ont.
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 222 pounds
40-yard time: DNP
225-pound bench press: 23 reps

Brett Boyko, OL, UNLV
Saskatoon, Sask.
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 301 pounds
40-yard time: 5.60
225-pound bench press: DNP

Christian Covington, DL, Rice
Vancouver, BC
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 289 pounds
40-yard time: DNP
225-pound bench press: DNP

Brandon Bridge’s combine throwing session

Your’s truly was part of a small group of writers that were granted access to take in Bridge’s passing period from a Lucas Oil Stadium luxury box. Only note pads and pens were allowed — no phones. So here are the notes on how Bridge performed:

Bridge was asked to execute an array of drops and throw a number of different patterns during his on field session Saturday. He threw three-step slants, five-step 10-yard outs, five-step 12-yard hooks, seven-step 17-yard square in routes and seven step post-corners.

On the quick game throws, Bridge showed compact, crisp feet. The ball came out in rhythm after his back foot hit the ground on his third step. That allowed him to deliver the football on time. Ball placement was precise on slant throws, out in front and leading the receiver so he could catch and run in stride.

Five-step throws started to show Bridge’s inconsistencies with his footwork. His feet were slow and he was off balance when throwing out routes to the left, causing balls to be thrown behind receivers coming out of their breaks. When throwing outs to the right hand side, Bridge’s feet were considerably better. He transferred weight smoothly and drove the ball with pace and ideal placement on each of those passes. And you could easily tell he was comfortable throwing a fade ball. The arc on his deep passes is beautiful. There is nice a combination of effortless pace with touch. Placement was impeccable each time on the outside shoulder of the receiver.

Lastly, Bridge’s seven-step efforts were solid. His footwork was quick and cleaner than when he took five step drops. Particularly when Bridge was throwing the deep-in he looked to be totally in rhythm and let the ball go so it arrived as the receiver was coming out of his cut. The post-corner throws showcased Bridge’s arm strength. He unleashed four balls on a line with zip and NFL-type trajectory.

After seeing Bridge’s full throwing session it’s clear he has an NFL-calibre arm. He has a quick snap and whip to his release. The ball comes off his hands smoothly and effortlessly. Those are always great traits to have, but Bridge needs to continue to clean up his footwork. At times it was slow and choppy and caused him to be off balance on those reps. When Bridge has his feet and arm in sync, it’s easy to see what NFL talent evaluators like about him. That’s why becoming consistent with each drop is going to be supremely important for Bridge moving forward.

Overall, consider Bridge’s stock pointing up.

[WestCoastJoe]

Still hoping we could snag Varga. And that depends on whether he gets taken by the NFL.

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-ca-cfl-draft-prof ... t-1.226766

TSN.ca CFL Draft Profile: Brandon Tennant

Tony D'Archi, TSN.ca Staff

As an anglophone growing up in Montreal, Brandon Tennant was surrounded by the French language, and yet while he spoke some French, he wasn’t fluent. So when Tennant chose to attend Laval University, a French-speaking school to play football, it was a huge change in his life.

“It was like a complete culture shock coming from the anglophone side of Montreal where even my French classes in high school were not that difficult, to speaking French in school, speaking French in the grocery store, speaking French with my roommates, speaking French everywhere. It definitely was a culture shock,” Tennant told TSN.

Since it began in 1996, Laval football has become the top program in the CIS, winning eight Vanier Cups, more than any other school in Canada. (Laval lost to 2014 Vanier Cup Champion Montreal in the Dunsmore Cup). It was this level of success that attracted Tennant to the school.

“I love to compete, I love to win. Every practice you're competing against the best o-line in Canada, you practice with the best defensive line coach in Canada, and every week we go out and compete and we prepare ourselves the best and that's why I chose that path.”

And on the practice field at least, speaking English turned out to be helpful.

“The thing that sort of helped me is a lot of our coaches, they coach football in English,” explained Tennant. “English is sort of like the language of football so I played it in French but they coached it in English. That really helped me on the football side of things, but the other part was a big culture shock.”

With Laval’s success, it’s no surprise that a lot of Rouge et Or players end up in the CFL. Since 1998, 39 Laval players have been selected in the CFL Draft and currently there are 17 Laval products on CFL rosters. That level of excellence creates a pressure that’s welcomed by current players.

“I think there is immense pressure but it's something that we sort of strive for,” Tennant said.

“It's a pressure that I think the city of Quebec puts on us, but it's a pressure that I think we as a team put on ourselves and that everyone around the team, including the fans, accept. I think that's what drives us during the winter, during the summer and during the season.”

The 6-foot-2, 309-pound Tennant has also shown that he can play the game. The defensive tackle was a RSEQ Division All-Star in 2013 and was also named a second team CIS All-Canadian that season. Tennant missed the first six games of the 2014 season after suffering a broken toe when he kicked a garbage can in frustration after an argument with head coach Glen Constantin. At the time Constantin dismissed him from practice for arriving later than the coach likes.

“It was a misunderstanding between me and Glen and after the fact now I do see his points and it was an immature move from a fourth year player,” Tennent stated.

“The trouble with experience is you only get it after you need it, so I will definitely take that and move on.”

Coming into this year’s draft, Tennant is one of three Laval players on the CFL’s Prospect Ranking (Tennant is ranked fifteenth). He also comes in as the second-ranked down lineman only behind Daryl Waud of Western. The CFL team that picks him in this year’s Draft will get a lineman who thinks that sacking the quarterback is NOT the best part of playing defence.

“They get someone who can definitely stop the run. Everyone says it's the best thing to rush the quarterback, I find one of the best things to do is to take on that double-team because there's nothing like stopping two 320 pounders in their tracks.”

Tennant says his high motor and work ethic are his greatest attributes, which he will show those attending the CFL Combine in late March.

Our next Prospect Profile will be on Calgary linebacker Adam Konar, the sixteenth-ranked prsopect in the 2015 CFL Draft.

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.cfl.ca/article/2015-cfl-draf ... o-revealed

2015 CFL Draft to be held May 12

Updated: March 19, 2015 02:56 PM

CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO – This is the season that dreams can come true – or come crashing to the turf -- for young Canadian football stars.

The Canadian Football League Draft – where teams choose from the finest Canadian talent playing in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) -- is now set for May 12, 2015.

The first two rounds will be broadcast live in prime time on TSN at 8 p.m. ET, with subsequent rounds streamed live on TSN.ca.

The draft will also be broadcast in prime time on RDS2.

The draft prospects’ last chance to impress CFL scouts, coaches and general managers comes next weekend in Toronto, at the National CFL Combine presented by Reebok.

From March 27 to March 29, over 50 of the best players Canada has to offer will display their speed, athletic ability and strength in a series of football related drills, and their character and personalities in interviews with teams.

“To win the Grey Cup, you must have great Canadian talent,” said Kevin McDonald, the CFL’s Vice-President of Football Operations.

“And to have great Canadian talent, you have to do an excellent job of identifying, evaluating and selecting the best Canadians. So this is a hugely important time in the CFL.”

Another 140 Canadian football hopefuls still have one more chance to earn a spot at the National Combine presented by Reebok.

They will attend regional combines in Edmonton (March 23), Montreal (March 25) and Toronto (March 26), with those who are eligible for the 2015 Draft and really stand out getting the opportunity to keep their CFL dreams alive.

For the full roster of players expected at the regional combines and the National Combine presented by Reebok, click here.

Here is the current draft order – subject to trades in the days ahead – for the 2015 CFL Draft:

[WestCoastJoe]

Round 1 ...

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.cfl.ca/article/checking-down ... y-and-more

Checking Down: Draft chat, free agency and more

Posted: March 20, 2015 04:00 PM

CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO -- Regional combines kick off on Monday and with the CFL Draft officially set for May 12, GMs are busy scouting the country's top university-level talent. We weigh in around the CFL with another edition of Checking Down.

Edmonton Eskimos
•As the Edmonton Sun's Gerry Moddejonge previously reported, Mike Scheper is set to become the Edmonton Eskimos' new offensive line coach. Chris O'Leary of the Edmonton Journal reports that it'll happen in time for combine.

The Eskimos surrendered the fourth fewest sacks in the league last year, while their rushing attack was football's second best behind only the Stamps.

Calgary Stampeders
•The Stamps loaded up on young international talent this week, signing four defensive linemen, an offensive lineman, a running back and a receiver.

Six-foot-seven, 325-pound offensive lineman Cory Brandon will vie for a roster spot this training camp, as the Stampeders look to build depth on the line after losing two key starters to free agency. 23-year-old Timothy Flanders joins the Red and White after attenting 2014 training camp with the NFL's New Orleans Saints.

The team also added receiver Nick Johnson, and defensive linemen Adrian Hamilton, Chris McAllister, Andrew Mahan and Risean Broussard.
•It's hard to imagine a season any better than the one Jon Cornish had in 2014, but the 30-year-old says he plans to top last season's results. Cornish won the CFL rushing title last year in about half a season's work, rushing for 1,082 yards and an unheard of 7.8 yards per carry. That earned him Most Outstanding Canadian honours.

“I want to top what I did in 2013,” Cornish told Stampeders.com, the team's official website. “That’s my goal.”

Can Cornish top last year's accomplishments?

Saskatchewan Roughriders
•Former Riders President and CEO Jim Hopson met with the media for the last time on Thursday, recalling the ups and downs of his time with the Riders. Hopson thanked the fans and said that 2007 was a turning point for the team, a year in which it finally ended a long drought in winning the 95th Grey Cup Championship in Toronto.

The Riders appeared in three Grey Cup Championships since then, including 2013 when they won on home turf in an historic victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. For the entire press conference (in two parts), click here.
•Defensive back Macho Harris and the Riders announced that they've agreed to a contract extension on Friday. The 29-year-old had the best CFL season of his career in 2014, playing in 17 regular season games and registering 61 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

Winnipge Blue Bombers
•Nic Demski told Paul Wiecek of the Winnipeg Free Press that being drafted by the Bombers would be a dream come true. The University of Manitoba star pass-catcher is the fifth-ranked player in the most recent CIS Scouting Bureau rankings, but was placed in Justin Dunk's most recent mock draft as the ninth overall pick by the Calgary Stampeders.

Demski was a four-time CIS All-Canadian with Manitoba and on top of playing as a slotback also spent time as a running back. He compares his game to the Argos' Chad Owens, and surely the Bombers could use that explosiveness from a national whether it's at the receiver position or out of the offensive backfield.

The Bombers own the second pick in the 2015 CFL Draft, where they'll likely take one of the draft's several high-ranked offensive lineman. Their second round pick (11th overall) will be the one to watch, as they'll have plenty of additional ammo to move up if they hope to add Demski (they also have another pick in the second round).

Toronto Argonauts
•Jim Barker, Chad Owens and off-season acquisition Ricky Foley held their first media availability of the season on Friday in Toronto, as Barker discussed his team's off-season; Owens talked about moving to Canada and spending his first off-season in Toronto; while Foley spoke about his return home to the Argos.

•Among other hot topics, Barker updated the status of Ricky Ray coming off off-season shoulder surgery. The Argos' GM said Ray is ahead of schedule right now, although the team will know more by the end of April:

"He's coming along great," said Barker. "He's actually ahead of schedule in terms of his lifting and things. We won't know a lot until the end of April. That'll be the time after the surgery."

In the meantime, Barker added he's comfortable with his young quarterbacks, particularly Trevor Harris, if needed.

"Obviously you'd love to have one of the great players in the history of this league back, but we're not going to force him back early," added Barker. "Ricky knows his body well and there's nobody more diligent in terms of getting ready. When he's ready, he'll tell us . . ."

Ottawa REDBLACKS
•The Ottawa REDBLACKS own the number one pick in the 2015 CFL Draft, and with a bevy of top-ranked offensive linemen to choose from, the general consensus is that they'll be going with a big man this May. The Ottawa Sun's Tim Baines says not so fast, as the ultra-talented Lemar Durant could swoop in.

Durant is described is a college phenom with the size (six-foot-two, 231 pounds) and speed combo to be a difference-maker on a CFL field. It's not as common for skill position players to go first overall, but if Durant can be the kind of ratio-breaker that some claim, it shouldn't be ruled out.

Montreal Alouettes
•The Alouettes announced on Friday the signing of Joe Thornton, an international linebacker out of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs.

The headline 'Joe Thornton to suit up for the Alouettes' has some doing a double take, but this is a different Joe Thornton than your hockey-playing variety. This one is pretty good at football, last year amassing 125 tackles for the Colorado Ice of the Indoor Football League (where he was named an All-Star).

Not included this week are the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and BC Lions.

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.cfl.ca/article/justin-dunks- ... -version-2

Justin Dunk's 2015 Mock Draft -- Version 2

Posted: March 23, 2015 12:00 PM

The Canadian Football League's free agent frenzy has come and gone and teams are now focused on the CFL Draft. Here's my Version 2 mock draft:


1) OTT – OL Alex Mateas

The Redblacks take the chance that Mateas won’t be in an NFL camp. The Ottawa native could start for his hometown team at centre from day one.


2) WPG – OL Danny Groulx

Groulx is known for playing with an edge, a trait Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea would sure love. The big, physical Canadian has the skills to play tackle in the pros.


3) TOR – OL Jacob Ruby

The bearded one made 47 career starts for Richmond – a durable and dependable offensive lineman. Ruby could have a chance to play tackle in the CFL.


4) MTL – Daryl Waud, DL

Montreal signed receiver Sam Giguere in free agency and Jim Popp has a strong National offensive line group, therefore he might opt to grab an interior lineman to pair with Michael Klassen.


5) BC – Sukh Chungh, OL

It’s no secret the Lions need more Canadian beef along the offensive line. Chungh - a local product - could strengthen BC’s group.


6) SSK – Sean McEwen, OL

Saskatchewan released Dominic Picard and lost Ben Heenan to the NFL this off-season. McEwen, who is smooth on the field, could possibly step in and contribute soon.


7) EDM – Maxx Forde, DL

A two-year starter at Idaho, Forde could be an intriguing interior player for Edmonton to possibly team with Don Oramasionwu.


8) HAM – Lemar Durant, REC

If Durant fell this far the Ticats could snap him up. Andy Fantuz is entering the last year of his contract, so Hamilton snags another big-bodied National pass catcher as a contingency plan.


9) CGY – Brett Boyko, OL

Calgary lost Brett Jones to the NFL and the Stamps always make sure they’re well-stocked with Nationals along the offensive line. Boyko’s ill-timed left elbow injury seems to have his NFL stock trending in the wrong direction.

[WestCoastJoe]

4) MTL – Daryl Waud, DL

Montreal signed receiver Sam Giguere in free agency and Jim Popp has a strong National offensive line group, therefore he might opt to grab an interior lineman to pair with Michael Klassen.

I liked Klassen too.

[David]

Via Twitter (@News1130Sports):

Durant could go #1 over-all in the #CFL Draft, he's 6-2 and 230 pounds and size a big reason why scouts love him.

Durant has 2 NFL teams going to SFU for a pro day in early April. Durant would love to see the hometown #BCLions draft him.

Durant says a lot of NFL teams have contacted him. NFL scouts want to see his numbers from Toronto. #CFL

DH

[TheLionKing]

Would be nice to see Durant in Lions' orange and black but the priority as I see it is offensive and defensive linemen.

[David]

Would be nice to see Durant in Lions' orange and black but the priority as I see it is offensive and defensive linemen.

I respectfully disagree. Sure, I'd like to upgrade our depth on the O and D lines (which we can still do after the 1st round), but sorry, call it systems or circumstance, Iannuzzi, Poblah, and Haidara weren't nearly good enough last year. And Gore just never quite fulfills the promise he teases us with. Austin Collie is an intriguing off-season signing (as a National), but I still think Lamar Durant would be an instant upgrade here (and a local kid to boot).

I am more than satisfied with Westerman and Menard on the D-line, and we have a lot of promise along the O-line with Steward, Fabien, Thorn (who I think will be given a long look at center this Training Camp), and T-Dre Player. I think Norman might be more effective at Guard but may have just been down on himself after trying to learn Dan's complicated blocking assignments.


DH

[TheLionKing]

Would be nice to see Durant in Lions' orange and black but the priority as I see it is offensive and defensive linemen.

I respectfully disagree. Sure, I'd like to upgrade our depth on the O and D lines (which we can still do after the 1st round), but sorry, call it systems or circumstance, Iannuzzi, Poblah, and Haidara weren't nearly good enough last year. And Gore just never quite fulfills the promise he teases us with. Austin Collie is an intriguing off-season signing (as a National), but I still think Lamar Durant would be an instant upgrade here (and a local kid to boot).

I am more than satisfied with Westerman and Menard on the D-line, and we have a lot of promise along the O-line with Steward, Fabien, Thorn (who I think will be given a long look at center this Training Camp), and T-Dre Player. I think Norman might be more effective at Guard but may have just been down on himself after trying to learn Dan's complicated blocking assignments.


DH

You certainly make a compelling argument. I agree with your assessment on Iannuzzi, Poblah, Haidara and Gore.

[Rammer]

Would be nice to see Durant in Lions' orange and black but the priority as I see it is offensive and defensive linemen.

I respectfully disagree. Sure, I'd like to upgrade our depth on the O and D lines (which we can still do after the 1st round), but sorry, call it systems or circumstance, Iannuzzi, Poblah, and Haidara weren't nearly good enough last year. And Gore just never quite fulfills the promise he teases us with. Austin Collie is an intriguing off-season signing (as a National), but I still think Lamar Durant would be an instant upgrade here (and a local kid to boot).

I am more than satisfied with Westerman and Menard on the D-line, and we have a lot of promise along the O-line with Steward, Fabien, Thorn (who I think will be given a long look at center this Training Camp), and T-Dre Player. I think Norman might be more effective at Guard but may have just been down on himself after trying to learn Dan's complicated blocking assignments.


DH

You certainly make a compelling argument. I agree with your assessment on Iannuzzi, Poblah, Haidara and Gore.

I would like to suggest that Haidara hasn't had enough playing time to get a real read on his ability, but Iannuzzi and Poblah certainly have left an impression that I could do without in a full body of work. Gore has got to step up his game this season, he has the occasional flash of being a superior receiver, then he has games that it is hard to know he played in.

My bet though is that Haidara is too interesting a talent for the Lions to not to try in the lineup. One thing for sure is that Tedford seems to be more of an outside the box thinker than the previous regime and that may elevate the talent level by using their strengths vs fit the system or don't see the ball type that we have endured for too long in BC.

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.tsn.ca/forde-who-s-the-best- ... s-1.241830

Forde: Who's the best receiver in the draft class?

Duane Forde, CFL Analyst

Nic Demski, University of Manitoba


If you asked all nine teams who the top three receiver prospects in the Class of 2015 are, they’d likely all list Nic Demski, Lemar Durant, and Addison Richards. However, if you then asked them to rank those prospects from first to third, you’d get (the maximum possible) six different responses. Bear in mind that a player’s combine performance is just one of many tools used in the evaluation process but it’s expected that the answer to the burning question, “Who is the best receiver in this draft class?” will become at least a little clearer between now and Monday. Here (alphabetically) is a brief look at each of the “contenders”:

Nic Demski (SB, Manitoba, 5’11”, 210 lbs.): One of the most explosive athletes in this draft class, he led the nation in yards per catch at 21.8 last season and also boasts four career kick return touchdowns. In fact, prior to being named an All-Canadian receiver each of the last two seasons, this converted running back was an All-Canadian kick returner in 2011 and 2012. In terms of testing numbers, he was among the top overall performers at the East West Bowl last May in the forty, vertical, and broad jump, and topped the receivers with 21 reps on the bench.

Lemar Durant (WR, Simon Fraser, 6’2”, 231 lbs.): Simply put, he has often looked like a man among boys in his three seasons in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and, like Christian Covington, declared for the draft a year early. Big, fast, physical, and athletic, he began his college career at the University of Nevada in 2010 but a knee injury limited his action and led him to transfer to SFU in 2012. His injury history could be a concern, as he missed nine of the Clan’s 21 games over the last two seasons. His production, however, can’t be questioned – 23 games, 175 receptions, 2392 yards, and 26 TD.

Addison Richards (WR, Regina, 6’5”, 210 lbs.): This East West Shrine Game participant continues the Rams tradition of producing top receiver prospects. After a slow start to his CIS career with just six catches for 109 yards through his first two years, he exploded with 100 receptions for 1530 yards in his last two years. The two-time All-Canadian led the nation with 916 receiving yards in 2014. Although generally not regarded as being as explosive as Demski, the pair had very similar forty-yard dash and broad jump numbers at the CIS east West Bowl last spring.

The follow up question would be “where does Matthew Norzil rank among the receivers?” but that won’t be answered until he’s 100% healthy.

[OV - 54:40]

Lions maybe looking for some safety competition for TC ?

Seems to me - 3 very good safety prospect types this coming draft:

Chris Ackie (Laurier) - CIS all-star D-half; good size (6, 210), physical, athletic with some explosive Combine test #s; could maybe get converted to OLB as well as safety in the CFL

Anthony Coady (Montreal) - 3 straight years a unanimous Q conference all-star safety - pretty decent test #s; experienced, instinctual, natural safety

Kwame Adjei (Mount Allsion) - CIS all-star S; another good size (6, 210) S with some good Combine test #s and lots of experience at the position


IMO - all 3 of these guys could easlily challenge for the BC safety job up against the likes of Rabukwamba (more a corner who hasn't shown much IMO in his CFL playing time) or Parker (another cornerback type with very limited S playing experience)