BC Lions coaches and staff will get a head start evaluating their first-year players today at the Surrey training facility. The two day affair, commonly referred to in the Lions office as Organized Team Activities (OTA), is a different approach from what the club has done in recent years.
“Usually this camp has featured veteran players with select rookies,” says director of player personnel Neil McEvoy. “This year it’s the opposite; rookies featured along with select veterans.”
Players from last year’s roster that will attend include quarterback Greg McGhee as well as 
linemen T-Dre Player, Hunter Steward and Jas Dhillon.
McGhee will be joined by fellow pivot and former Washington Huskies standout Keith Price, whom the Lions agreed to terms with in March.
“The goal with these QBs is to just give them the right start that they need and get them all the tools so they can run the offence,” says offensive coordinator Khari Jones. “The more these guys are able to hear what you’re trying to do with the offence the more they can absorb things first hand and not just be at home but be around the other coaches and at the facility. It’s a real bonus.”
Jones is also excited to evaluate the crop of first-year receivers the club was able to recruit throughout the off-season. Those include Kendrick Ings, Uzoma Nwachuku, and Colin Lockett, all of whom have NFL experience.
“You hear a lot about guys and their accolades and what they’ve done in the past, but nothing takes the place of your own eyes and seeing first hand how big they are, how truly fast they are and how they catch the ball. All of those things come into effect,” the former quarterback says.
The format of mini-camp differs slightly from main camp itself and regular practices. The players will perform some on-field drills without pads or contact. A large portion of the event also includes film study and classroom sessions. The idea is to have every player involved get a feel for being around the club before reporting to training camp at the end of May. The expectation is for every guy attending to also move on to Kamloops.
“I want all of them to succeed so that when we move forward with training camp, it will be as productive and competitive as possible,” McEvoy says.
Although it appears the Lions training camp roster may be set, there is always the potential for players flying under the radar to make an impression early and be a factor, if not for 2016, then beyond, when the club has tougher roster decisions to make for future years.
“You want to be able to fill your roster with these guys and hopefully have them be productive enough to project them into future starters for you,” McEvoy adds. “Your goal is to have all these young guys come to the OTA and everyone is super excited about them, so when training camp starts there is just an added feature to the current roster.”
An added benefit to the coaching staff is being able to dust off the drawing boards, break in some new sideline gear and perhaps bark out an order or two.
“We’re like players in that respect,” Jones admits. “You need to get out there and get a feel for it. 
No matter how long you’ve been coaching every year is different and new. Mini camp is a chance to try some new things out, see what works and what doesn’t so when you get into training camp you feel comfortable with what you’re doing.”
With main camp less than 50 days away and the first-year Lions reporting to town in two weeks, there is a growing sense around the facility that spring is in the air and football is just around the corner.
For a complete mini-camp roster, download the guide here.