Training Camp Day 1 Recap | Calm Before The Storm
Believe us when we tell you it will be a far cry from how they will attack the start of the 2017 season. We’re talking about day one of training camp at Hillside Stadium, which started with a couple of non-padded walkthroughs. It was a different approach than the one Wally Buono took in his return to the sidelines last season. The message: enjoy it now and be a little fresh when the hitting and real drills start early in the week.
“Part of what we’re trying to do the first two days is a lot of installation, a lot of teaching and getting the players used to the rigours of being on their feet for 5-6 hours,” said Buono in between workouts on Sunday.
A lot of the early approach has to do with a quirk in this year’s camp schedule. The Lions open pre-season on Tuesday, June 6th in Calgary; four or five days earlier than the typical first taste of game action. The result is having to get some early extra work in on special teams where a lot of the rookie players will see duty in that first tune up contest.
“We did that with our first year guys and we started it today right off the bat,” added Buono.
“The players will get a lot of information, they’ll have time to digest it, they’ll have time to review it both on the field, in the meeting room and watching tape. The fifth practice (Tuesday morning) we’ll be able to go against the offence and go against the defence.”
Standouts
With no pads and special teams being the only real frame of reference for guys who performed well, the options are limited. Amidst cheers, Running back/receiver Tyler Davis ended the day by returning a long punt to the house. Chris Rainey was his usual electrifying self. New kicker Swayze Waters was kicking the ball deep as was rookie Ty Long. The Lions hope Waters can perform all placekicking, punting and kickoff duties so the fact he looks to be in mid-season form is a sign of encouragement. Replacing the booming leg of Richie Leone is no easy task.
Injury Report
Shaq Johnson sat out once again with his tweaked hamstring. He has not seen any action since early in day one of mini-camp on Thursday. Dynamic newcomer Chris Williams spent the entire day working out and stretching on the sidelines. He told BCLions.com is “pretty much ready to go” after his rehab from a torn ACL suffered last season in Ottawa. For the time being the plan is to take it slow and not rush into a return to live practice. It’s going to be very intriguing once he starts running routes and catching passes.
Quotable
“It’s good to put the questions on the back burner and just allow myself to play football. I don’t have to prove so much that I can do it but now I just have to be consistent. And that’s something that each and every one of us wants to come out here and do is to continue to prove ourselves each day and continue to put a performance and show on.”- Jonathon Jennings on no longer dealing with the questions of if he is ready to be a starting quarterback.
Buono on Jennings: “Jonathon had a tremendous year last year but he is still a second year starter and there is growth that can occur. He understands the offence, he understands the receivers around him and the big thing with him is just to do his job. If he can do that then we’ll have a very good team.”
Monday Schedule
The non-padded double days continue at 8:30am at Hillside Stadium. The afternoon practice goes from 3:30-5:30PM.
Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com