Day 1 Report | Calm Before The Storm
Gabriel Knapton is the ultimate competitor. Big, strong and fierce. The beard just adds to it. Kind of a lumberjack look. When he straps on the helmet, he’s ready to hit anybody in site. So you’ll have to forgive him if he’s feeling a little antsy as he kicks off training camp with a new squad.
Just like last season, the BC Lions are opening camp with two days of lighter practices. More like walkthroughs and ‘install’ as opposed to the more intense two-a-days that involve pads, one-on-ones and team drills. Knapton does agree it has its benefits.
“Personally, yeah I’d like to just come out and start hitting,” the new defensive end said after Sunday’s morning session.
“It just kind of loosens me up easier, I guess. Just to get that first smack out of the way, I like that. But this is good too. When you’re coming into a new scheme it’s good to slow down a little bit. You can be physical after you get that material absorbed.”
Wally Buono is entering his 25th and final season as a CFL coach, so you know he has seen more changes to training camp and practice routine than many of his peers. The league’s all-time leader in victories says this method has more positives than negatives.
“I think it does a lot of things,” Buono explained.
“One, it allows the players who have come from all over North America to get their legs under them, get some rest as far as it not being too physical. It helps them to understand what the coaches are expecting of them because for a lot of these guys this is the first time around. There’s an awful lot of information, not only being given out about the playbook but about the difference in the (Canadian) game.”
It also allows Buono and his staff to simplify things as they get a first look at some of these new bodies, Knapton among the most intriguing. In four seasons and 68 games with the Montreal Alouettes, Knapton has recorded 175 defensive tackles and 32 sacks and was the Alouettes’ nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie in 2014.
He is excited to build on that success and help the Lions’ front cause more fits for the quarterback, but first comes the task of standing out in what should be a downright nasty competition on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
“Being competitive and being in a competitive environment brings out the best in every single player,” Knapton said.
“You want guys who are clawing with their fingernails to get your spot. That’s only going to do one thing: make you play better. We have a bunch of guys here that are hungry, that are looking to make a team and we’re all going to help each other on the field. Everybody is fighting for their job and fighting for their family. It’s a good environment to be in.”
Rolly Lumbala, in his 11th training camp, is the club’s longest-serving player. The fullback doesn’t take much stock in how the first couple of practices may be structured. He is just grateful to still be playing the game he loves.
“It’s great. It gets you to get your feet from under you, learn the offence and feel comfortable, but we look forward to the first day in pads always. It’s a blessing. I’m just thankful that I’m still able to perform at a high level, I don’t take anything for granted, so I still feel like I’m a rookie and that I have to prove myself every year.”
Two veterans on opposite sides of the ball embracing the challenge from young and hungry newcomers. That’s the kind of leadership that helps build winners. Once they strap on those pads and the real fun begins, it could go down as one of the more intense camps in recent memory for a franchise looking to send a legendary coach out on a high note.
“It feels good to be on the field,” Buono added.
“It’s nice to see all the hard work that’s been done since Ed has been here to try and assemble a football team. It’s noticeable that guys are bigger, it’s a very athletic group and it’s going to be interesting to see how it all works out.”
Camp News and Notes
Speaking of that practice format: once the padded workouts begin on Tuesday, most double days involve back to back practices from 8:30-10:30 AM followed by a quick hydration break and second workout from 11:00 AM-12: 20 PM. It will be quite the adjustment from the traditional morning and late afternoon workouts of years past.
Six-time CFL All-Star Jovan Olafioye is expected to report to Kamloops for his physical on Monday and hopefully practice with his new/old teammates for the first back-to-back day on Tuesday. His addition should give the Lions some meaty options on both the right and left side.
One interesting camp storyline is always that of the guest coaches. This year’s group has some international flavour. Lars Carlsen is here to assist Jeff Reinebold with the special team units. Carlsen hails from Denmark, where he began his coaching career with the Kronberg Knights in 1990. Carlsen is also the director of the Danish American Football Association.
Mexico City native Carlos Rosado is working with the receivers. Rosado played in NFL Europe with the Barcelona Dragons and Amsterdam Admirals. He has also worked as a football analyst for Fox Sports. Former defensive lineman and 2011 Grey Cup champions Khreem Smith is serving as a guest coach under defensive line coach Randy Melvin.
Name change alert: defensive back AJ Jefferson, added in the opening hours of free agency, is now legally known as Anthony Orange.
Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com