Another busy day today searching for a place to live. Practice went much better this morning than yesterday, which really helps to set a positive tone for the remainder of the day. Also got a good lift in after practice... something that I really ought to keep up on. I feel emaciated after the malnourishment we went through during camp.
Gerald and I spent the afternoon looking for places to live again. We found another great option, but we still opted to try to hold out for this big penthouse type place. The fact that the owner will let us do a 5 month lease instead of a 6 month is really going to be the nail in the coffin, as it allows us to pay the same amount as we would for a cheaper place on a 6 month lease. I actually met the guy tonight... we had to go out to a nightclub he owns in order to get the facetime. He certainly acted the part of the playboy, but was very friendly and seemed genuinely interested in helping us out. It looks like we might be able to get into the place as early as Friday. We shall see. I'll feel much better about it all once I have the keys to the front door.
As usual you can check out the link for Big Green Alert on the side of my blog if you want to check out some new articles on me. I'm amazed how well Bruce stays on top of these things.
6/28/07
6/26/07
More Housing, First Practice
The first practice of the regular season took place today. It took a bit longer than previous practices, but was relatively easy due to the amount of 'servicing' we did with one another (that is to say we simulated the other team's offense and defense). The tempo was also far lower than during camp with much less contact. It is a long season and we must practice smart if we hope to survive 20 weeks. Unfortunately this tempo also makes it hard to play defensive line at times. In order to play our attack style defense correctly, we are forced to come off the ball at top speed and cause collisions. This can't happen during practice now, however. I have a feeling I'll be hearing about it from our defensive line coach tomorrow. I did a TV interview today with The Score (whatever that is) regarding my alphabetizing ability (clearly... what else?). Not sure where it is viewable, however.
They pulled a fast one on us today after practice by arranging a lovely 3 hour team building/meet-and-greet event. The team is technically only allowed to keep us for 4.5 hours a day and we all COULD have left, but I don't think anyone wanted to rock the boat this early. It was a fun event really, but had poor timing because half the team is still homeless and many fellas had apartment viewings this afternoon. I had to cancel one myself and was not happy about it. However, Gerald and I have narrowed it down to 3 places. I hope that we can make a decision on this VERY soonish, but Gerald has a lucid vision of the exact place he wants to live in. One of the 3 spots fulfills it and the price is right, but we are having a little trouble getting in to view it AND it isn't available until July 15. We have already made temporary housing arrangements in case we go with this July 15 place, but meanwhile we have put the other 2 places on hold waiting for the viewing on Gerald's dream home. I'd personally be very happy just going with one of the 2 smaller places, which would be available this weekend, as they are of ample size and just fine by me. The bigger place WOULD be amazing though. I would just hate to see the other two spots slip away while we wait for something that doesn't materialize and leaves us out in the cold.
They pulled a fast one on us today after practice by arranging a lovely 3 hour team building/meet-and-greet event. The team is technically only allowed to keep us for 4.5 hours a day and we all COULD have left, but I don't think anyone wanted to rock the boat this early. It was a fun event really, but had poor timing because half the team is still homeless and many fellas had apartment viewings this afternoon. I had to cancel one myself and was not happy about it. However, Gerald and I have narrowed it down to 3 places. I hope that we can make a decision on this VERY soonish, but Gerald has a lucid vision of the exact place he wants to live in. One of the 3 spots fulfills it and the price is right, but we are having a little trouble getting in to view it AND it isn't available until July 15. We have already made temporary housing arrangements in case we go with this July 15 place, but meanwhile we have put the other 2 places on hold waiting for the viewing on Gerald's dream home. I'd personally be very happy just going with one of the 2 smaller places, which would be available this weekend, as they are of ample size and just fine by me. The bigger place WOULD be amazing though. I would just hate to see the other two spots slip away while we wait for something that doesn't materialize and leaves us out in the cold.
6/25/07
A Few Links
Yesterday was extremely busy and today will be no different. My roommate Gerald and I are scrambling to find a place to live before we are kicked out of our lovely dormitory digs. I will post a more thorough entry tonight, but for now I will leave you with a few links concerning myself.
Bruce Wood of BigGreenAlert is always on top of any media attention I might receive. It's nice to be able to shoot on over to his blog and see everything that was written that day without having to search myself. Anyways here are a few stories. The Calgary Sun wrote a short blurb today. Also be sure to check out Bruce's article here. Bruce is always a pleasure to talk to and the only media person that I feel comfortable being completely candid with. I also did a short interview this morning at 6:45AM (nice wakeup time for my first day off in a month) with a local radio station concerning... you guessed it... the stupid alphabetizing trick. Everyone loves it, but I'm beginning to wish that I never mentioned it! I feel like I'm doing it all day long!
Bruce Wood of BigGreenAlert is always on top of any media attention I might receive. It's nice to be able to shoot on over to his blog and see everything that was written that day without having to search myself. Anyways here are a few stories. The Calgary Sun wrote a short blurb today. Also be sure to check out Bruce's article here. Bruce is always a pleasure to talk to and the only media person that I feel comfortable being completely candid with. I also did a short interview this morning at 6:45AM (nice wakeup time for my first day off in a month) with a local radio station concerning... you guessed it... the stupid alphabetizing trick. Everyone loves it, but I'm beginning to wish that I never mentioned it! I feel like I'm doing it all day long!
6/23/07
Final Cuts
Final cuts were made today. I made the team and am slated to start this week, barring injury. They made some interesting decisions regarding good, experienced veterans... mostly by the way of trades. There is no need to get into detail, as I cannot speak to the club's reasons. I'm sure they have a master plan that I am not privy to. I was very surprised, however, to see the team drop Calvin (one of the other DEs) to the practice squad. He was not happy about it, obviously, and I am not either truthfully. He certainly deserves to be on the active roster, in my opinion.
For my part I now have to step up my play and act the part of starter. I believe if I make two or three small adjustments to my technique that I will break it wide open and become extremely productive. It's just a matter of correcting several mistakes... I know I already have the athletic ability. Like our D-Coordinator was saying today, though: You can have all the talent in the world and lose. I really have to focus in this week.
For my part I now have to step up my play and act the part of starter. I believe if I make two or three small adjustments to my technique that I will break it wide open and become extremely productive. It's just a matter of correcting several mistakes... I know I already have the athletic ability. Like our D-Coordinator was saying today, though: You can have all the talent in the world and lose. I really have to focus in this week.
Pre-Season Game #2
A very busy day yesterday. We traveled back and forth from Saskatchewan on game day, which is not our usual MO. The team chartered a private jet for travel, which was rather neat I thought. Everyone's legs seemed rather tired going into the game, despite a slightly toned back Thursday practice. I receive the nod to start and played the first half before the other 2 remaining DEs took over.
This game didn't go quite as well for the team as the last. We couldn't seem to stop the Roughriders and our offense found itself unable to move the ball. That being said, the starting D did manage to hold them to only field goals, one of those being on a very short field thanks to a muffed punt. We hurt ourselves with penalties, but I think in a normal game we would have come out on top. We did not blitz at all and simply played base D the entire time. Our coaches purposely did not gameplan for the Roughriders, while it was clear that the Roughriders had planned for us. That being said, it is still frustrating to have a poor defensive outing. They were definitely a good team.
I personally played OK... knocking down a pass and hitting the QB twice. My pass rushes improved over last week, but I still felt as if I was getting there just a half second too late. No real opportunities arose to make tackles in the run game for me. Zero runs bounced to the perimeter for me to make a play on. We ran a few line stunts well, but we also messed up a few thanks to unheard call checks and several sloppy executions. I was dog tired by the end of the second quarter due to the long drives engineered by the Roughriders and the downfield pursuit asked of us by the coaching staff. Not to mention special teams. I was also the only defensive lineman that the coach did not rotate out during the first half. We probably got 35-40 snaps. I am really dying for a sack.
The coaching staff will make final cuts by 11:59AM today and the coach handed out 25 envelopes on the plane last night to players he wanted to speak with this morning. It could be bad or good news, but there is no real way for a guy to tell until he gets there. I suppose I am in good shape because I was not handed an envelope and didn't feel the dreaded tap on the shoulder. We will have to see what happens when I arrive for meetings at 3:00pm today. I am very glad they're that late, as we didn't get home until 2AM last night.
I will have a lot of things to get done if I make the final roster today, most notably of these is finding a place to live. As soon as I find out about the roster I will make another post here.
This game didn't go quite as well for the team as the last. We couldn't seem to stop the Roughriders and our offense found itself unable to move the ball. That being said, the starting D did manage to hold them to only field goals, one of those being on a very short field thanks to a muffed punt. We hurt ourselves with penalties, but I think in a normal game we would have come out on top. We did not blitz at all and simply played base D the entire time. Our coaches purposely did not gameplan for the Roughriders, while it was clear that the Roughriders had planned for us. That being said, it is still frustrating to have a poor defensive outing. They were definitely a good team.
I personally played OK... knocking down a pass and hitting the QB twice. My pass rushes improved over last week, but I still felt as if I was getting there just a half second too late. No real opportunities arose to make tackles in the run game for me. Zero runs bounced to the perimeter for me to make a play on. We ran a few line stunts well, but we also messed up a few thanks to unheard call checks and several sloppy executions. I was dog tired by the end of the second quarter due to the long drives engineered by the Roughriders and the downfield pursuit asked of us by the coaching staff. Not to mention special teams. I was also the only defensive lineman that the coach did not rotate out during the first half. We probably got 35-40 snaps. I am really dying for a sack.
The coaching staff will make final cuts by 11:59AM today and the coach handed out 25 envelopes on the plane last night to players he wanted to speak with this morning. It could be bad or good news, but there is no real way for a guy to tell until he gets there. I suppose I am in good shape because I was not handed an envelope and didn't feel the dreaded tap on the shoulder. We will have to see what happens when I arrive for meetings at 3:00pm today. I am very glad they're that late, as we didn't get home until 2AM last night.
I will have a lot of things to get done if I make the final roster today, most notably of these is finding a place to live. As soon as I find out about the roster I will make another post here.
6/20/07
Wings
Another practice today, but no shoulder pads this time. Nothing exceptional to report... we installed a few more defensive calls and honed our punt returns in anticipation for the upcoming preseason game. We have, purposely, done zero game planning for this upcoming game. We are simply taking it in stride and treating it as part of camp. I think this is a smart approach, as it allows us to continue advancing as a team without worrying about playing specifically to another club. That would indeed be a waste of time at this point.
I received another taste of both Calgary and the kindness of the veterans this afternoon. Terrance Patrick (TP) took me out for wings post practice with several other older players. It was nice to do something a little different and just relax without having to worry about an upcoming meeting or practice. I had a great time just hanging out and talking about the city, apartments and the season. I think at this point it really is time to start looking for a place to live. The people here are kind and polite beyond reason.
An interview I gave yesterday for TSN (I guess it's the Canadian equivalent of ESPN?) is now available online here. My old man would say that I am speaking too quickly in this video. Hi Dad. You will have to install the Microsoft ActiveX plugin to view it, but a prompt should appear requesting that you do so when you load the page. Turn off popup blockers so this prompt isn't stifled.
I received another taste of both Calgary and the kindness of the veterans this afternoon. Terrance Patrick (TP) took me out for wings post practice with several other older players. It was nice to do something a little different and just relax without having to worry about an upcoming meeting or practice. I had a great time just hanging out and talking about the city, apartments and the season. I think at this point it really is time to start looking for a place to live. The people here are kind and polite beyond reason.
An interview I gave yesterday for TSN (I guess it's the Canadian equivalent of ESPN?) is now available online here. My old man would say that I am speaking too quickly in this video. Hi Dad. You will have to install the Microsoft ActiveX plugin to view it, but a prompt should appear requesting that you do so when you load the page. Turn off popup blockers so this prompt isn't stifled.
6/19/07
A Slow Attrition
Practice today was nearly identical to yesterday's, with the primary difference being the dress. We were in uppers (helmets and shoulder pads), but very little changed. I didn't have a great practice... actually it was probably one of my worst since I arrived. The defensive line coach still seemed pleased with me after practice, however, and I am not worried.
The team released a few more guys today. The most notable of these was my roommate AJ. I am truly surprised that they let him go. Another defensive tackle, JD, left as well. More and more empty lockers are popping up in the rookie locker room. The upside, however, is that we are down to 8 defensive linemen. The team will most likely end up carrying either 7 or 8... it is difficult to say what the number shall be. Unfortunately the next cut will assuredly come from my position. We will just have to wait and see.
Nothing really to do with my free time at this point. I spent all afternoon napping, eating and hanging around with the remaining guys. I browsed online briefly for apartments/living arrangements, but things up here are startlingly expensive. I am also apprehensive about getting a place before I am officially on the roster (final cuts are this Sunday). Our time here in the dorms ends almost immediately after that roster declaration, however, so I should have something lined up. Transportation will also become an issue soon.
The team released a few more guys today. The most notable of these was my roommate AJ. I am truly surprised that they let him go. Another defensive tackle, JD, left as well. More and more empty lockers are popping up in the rookie locker room. The upside, however, is that we are down to 8 defensive linemen. The team will most likely end up carrying either 7 or 8... it is difficult to say what the number shall be. Unfortunately the next cut will assuredly come from my position. We will just have to wait and see.
Nothing really to do with my free time at this point. I spent all afternoon napping, eating and hanging around with the remaining guys. I browsed online briefly for apartments/living arrangements, but things up here are startlingly expensive. I am also apprehensive about getting a place before I am officially on the roster (final cuts are this Sunday). Our time here in the dorms ends almost immediately after that roster declaration, however, so I should have something lined up. Transportation will also become an issue soon.
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