Bison trio know they need speed at combine

Adams, Hindley, Sherman ready for 'dissection'

By: Adam Wazny Posted: 1:00 AM CST Thursday, Mar. 1, 2012

RUN fast.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/03/2012 (5205 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RUN fast.

When Teague Sherman collected advice on what to expect at the 2012 CFL evaluation camp, which kicks off Friday at Rogers Centre in Toronto, those two words were the common denominator.

The fourth-year Manitoba Bison already knows quickness is a big part of the experience, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded that speed consistently ranks near the top of most football scouting reports.

CNS Calgary Herald
Teague Sherman — CNS Calgary Herald Teague Sherman

“Everyone keeps telling me that,” the 5-foot-11 first-team all-Canadian safety said earlier this week. “I asked a few guys who have been there before what to expect, and that’s what they always say: ‘Run fast.’ “

Sherman, 23, is one of three Bison players invited to the annual CFL combine, joining defensive back Pete Adams and defensive lineman Adam Hindley at the three-day evaluation. The league is expecting 59 Canadian football prospects to attend, with 54 of them coming from university programs.

Players are put through the standard measures such as the 40-yard dash and bench press before moving on to one-on-one drills in front of CFL coaches, co-ordinators and general managers. Mixed in with these tests are player interviews with each of the eight CFL clubs.

It’s a total player breakdown, one that won’t give them much chance to breathe.

“I think there’s a point where we’re just going to be standing there in some boxer shorts, no shirt, in front of everyone,” Sherman said.

“Just showing them what you have. I don’t think I have ever been dissected like this.

“Never mind the coaches — I’ll probably learn something about myself this weekend.”

For Adams, the 2011 season was his final taste of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) eligibility. He knows this is his last real opportunity to show teams what he can do before the CFL college draft May 3 and says he’s ready to do just that.

“I’m more interested in the drills and the one-on-one part of the camp,” the 25-year-old said. “That’s the area I really want to dominate. I’m going to be very physical. That’s what they want, I think.”

Provided both are quick enough — neither wanted to share any 40-yard- dash times prior to the camp — Sherman and Adams could have a leg up on other athletes at the e-camp.

CFL clubs are always looking for secondary depth and players who can excel on special teams, and having the right birth certificate only improves their stock.

“I’m not taking my position for granted, though,” Sherman said. “I still have to show them my best. I have to give them a reason to consider me.”

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

Setting up e-camp

A total of 59 Canadian football prospects have been invited to the 2012 CFL evaluation camp, including an impressive 54 from CIS programs. Most of the nation’s top young talent will be in Toronto, too. The camp will feature 11 of the top 15 draft prospects, as determined by CFL Central Scouting. Of the 59 Canuck prospects, only three are quarterbacks. Sadly, if Billy Greene (UBC), Kyle Graves (Acadia) and Kyle Quinlan (McMaster) are to make an impression on CFL coaches, it will be with another position in mind.

The drills: The 40-yard dash, vertical jump, bench press count (reps with 225 pounds), standing long jump, the shuttle run and the three-cone exercise, where players run between cones that are placed in an “L” shape. Prospects have to undergo a variety of flexibility tests, as well, some that are more suited to the yoga studio than the football field.

The top draft pick in 2011, Bombers linebacker Henoc Muamba, tested very well at last year’s e-camp. Not only was he the fastest linebacker in the 40-yard-sprint (4.72 seconds), he also finished top five in the bench press, the shuttle and the three-cone drill.

Great test scores don’t always lead to success. In 2011, Wilfrid Laurier lineman Michael Knill created headlines with a camp-record 47 reps in the bench press. He was drafted in the sixth round by Toronto and his buzz quickly faded away. The fastest player was York cornerback Andre Clarke (4.5 seconds). Teams weren’t impressed. He went undrafted.

— Wazny