Gause is ‘just getting going’

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This article was published 25/04/2018 (2833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Quentin Gause took one look at the vast expanse of Investors Group Field earlier this week and knew he was in a good space.

The 25-year-old linebacker from Rochester, N.Y., a newbie to the Canadian game, is attending Winnipeg’s pre-season mini-camp with the intention of earning a job for the 2018 season.

A 6-0, 233-pounder, the Rutgers University product understood immediately he will need to be very mobile to play for the Blue Bombers.

“You’ve gotta make sure you’re conditioned,” Gause said after Wednesday’s morning workout at Investors Group Field. “If you’re a heavy linebacker from the NFL coming in here, you’re gonna have problems. I’ve always played special teams, my whole college career and in the NFL.

“That’s how I made my money. You have to be conditioned to do that. Especially in college, I was starting and on special teams.”

Gause played inside linebacker in the NFL and is considered a top candidate for Winnipeg’s starting slot at middle linebacker with the departure of Sam Hurl to Saskatchewan in free agency.

“You’re definitely covering a lot more ground as a linebacker and the motion, you’ve gotta get used to that, but after the first day I got used to it and you know, I’m just getting going,” Gause said.

Gause appears to be very hungry for the opportunity. The undrafted free agent made NFL stops in Philadelphia, New England and Denver in 2016 before earning a practice squad spot with the Broncos and dressing for the final six games of the season.

Last year, he was released during Denver’s final pre-season cutdown.

“That’s pretty much what I am as a person,” Gause said. “To always grind — day in, day out. That’s how you earn it. Guys like Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis. How do they do their daily routines? How do they prepare? I’ve grown up watching that.”

Who’s the best?

Gause was asked to name the best player he’s ever played with.

“He’s goofy but I’d say (Broncos outside linebacker) Von Miller,” he said. “He goes day in, day out, he works hard. He’s naturally gifted, man. He can come off the edge and make plays. He can get down with his hands touching the ground and dip around the tackle and hit the quarterback.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @sawa14