Gary Lawless thinks you should know

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/06/2009 (5952 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SUNDAY marked the end of two-a-days and coach Mike Kelly says just about everyone is glad to see them pass.

"There’s really nothing fun about two-a-days," Kelly said with a laugh. "The players get to lay down. We get to go to more meetings. It’s a grind on everybody but I think we got a lot done this week. I think we got a lot done in a short period of time. This is the shortest stretch of two-a-days you’re going to find.

"Back in the old days, we’d go three weeks of this at least. These guys are a little spoiled but I think they worked real hard both on the field and in the classroom. I’m sure they’d rather have had a little more free time but it’s been a productive time for us."

GET HEALTHY

OR GET GONE

LOTS of players get banged up in training camp. It’s just the cruel reality of pro football that players need to participate, healthy or not.

Veterans get a little more leeway as the coaches have an idea what they can do. But for a rookie or a player on the bubble, a training camp nick can sometimes bleed out a career.

"The more guys are out, the more difficult it is for us to evaluate them," said Kelly. "The only way for us to evaluate them is for them to get on the field. If they don’t do that, they’re hurting their own opportunity."

BLUE DEAL AMOS

THE Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Edmonton Eskimos clearly have each other on speed dial — the two clubs have made another trade.

An Edmonton radio station is reporting the Bombers have traded cornerback Willie Amos to the Eskimos in exchange for offensive lineman Thaddeus Coleman.

Amos suited up for 11 games for the Bombers last season, registering 52 tackles, a forced fumble and fumble recovery and one interception. But he’s been battling an injury at camp.

Coleman (6-8, 310), turns 24 this week and joined the Eskimos last September after his release by the Arizona Cardinals and then the New York Jets last August.

He spent the rest of 2008 on Edmonton’s practice roster and can play both right and left tackle.

Dan Giancola on finally getting to kick:

"Sitting around camp up until now, treatment, treatment, treatment. Man, it just felt unbelievable to get out there. It’s been a month-and-a-half since I kicked. Finally getting the green light to out and get to kick some balls was great."

Giancola on making a comeback:

"It took me 10 years to get my first shot (in pro football) and only five years to get a chance at a comeback. I think I’m doing pretty good this time. Whatever happens, happens. But I’ll tell you what, they’re going to have to take me away in a stretcher before they tell me I can’t kick."

Giancola on Winnipeg weather:

"My career-high kick is here. I had a 54-yarder in 1999 here. I couldn’t feel my foot when I hit it so I know about the cold. I won’t talk about the snow. I’m fine with it."