Bisons’ Steele stoked to head to Steeltown

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This article was published 03/05/2010 (5997 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MEMO to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Please ensure the offensive-line prospect Eddie Steele first faces in rookie camp next month has been forewarned.

The University of Manitoba Bison defensive tackle, you see, is coming to Steeltown with his hard hat and lunch pail in tow and sporting a serious case of bad intent.

“I’m going into training camp with a vengeance,” Steele said Sunday, not long after the Ticats selected him in the third round, 22nd overall of the CFL Canadian Draft. “I was a little upset at first because I thought I was going to get drafted a little higher. But Hamilton’s going to be a good fit. I’m really excited to be going out there.”

Ranked among the top-10 prospects by most draft experts, Steele watched nervously as the first two rounds unfolded without commissioner Mark Cohon calling out his name. But in the third round, the Ticats made a deal — with Steele’s hometown Winnipeg Blue Bombers — to move up to grab Steele, giving up the 28th overall pick and the rights to QB Alex Brink.

“The first two rounds definitely dragged on for me,” said Steele. “I thought I was going to be a high draft pick, right? But it wasn’t too, too bad. It’s so exciting. It’s a dream come true, it honestly is. I’m so blessed to be in the position that I’m in. I’m just glad for all the support I have with all my friends and family.”

The 21-year-old Steele was named a CIS second-team all-star last season, despite starting only six games due to injury. Interestingly, he follows in the footsteps of his father Leroy who was drafted 62nd overall by the Ticats in 1984.

No other Bisons were selected in the draft, although it’s possible running back Matt Henry, kicker Scott Dixon and linebacker Everton Black may sign as free agents before CFL camps open in June.

The Bisons, for the record, have now had more players selected in the draft — 27 — than any other school.

ANOTHER VOICE: Here’s University of Calgary head coach Blake Nill on RB Anthony Woodson, drafted by the Bombers on Sunday, in an interview with the Calgary Herald: “Here’s a kid who I don’t think missed a practice or a game, and then he’s been hit hard with three tough injuries. But he’s the prototype athlete that CFL teams are looking for as part of their Canadian content. He’s got the speed, he’s got the talent and, just as important, he’s a coachable young man, he’s an intelligent young man.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

On the Brink

A look at the new QB acquired by the Bombers on Sunday:

Name: Alex Brink.

HEIGHT: 6-2.

Weight: 208.

Born: June 2, 1985.

College: Washington State.

Pro: Houston Texans practice squad 2008-09; attended New York Jets’ mini-camp last week but was not signed.

College days: Finished his career as one of the school’s all-time greats with career records in passing yards, touchdowns, attempts, completions and total offence. Threw for 3,818 yards, second-highest in school history… third in Pac-10 history — behind only Carson Palmer and Derek Anderson — in passing yardage… completed 58.4 per cent of his passes for 10,913 yards, 76 touchdowns and 43 interceptions… was 17-23 over four seasons as a starter…. honourable mention All-Pac-10 (2004); Second-team All-Pac-10 (2006, 2007), Pac-10 All-Academic Team (2005, 2006, 2007.

LaPolice’s take: “We said there may be a fifth guy out there that if we could bring in, we would. He’s that calibre. He was second all-time in passing with the Pac-10. The head coach at Oregon, Chip Kelly, is a friend of mine and he knows the kid very well and speaks highly of him. Says he’s a great character kid who is just excited to be a part of the organization, so we’ll try to get that one locked up.”