Denmark owns strong work ethic

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/06/2012 (4862 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RECEIVER Clarence Denmark knows exactly what guys like Doug Pierce, Paul Hubbard, Chris Matthews and Kurt Adams are going through right now.

Rookie pass catchers trying to grab the attention of the coaching staff during Bomber training camp face difficult odds. It’s not so much the challenge of showing off your talent — confidence in their own abilities runs high — it’s showing that little extra when the rare opportunity presents itself.

“Yeah, it’s tough,” said Denmark, the Bombers top rookie in 2011. “You know there’s a struggle, so you have to keep performing day in and day out. There are a lot of guys in front of you. You’re new, nobody really knows you and you’re new to the game.

“It’s difficult to get an opportunity but once you do, you have to take advantage.”

How did Denmark get noticed last season?

He tried to remain consistent during the training camp workouts, he said, and when it was time for the pre-season games he made the most of his opportunities. In his second exhibition appearance, a loss to Toronto, Denmark caught five passes for 52 yards and a touchdown, developing chemistry with Bomber quarterback Joey Elliott that game.

Has Denmark’s mindset changed this camp, knowing that he’s widely considered to be one of the four automatics for a Bombers receiving spot heading into 2012?

“No, I just happened to get an opportunity,” he said. “It could be somebody else this time around, so I have to continue to work hard. There are some good players here.”

FAST AND FURIOUS: A number of Bomber players have referenced the speed and quick tempo of offensive co-ordinator Gray Crowton’s offence this past week.

If the Bombers aren’t going to a hurry-up offence — one of the few details they’ve provided about the new attack — what exactly does a “quick-tempo offence” consist of then?

Crowton said he’s looking for a “no nonsense” attitude when the Bombers have the ball.

“I’m just trying to get them in and out of the huddle,” he said. “I’m a person that doesn’t do a lot of talking (to the quarterbacks). I just want to get the play out, get it to the line of scrimmage and run it quickly so they think well and they’re focused. I don’t want to have a lot of standing around.

“Let’s play, let’s get in and out of the huddle, (and) let’s play fast.”

BOOT BATTLE: The fight for the punting job has turned into an international incident.

Canadian Mike Renaud and American Eric Wilbur have had their moments through the first six days of camp, with neither jumping out ahead of the other by any distinguishable margin. Wilbur has the stronger leg, no question, but he’s been prone to the same consistency issues that plagued Renaud last season.

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Game conditions

The Bombers are scheduling a controlled scrimmage this morning, giving the players an opportunity to participate in a game simulation. The game clock would be used and officials will be on hand to monitor the play. To avoid injury, the “game” will be a non-contact affair, so just how authentic the experience will be remains unknown. Practice starts at 10:30 a.m. at Canad Inns Stadium.

Volny not close

Carl Volny, a second-year Canadian running back who’s still coming back from a torn ACL, did some light running between cones with athletic therapist Alain Couture Friday. That’s the good news. The bad news is that Volny is still not ready to join the main camp yet. Head coach Paul LaPolice said the club will continue to be very patient with Volny, adding there is no timetable for his return.