Day 1 of camp and the optimism is overflowing

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/06/2015 (3774 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BOMBER TRAINING CAMP — DAY 1: There are certain guarantees in life — death, taxes, Keith Richards’ immortality and the fact that on opening day of training camp all across the Canadian Football League the level of optimism is never higher.

So it was no different for the Bombers, 2015 edition, on the first day of their main camp Sunday outside the Winnipeg Soccer Complex, after which the entire team ran to the sidelines to shake hands with the approximately 300 fans in attendance.

“I thought we had a very good day on the offensive side of the ball,” said Bomber quarterback Drew Willy. “During team periods I think I was nine-for-nine (passing). It was good just to get back out there. The O-line did a great job of giving me a clean pocket, guys were running the right routes and the ball was coming out. You can tell our defence is flying around and coach Hall (defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall) has those guys working hard.

“There’s a lot of optimism for us this year. We’re just going to keep being positive and every day come out here and try to get better.”

OUCH REPORT: Slotback Addison Richards, who looked so good during rookie camp, did not participate. Head coach Mike O’Shea said afterward that Richards, selected 11th overall in the 2015 CFL Draft, just needed a day off.

MR. VERSATILE: Troy Stoudermire spent the first half of the almost four-hour practice taking reps on offence as a receiver, fielded some kicks during the special-teams period and then spent the last half of the session on defence. Stoudermire played on both sides of the ball at the University of Minnesota and is one of the best athletes on the Bomber roster.

“We’re just experimenting with some things,” said Stoudermire. “Coach O’Shea told me I was going to be going both ways this camp. I’m up to the task. Anything to help the team, I’m going to do it. I’m not a selfish player. Even if I’m a two or three (second or third string) at that position, I’m going to do my best to help.”

Asked which meeting he was heading to after the workout — offence, defence or special teams — Stoudermire laughed and added: “whichever one they want me to go to, that’s the one I’ll go to.”

All present and accounted for: Chad Rempel, the veteran long-snapper who signed Saturday, was on the field. Ditto for defensive lineman Derrell Johnson, who missed rookie camp due to passport issues.

“He’s excellent at his craft, he’s a good snapper,” said O’Shea of Rempel. “But even more than that he’s going to raise the level of that group and of all the special teams. He demands excellence and he just brings that attitude there in a good way. They’re having fun being excellent and striving for that.”

The more you can do… Both Don Unamba and Chris Randle are listed at different positions on the depth chart than last year, Unamba at corner and Randle at outside linebacker. Unamba started games near the end of last year as a linebacker and Randle was the team’s shut-down corner, but will be asked to be more versatile in Hall’s defence. Each worked at both old and new positions Sunday.

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EXTRA HANDS: The Bombers guest coaches at camp include: Robert Hunt (fullbacks and tight ends/worked with offensive co-ordinator Marcel Bellefeuille in the UFL); Scott Brady (defence/special teams and is currently the defensive co-ordinator at Mount Allison University) and longtime Toronto Argonaut kicker — and former O’Shea teammate — Noel Prefontaine, is helping out with special teams.

NEXT: The Bombers continue camp today and are on the field beside the Winnipeg Soccer Complex from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait