Training camp 2024

[don corleone]

Mentioning early season play taking time for teams to gel made me wonder if it is a coincidence Winnipeg plays Ottawa twice in the first 5 games.

[David]

I'm torn. I love that the Concert Kick-Off is becoming a staple of the Doman era, with crowds in excess of 30,000 and a buzz built around the team.

My concern has been that, while the diehards know that there are only 2 preseason games in which to evaluate and there are fewer padded practices at training camp, casuals are likely not really aware. Timing and sloppiness can be an issue so they aren't seeing the best of CFL football. Fortunately, our Leos have had two blow-out victories to send fans home happy.

This year, we open in Toronto (I wonder if we'll face Chad Kelly or there will be disciplinary action?) so it won't be as bad.


DH

[Hambone]

I'm torn. I love that the Concert Kick-Off is becoming a staple of the Doman era, with crowds in excess of 30,000 and a buzz built around the team.

My concern has been that, while the diehards know that there are only 2 preseason games in which to evaluate and there are fewer padded practices at training camp, casuals are likely not really aware. Timing and sloppiness can be an issue so they aren't seeing the best of CFL football. Fortunately, our Leos have had two blow-out victories to send fans home happy.

This year, we open in Toronto (I wonder if we'll face Chad Kelly or there will be disciplinary action?) so it won't be as bad.


DH

The casuals may not be aware of the possible implications of current training camp processes. As casuals they also probably don't recognize any supposed sloppiness in early season games. They're there to enjoy the atmosphere and watch a game without getting wrapped up in the little details or "quality" of play. If their team wins the leave the stadium very happy calling it a great game.

One observance I've made since moving to PG relates to hockey. Junior hockey fans love their WHL hockey. Many like to claim it's more entertaining than the NHL. I long ago concluded that a big part of the entertainment value they perceive stems from the fact that they are kids still. While they are still playing at a very high level they don't possess the same attention to detail as the pros do and tend to make more mistakes which lead to sloppy hockey. But guess what? Those mistakes and turnovers actually create entertainment and scoring opportunities.

So while us hardcore football fans might see a sloppy mistake leading to a turnover or score the casual fan might see an entertaining play.

[Hambone]

Mentioning early season play taking time for teams to gel made me wonder if it is a coincidence Winnipeg plays Ottawa twice in the first 5 games.

That's not as bad as 2022 when Ottawa started the season with a home and away series with Winnipeg. Ottawa lost both but easily could have won both.

[Qman]

Looks like rookie camp starts with walkthru Wednesday night at 5pm.
I guess the main purpose of rookie camp is cut 15 of 50 guys before vets report.

[B.C.FAN]

Looks like rookie camp starts with walkthru Wednesday night at 5pm.
I guess the main purpose of rookie camp is cut 15 of 50 guys before vets report.

I’ve seen the odd player excel in rookie camp
and immediately take first-team reps at the start of main camp. Barring injuries, I doubt that we’ll see that this year with a veteran team.

I’ll be there for the three full practices on Thursday and Friday. The main things to watch for in rookie camp are no-shows and injuries.

[Qman]

Yes, that's another factor. There are still some padded practices in camp but I don't even try to evaluate line play. The lack of contact also makes it tough to evaluate running backs. The real test of the roster comes in the first few games of the regular season.

When the CFL went from a 16 game season with 4 pre-season games to 18 games and only 2 pre-season games, it felt like now we have 2 pre-season games that count in the standings. That said, I don't really have a problem with the current 18 game set up, but I just have to accept the fact that early season there will be lots of errors on the field.

I'll take the current format any day of the week over the old 16 & 4 split. I only had full STs for the last 3 years of that and hated 20% of my ST cost going to 2 meaningless-in-the-standings preseason games I would not be attending.

That aside the current format really changes the priorities of training camp. Back in the day it took 20 to 25 days just to get the 4 preseason games played. Camps likely opened upwards of 5 weeks before the first regular season games. Two-a-days were frequent with likely every practice being in pads. Twice as many preseason games made for a lot more game reps for competition and evaluation. Looking at BC's 2024 practice schedule they'll be getting roughly 33 hours of practice time over 12 sessions plus a few walk thrus. Camps must end 18 days after they start today.

Back in the day players probably need the first week just to burn off the offseason fat and get somewhat close to the shape all players show up at camp in today. With relatively limited practice and preseason time today compared to pre-1986 a lot ot time is still sent on teaching of technique but the main focus is to start Installing the offensive and defensive schemes. Teams now are likely to be just as prepared for Week 1 as they were back in the 70s because of that early focus shift.

Honestly, in 10 years I don’t see preseason games happening, fans increasingly don’t want to pay for preseason games.

I could see converting 2 preaseasom games and go 20 game season, and teams fly into camps for 2-3 controlled scrimmages during 3 week camp. Which is essentially games without hitting qbs. They do this a lot in nfl.

[Hambone]

Coming out of the shortened post-Covid when there were no preseason games I wondered if they'd consider it in the future.

[B.C.FAN]

Lions' rookies were joined by quarterbacks Vernon Adams, Jake Dolegala, Dakota Prukop and Chase Brice for the first full practice of mini-camp Thursday morning at sunny Hillside Stadium in Kamloops. Other returnees from last year's training camp included receivers Ayden Eberhardt and Bryson Daughtry, fullback Dylan St. Pierre and OL Chris Schleuger. I counted about 56 players on the field, but the roster is still somewhat in flux, with several late additions and deletions. All six signees from last week's CFL draft were on the field, plus punter Carl Meyer from the Global draft.

For the first practice of mini-camp, it was a crisp session, with lots of one-on-ones, positional drills and special teams coverage, as well as some skelly and a closing team session led by Dolegala and Prukop. The early one-on-ones featured a lot of dropped passes, but receivers seemed to get more comfortable as the practice went on. NFL vet Travis Fulgham lined up at slotback and showed a consistent ability to get open, catch the ball and turn upfield. Stanley Berryhill, who bounced around NFL and XFL rosters for the past two seasons, is another newcomer to watch. Junior invitee Colton Meikle of the Kamloops Broncos also showed a consistent ability to catch the ball while others were dropping it. He was the focus of attention for a Kamloops TV news crew, the only media attendees I noticed.

Running back Percy Agyie-Obese from James Madison showed good power in the inside run game and will be someone to watch. Ronald Awatt from UTEP, a UDFA with San Francisco 49ers last year, also showed a good burst inside. Both rookies are listed at 213 lbs., while fellow rookie Damarea Crockett, who attended training camp with the New York Jets last year, is listed at 225. They'll likely have to battle second-year Lion Taquan Mizzell (185 lbs.) to back up veteran free-agent acquisition William Stanback, who is listed at 233.

Meyer and American punter Shane McDonough are the only specialists in mini-camp. On first impression, neither looked to be a threat to Stefan Flintoft.

The rookies return to the field at 4 p.m. Thursday to complete the only two-a-day of camp, before getting a final chance to make an impression Friday morning. The survivors will join the remaining veterans for the opening of main camp Sunday morning.

[Toppy Vann]

Great report, BC Fan. Even more intriguing are the names and what they're doing.

I like the QBs they have as of now.

[B.C.FAN]

The afternoon half of Thursday's mini-camp started more low key, with walkthoughs to install plays and teach special teams coverage, as well as some positional drills. I counted 57 players in uniform, including receiver Jamarius Way, who was a limited participant.

For the first time, Global draft pick Carl Meyer practised field goals, showing a strong leg. He hit easily from as far as 37 yards, with at least 20 yards to spare, so that gives him one advantage as an eventual successor to veteran Sean Whyte.

Receivers and quarterbacks looked much sharper than they did in the morning in one-on-ones. Travis Fulgham, Stanley Berryhill, Bryson Daughtry and Taylor Grimes all made clutch catches that drew cheers from teammates. Ayden Eberhardt ran two smooth deep touchdown routes. Grimes and Berryhill also looked good as punt returners.

National DB Jassin States-McClean, appearing in his second Kamloops camp, made a big knockdown that drew recognition from teammates and a hand slap from assistant DB coach Tanya Henderson. American DB Bryce Watts, who was waived with an injury settlement from the Pittsburgh Steelers after being injured in mini-camp in 2022, had two knockdowns that could have been INTs. Lions' 2023 draft pick Charlie Ringland, who missed last season after tearing an ACL at the 2023 CFL Combine, had an impressive knockdown on a deep post pattern by Fulgham

In team play, RB Percy Agyei-Obese again took first reps and had a big run up middle. Eberhardt had a deep post TD in double coverage from Dakota Prukop, who also completed a deep post pass to Fulgham. Chase Brice, who spent most of last season on the practice roster, had a nice QB keeper and looked crisp passing.

It's clear after two practices that the Lions have a lot of depth at skill positions. Several receivers appear capable of stepping into the starting lineup in place of the injured Keon Hatcher and unsigned free agent Lucky Whitehead. In fact, this may be the deepest receiving corps I've seen at a Lions' camp despite the loss of the two veterans. It will be fascinating to watch this position group when main camp opens on Sunday.

Before then, rookies will have a final chance to make an impression Friday morning. I haven't done the math, but the roster has to be cut to 85 players on Saturday, excluding non-counters (rookie draft picks and juniors). Another 10 players will have to be cut by Tuesday.

[Hambone]

BC currently has 105 players listed on their roster. That includes Hatcher and Lee bringing the number down to 103. 103 also includes the draft pick non-counters being players attending their 1st camps. That would include the 5 draft picks this year plus Ringland so down to 97. By the definition of non-counters I came across on CFLdba I believe that Covington and Joseph also qualify as non-counters. However I don't think Kieran Poissant, as a graduated CJFL player, qualifies any more. Kamloops Bronco Kolton Meickle BCF mention earlier is not listed on the roster. Looks like they will need to trim 10 to get down to 85.

With 21 healthy DBs and 21 healthy WRs listed plus 17 DL I think those cuts will mostly come out of those position groups.

[SammyGreene]

The afternoon half of Thursday's mini-camp started more low key, with walkthoughs to install plays and teach special teams coverage, as well as some positional drills. I counted 57 players in uniform, including receiver Jamarius Way, who was a limited participant.

For the first time, Global draft pick Carl Meyer practised field goals, showing a strong leg. He hit easily from as far as 37 yards, with at least 20 yards to spare, so that gives him one advantage as an eventual successor to veteran Sean Whyte.

Receivers and quarterbacks looked much sharper than they did in the morning in one-on-ones. Travis Fulgham, Stanley Berryhill, Bryson Daughtry and Taylor Grimes all made clutch catches that drew cheers from teammates. Ayden Eberhardt ran two smooth deep touchdown routes. Grimes and Berryhill also looked good as punt returners.

National DB Jassin States-McClean, appearing in his second Kamloops camp, made a big knockdown that drew recognition from teammates and a hand slap from assistant DB coach Tanya Henderson. American DB Bryce Watts, who was waived with an injury settlement from the Pittsburgh Steelers after being injured in mini-camp in 2022, had two knockdowns that could have been INTs. Lions' 2023 draft pick Charlie Ringland, who missed last season after tearing an ACL at the 2023 CFL Combine, had an impressive knockdown on a deep post pattern by Fulgham

In team play, RB Percy Agyei-Obese again took first reps and had a big run up middle. Eberhardt had a deep post TD in double coverage from Dakota Prukop, who also completed a deep post pass to Fulgham. Chase Brice, who spent most of last season on the practice roster, had a nice QB keeper and looked crisp passing.

It's clear after two practices that the Lions have a lot of depth at skill positions. Several receivers appear capable of stepping into the starting lineup in place of the injured Keon Hatcher and unsigned free agent Lucky Whitehead. In fact, this may be the deepest receiving corps I've seen at a Lions' camp despite the loss of the two veterans. It will be fascinating to watch this position group when main camp opens on Sunday.

Before then, rookies will have a final chance to make an impression Friday morning. I haven't done the math, but the roster has to be cut to 85 players on Saturday, excluding non-counters (rookie draft picks and juniors). Another 10 players will have to be cut by Tuesday.

Always appreciate and look forward to these outstanding training camp reports B.C. FAN. Encouraging to read the depth of talent in what is shaping up to be some great battles for starting positions.

For players like Eberhardt and others, it must be inspiring seeing the likes of Hollins and Hatcher go from practice roster players to leading roles and now among the highest paid in the league at their positions. Now his opportunity has arrived.