Brad Smith throws out pop-culture references as quickly as his former quarterback Tom Denison used to get him the football.The graduating Queen's Golden Gaels receiver (pictured) is one of several CFL prospects who are contributing to the league's official blog in advance of the May 2 Canadian College Draft, and God help us, his entries have been amusing. If he sticks in the league, he could be the CFL's answer to other athlete-bloggers such as hoops' Paul Shirley and baseball's Curtis Granderson.
"As I sat in the gym with a very 'aloof' look on my face, I thought to myself...I should just run away and join the Circus. Barnum and Bailey's maybe? Come on, you know what I'm talking about... life gets a little rough next thing you know you're thinking about taking the easy way out. I always dreamed of becoming a Carnie. I've got the small hands and could learn to smell like cabbage."
Or: "Independence is scary, the days of sipping daiquiris by the pool and chasing invisible penguins are over."
Blogging with Austin Powers and Billy Madison references? Someone, please, find a place for Smith on their roster.
Here's some other players with ties to The 613 to keep an eye on for the May 2 selections:
Jesse Card, defensive back, McMaster: Card, a defensive halfback, is an Ottawa native who played his high school ball at Sir Robert Borden. He was Mac's other Jesse (along with Lumsden on offence), a ominant defensive back who covers the field well. His 40-yeard dash time, 4.85 seconds, seems a bit slow, but he would play faster than that, and it's not like that makes a difference in a league where some of the receivers who are considered serious prospects run in the 4.6s.Yves Bériault, wideout, U de Montréal: Bériault, from Ottawa, was generally considered the CIS' fastest player last season, but didn't have great stats in a struggling Carabins offence. From afar, it looks like he might lack a little polish but his speed would make him a good special-teamer.
Kevin Kelly, centre, U of Ottawa: Kelly was the anchor of the best O-line in the OUA last season, a group that let the Gee-Gees also have a balanced attack between rushing and passing.
Cheeler Lindor, outside linebacker, U of Ottawa: He's a 'tweener at 5-foot-11, 212 lbs., but that could help him -- some CFL teams covet range over size at his position. He flies to the ball very well.
Mike Sheridan, outside linebacker, U of Ottawa: Sheridan did not always get a lot of attention during the Gee-Gees' Yates Cup run last season -- Joe Barnes, the inside 'backer, became the de facto spokesman for the defence -- but he's 6-2, 220, and came through a program where playing time can be hard to come by, so that should speak for his competitiveness. Hey's from the GTA, so the Argos or Ticats might come calling.
The Gee-Gees have two other players whom the CFL also invited to a prospects camp: Wideout Adam Nicolson and defensive back-kick returner Anthony Plante-Ajah were the others. Laval was the only other school with five players invited.
That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.
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3 comments:
Quick note on Lindor -- given his speed, he could possibly be converted to a safety in the CFL. You are right, though, in that CFL teams are often willing to sacrifice size for speed at linebacker, especially given how often those guys are going to be asked to stay stride for stride with a running back in man coverage. Regardless, given his athleticism and citizenship, he's a lock to make someone's roster.
I think a few years ago the Ticats took a defensive back -- Sean Woodson, was it? -- and put him in at outside linebacker. They called him a linebacker, but he pretty much was just a halfback playing closer to the line of scrimmage.
What about the other guys?
Anthony Plante-Ajah has completed five years of CIS eligibility.He and his DE/TE brother Philip lived just around the corner from me and impressed me with there friendly and articulate disposition. APA is only being drafted now because he had asked for his draft year to be deferred until now. I hope he makes it to the CFL.
The other GG eligible for the draft this year all have CIS eligibility left. I think most of them,if not all still have credits to gain before getting a degree. Even those that are drafted and attend training camp are likely to be returned to the GGs to gain another year of experience and maturity, The GGs should be quite strong this year. I would not be surprised if Kelly, in particular, is placed on someones practice roster for the summer, until the GG fall camp starts. Good big stromg linemen like him are always in demand and I am sure some team will want to keep tabs on him for the future.
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