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Following a sunny day at Shouldice Park, Stampeder hopefuls went to battle in the rain Monday morning for the second day of training camp.
Day 2 saw many battle drills including one-on-ones and pass skeleton that had intensity from start to finish.
Dickenson Likes The Intensity
General manager and head coach Dave Dickenson met with the media following on-field sessions and spoke about the level of compete he has seen.
“It feels like we’re competing at the level we need to, to get better,” he explained. “I’m not saying we didn’t do that in the past, I don’t question the effort of any of the teams that I’ve coached but there is a little bit extra banter, there is some extra talk and I think everyone knows if they can get out there and continually put it together rep after rep they have a good chance to be playing. That’s all a player wants.”
Reggie Sees The Battles Going On
Stamps veteran receiver Reggie Begelton is excited about the energy from the group so far.
“There’s a lot of jobs on the line and everybody knows that,” said Begelton. “The intensity is here. However, at the same time, it was fun to be out here. The first time in the huddle I caught myself smiling, just grateful to be out here again.”
Begelton talked about getting his first few camp reps with Vernon Adams Jr.
“It’s lovely,” he said. “Every time we were going through stations you hear his voice. You hear his voice in the huddle, you hear his voice after the play, you hear his voice in transition periods. When you hear a guy’s voice like that you can’t help but respect it and then he’s making plays, what is there not to smile about?”
V.A Ready To Get Going
Vernon Adams Jr. has been around the team since the start of rookie camp and talked about how quick camp has come.
“Honestly, this is the quickest offseason I’ve had,” he explained. “I think it was because I was so excited. I would always talk to my receivers and even the o-line at times and tell them I’m itching guys, I can’t wait to get out there. I’m just happy to be here and getting back to work.”
He spoke about his early chemistry with some of the receivers.
“We’re going to have to keep building that chemistry,” said Adams Jr. “There is always room to improve. It’s never as good and never as bad as you think it is so we’ve gotta watch the film and keep getting better.”
The Stamps head to BC to take on the Lions in their first preseason tuneup Monday, May 19 at 2 p.m. MT. They wrap up preseason play at home Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 pm against the Edmonton Elks.