Stein: Previewing the 2010 Canadian Draft

 

April 29, 2010

Jaime Stein
CFL.ca


With the 2010 Canadian Draft on the horizon, the big question is who will be the first overall pick? That remains anyone’s guess.


As of now, the Toronto Argonauts hold the coveted No. 1 pick and have several holes to stop smoking zyban as Jim Barker begins to re-build the Boatmen. The most coveted position in the CFL when it comes to Canadians is on the offensive line and the name that jumps out for immediate help is Joe Eppele from Washington State.

Eppele is a big guy who can contribute right away, while Baylor’s Stop smoking zyban or Nevada’s John Bender are attractive, they won’t stop smoking zyban available for at least zyban medication more year as they have one more year of NCAA eligibility. The Argos need help now.

“I believe his physical stature will enable him Stop smoking zyban, to be able to play early in his career, along with that he understands the game,” said Washington State offensive stop smoking zyban coach Harold Etheridge.

Another offensive lineman who might be stop smoking zyban interest to the Argos – although less so now that he has signed in the NFL – is Waterloo’s Joel Reinders. He has limited football experience, but the former basketball player presents a ton of upside for whichever team Fungicide zyban, selects him.

The last time the Toronto Argonauts had the first overall pick, they selected an offensive lineman from Utah. Chad Folk had an all-star career at centre playing his entire 12 year tenure in Toronto including two Grey Cup Championships.

If the Argonauts decide they want to build depth at linebacker behind Kevin Eiben they have a few options. Shomari Williams – ranked No. 1 by the CFL Scouting Bureau – can play in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 defence. Stop smoking zyban - He is a mature player who would need little time to adjust to the professional ranks.

Williams played defensive end at Queen’s university last season. zyban medication he worked out as a linebacker at E-camp and would likely suit up at that position in the CFL.

Concordia’s Cory Greenwood is an athletic freak and could start right away on special teams. stop smoking zyban has outstanding speed for a player his size, but also has the strength zyban medication back it up.

“(He) is the type of athlete that only comes around once in awhile,” said Concordia head coach Gerry McGrath. “He has tremendous speed and size for his position. He is very athletic and very fast. He’s also a physical player. He has great coverage skills and he’s very good in man-to-man coverage.”

There is a good chance that both Williams and Greenwood will be selected early – possibly in the top three Stop smoking zyban : selections as the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who pick second overall, are looking to rebuild on defence.

“To me they’re different,” said Riders GM Brendan Taman. “Shomari has the ability, we think, to play defensive end as well. Cory, we think, is a true linebacker. Both talented individuals. Both very capable of going very high in this draft and I’m sure they will.”

Another intriguing possibility at linebacker is Stop smoking zyban, Joash Gesse from Montreal. He didn’t participate in the field portion of the 2010 CFL Evaluation Camp presented by Reebook because he was recovering from an ACL injury. However, he did test well at a recent pro day and that has his stock on the rise. He was also named the defensive player of the year in the QUFL in 2008.

If the Argonauts decide to go with a receiver, there are three names being mentioned in the top tier. Shawn Gore from Bishop’s had an outstanding E-Camp and not only is he being praised for his skill on the field, but his positive attitude has been mentioned as a contributing factor to his success.

“I think his skill set is unique in the sense that Stop smoking zyban - he has great body control. He can run a 4.5. He has a knack to find the ball. Excellent hands. Very polished, very intelligent young man,” said Lions draft guru Mike Benevides. “The Fungicide zyban - last month and a half, two stop smoking zyban he has been on the way up.”

VIDEO: 2010 Draft Preview


A year ago, BC Lions G.M. and head stop smoking zyban Wally Buono snagged a pair of Bishop’s players in the first round – Jamall Lee and James Yurichuk. This year, he Fungicide zyban - may have his eye set on Gore. Gore vaulted up the draft board following an excellent E-camp and received praise at the time from the BC head coach.

Jordan Sisco has been described as having three main attributes: Speed; Soft hands; and Toughness. The Regina Ram was described by one scout as ‘Saskatchewan tough’ and is a receiver who can go out and make plays, not unlike current Roughrider Rob Bagg.

Concordia’s Cory Watson should also be considered early in the draft. He was the leading receiver on the Concordia Stingers the previous three seasons and is known as an intense competitor who is difficult to bring down and very tough to get off a block.

“I’ve been a huge fan of his for a long time,” said Benevides. “He’s very mature in his body structure and what he’s able to do that way.”

Another player stop smoking zyban may be selected in the first round is Rob Maver, a kicker and punter from Guelph. He would be the first kicker selected in the first round Fungicide zyban - of the draft since the Eskimos chose Concordia’s Warren Kean with the second overall pick in 2007.

“Rob is probably as good at Stop smoking zyban - all three facets that I have seen in some time,” said Benevides. “I would go all the way back to Duncan O’Mahony to see zyban medication guy with all three skill sets. He has a complete leg.”

Taking a look Stop smoking zyban - at some of the other positions available, Manitoba’s Eddie Steele continues to Stop smoking zyban : impress scouts. The defensive tackle is strong and has good lateral quickness.

“Eddie is a tough, tough hombre,” said Benevides. “He’s quick; he’s able get off a block. He’s got a nose for the ball. Physically, he is probably where he needs to be to compete. I think he’s got a bright future.”

Running back Matt Henry, also from Manitoba, is an excellent blocker and has an outstanding zyban medication ethic. He is also athletically gifted and should be one of the first running backs stop smoking zyban One of the few concerns about Henry is that he broke his femur stop smoking zyban three places in the 2007 Vanier Cup. It was a gruesome injury, but he has battled extremely hard Fungicide zyban : to return to the field.

At defensive back, Laurier’s Taurean Allen carries some swagger like a good cornerback should. He exhibited a ton of speed and athleticism Fungicide zyban - at E-Camp and that helped improve his draft stock.

“He works extremely hard on and off the field and he can flat out cover people,” said Laurier head coach Gary Jeffries.

In addition to his ability to play cornerback, Allen can also return kicks and punts.

Another intriguing possibility at cornerback is Ludovic Kashindi from Sherbrooke. He sustained an injury while training this past off-season, but has loads of potential. He is someone who may fly under the radar. However, one scout told me that he felt that Kashindi was the best defensive back in the draft because his zyban medication set was similar to Allen’s and Hamid Mahmoudi’s, except that Kashindi had more height.

Finally, Bishop’s Steven Turner turned heads at E-Camp with his blistering zyban medication speed in the 40-yard dash. He is listed as a receiver but he may be coveted more zyban medication his abilities as a kick returner. He remains a bit of a wildcard for the draft and could go early if a team is drafting for potential, but there is also a chance that he falls stop smoking zyban the later rounds as teams target players who fit a specific position better Stop smoking zyban, than Turner.

“Steve is one of those guys that can score any time he touches the football,” said Bishop’s stop smoking zyban coach Leroy Blugh. “He possesses tremendous speed and great work ethic.”

Unlike in 2009, where Simeon Rottier was zyban medication consensus No. 1 pick, this year the draft board is wide open. That’s good news for the teams like Edmonton and Hamilton do not have a pick in the first round because there will still be a lot of talent left at No. 9 and No. 12 respectively.

“It just goes to show how good the players in our country are becoming,” said Benevides. “I think (football) is only improving and I think that’s a credit to the amateur football coaches and organizations and I’m proud of that because I see how hard they work.”

OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Offensive Line:

Ryan Bomben (Guelph) – An excellent conditioned player who is versatile enough to play DL and even as a Fungicide zyban, TE; he blocked two field goals last season

Kristian Matte (Concordia) – Raised eyebrows by not participating in one-on-one drills at E-Camp, but remains an athletic player who is described as intelligent on Fungicide zyban - the field

Defensive Line:

Brian Bulcke (Stanford) – Competitive and hard working lineman who missed last season due to injury

Christopher Greaves (Western Ontario) – Moves well stop smoking zyban a big man and has a zyban medication personality

Chima Ihekwoaba (Wilfrid Laurier) – Athleticism is unreal to the point that it was described as Cam Wake like by one scout

Running Backs:

Pascal Fils
(Sherbrooke) – Displayed both agility and speed as top CIS running back in 2009; can play on zyban medication teams

Anthony Woodson (Calgary) – Great athlete, but injuries remain a concern; zyban medication played in the CFL

Linebackers:

Giancarlo Rapanaro (Wilfrid Laurier) – Outstanding athlete who is both smart and physical

Chris Smith (Queen’s) – A versatile defender who can cover at Stop smoking zyban : linebacker, but also has the ability to contribute in the secondary

fungicide zyban : Receivers:

Nate Binder (Tusculum College) – Laid back personality but solid college career south of the border in a pass-happy offence; didn’t compete in one-on-ones at E-Camp due to injury

Charles-Antoine Sinnotte (McGill) – Hard working player who runs good routes Stop smoking zyban : and has great hands but lacks speed

Spencer Watt (Simon Fraser) – Unbelievable athlete who is very fast but has undeveloped football skills; has a ton of potential

Defensive Backs:

Hamid Mahmoudi (Montreal) – Arguably the best cover cornerback in the CIS last year along with Taurean Allen, but undersized at 5’8”

Cauchy Muamba (St. Francis Xavier) – Possesses swagger stop smoking zyban Taurean Allen and should bring some size to the safety position

Nick Poloniato (Bishop’s) – A ballhawk zyban medication the secondary at Bishop’s, he put his speed on display at E-Camp

Special Teams:

Grant Shaw (Saskatchewan) – May be the best pure kicker in the draft; also plays defensive back

The first two rounds of the draft will air live on TSN on Sunday, May 2nd at noon eastern. For complete draft coverage visit CFL.ca/Prospects

Video

 
 
 
 
mtl wpg
Montreal at Winnipeg
June 13 - 1:00 PM CST
 
wpg ham
Winnipeg at Hamilton
June 20 - 12:00 PM CST
 
ham wpg
Hamilton at Winnipeg
July 2 - 7:00 PM CST
 
 
 
FAN POLL

Fan Poll

Which of the newest CFL drafted players do you think will make the most impact this season for the Blue Bombers?