J’Micheal Deane is a rookie again — at least for a few days. He actually doesn’t mind, because it means he’s on the football field.
The Calgary Stampeders offensive lineman has recovered from the horrific broken ankle that ended his season last Oct. 14 in Toronto. That’s the good news. If there is bad news, it’s that Deane will hit the field with the Stampeders’ freshmen next Thursday when rookie camp opens.
“I maybe need a refresher because I was on defence for a while,” saide Deane, whose days as a defensive tackle are done. “I went into my rookie year, established myself a spot on the team and everything was going well … then I broke my ankle.
“So basically I go back into everything and again prove myself. I have to keep proving myself this season to show everybody I can still play.”
Deane will be competing for a job along what is a young and deep offensive line. He’s starting back at square one because of the injury and the time he spent on defence.
But at least his career didn’t end in Toronto. When it happened, even the most hardened person had to squirm at seeing his foot turned the wrong way. It’s a long road back, but he’s feeling like the injury won’t hold him back this season.
“As of right now, I feel more confident than I did a month or two ago,” Deane said. “There is virtually no pain left. Even when it was sore, I was still doing some drills with the offensive line.
“It felt comfortable. These two weeks or less until camp, I have to get strength back. I want to get the explosiveness back in that leg. For the position itself, you need to be able to move quickly.”
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Murphy saying good ‘buy’
Rob Murphy’s straight talk is exiting the CFL, but not before he goes one final round with media members. The Toronto Argonauts left tackle officially announced his retirement Wednesday and will host a celebration of his career Thursday.
And Murphy will be picking up the first round for all media in attendance during his ‘news conference’ at the Bier Markt in Toronto.
“My passion and intensity on the field was directly fueled by the respect I have for this game,” Murphy said in a statement. “I was truly honoured to be able to see this great country and the spirit the fans have for the CFL. Please join me for shots and beers in celebration of my retirement.”
Murphy leaves the CFL after six seasons, two of which he won the most outstanding lineman award (2006-07). He helped the B.C. lions win the 2006 Grey Cup before leaving Vancouver as a free agent in 2009 and heading to the Argos. Early in his CFL career, Murphy had a reputation as a dirty player, but he became extremely popular with fans in recent years, thanks in large part to his entertaining Twitter account.
But off the field, he was as friendly and genuine a guy who ever came up from the U.S. The media will miss him.
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Etcheverry lands with Gee Gees
Longtime CFL coach Gary Etcheverry will be taking a stab at being a CIS head coach. Etcheverry, who was most recently the defensive co-ordinator of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, will take over the Ottawa Gee Gees as head coach.
“I am absolutely thrilled with the opportunity,” said Etcheverry. “I am looking forward to making all the people who have supported me proud based on the results we are able to achieve, and to making some great alumni with the players that are here.”
Etcheverry had one year as head coach with the Toronto Argonauts in 2002 but his best days are as a defensive coach. This isn’t his first stint in the CIS though. In 2005, he was the defensive-line coach and special teams co-ordinator with the UBC Thunderbirds.
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Extra points
The Stamps have locked up four members of their draft class, meaning that five of their eight picks will be at camp. Signing Wednesday are were DB Keenan MacDougall, OL Mike Filer, DL Jordan Spence, and LB Wilkerson DeSouza. First-round pick Ameet Pall (defensive line) had already signed a contract, while the three others are underclassmen … The Arogs are mourning the loss of former player Dave (Super) Mann, who died at 79 due to complications due to dementia.
— Buz