Alservations: From Training Camp

Have no fear, Alservations is back for the 2011 season. Anytime I am able to escape the Radio studio and head to a football field, there will be Alservations. I Headed off to Sherbrooke today to catch up with our Local Canadian Football team, here are a few things I did notice:

-Despite not playing on Thursday, Anthony Calvillo wants to get in his reps during practice. Even though he didn’t toss the ball around, he still participated in the RB drills handing off primarily to Brandon Whitaker

-Brandon Whitaker’s attitude has changed along with his status with the team. In the post practice interview he did not sound or act like the practice roster player I talked to at the end of last year.

-WR Brandon London is trying to make his mark. As far as offensive players go, he definitely stood out more than anyone, making numerous tough hard catches that he had to compete for in the air with the DBs.

-Bo Bowling was probably the receiver with the most catches.

-Prechae Rodriguez looked out of sorts on a few plays, turning right when the ball went left and dropping at least one that was right in his hands. He has missed a couple of days because of injury.

-RB Yvenson Bernard’s legs are fast; when he gets into the open, watch out!

-DB Billy Parker looked good at CB, because of injuries and Dwight Anderson slated to be at Defensive HB, Parker has been on the Outside of the defence. Making him match up well will the taller outside receivers

-Despite not practicing due to a ‘rest day’ from Marc Trestman John Bowman participated in every DL drill, coaching and motivating his teammates.

-As for Kickers, looks like Sandro DeAngelis prefers the 2 different cleats style, whereas Sean Whyte likes to match.

-WR Eric Deslauriers looks to play a bigger role in the offence with Ben Cahoon moving on. Well his voice was at least heard. He was by far the Alouette with the most energy on the field. I’m pretty sure some teammates appreciated his liveliness and others just shook their head.

-And have no worries Marc Trestman still runs the show; on numerous occasions calling out players that lagged behind between drills. One can only assume this is a daily occurrence.

- Brian Bratton realises that Cahoon is gone and that Kerry Watkins has yet to arrive and with Jamel Richardson on the sidelines he was the elder statesman for receivers today. He relished the role and felt that SJ Green also played a leadership role too.

As for the upcoming pre-season game Thursday night at Percival Molson Stadium vs Winnipeg, here are a few line-up notes:

Out- Jamel Richardson (Hip Flexor), Danny Deriveaux (knee), Mark Estelle (shoulder)
Anthony Calvillo (vet Status), Scott Flory (vet Status), Jermaine McElveen(personal), De’Andra Cobb (Hamstring)

Questionable- Jerald Brown, Eric Wilson, John Bowman, RB Emmanuel Marc

Sean Whyte will kick for the first 2-3 quarters, then Sandro DeAngelis. It’ll be either Ricky Santos or Marc-Olivier Brouillette as holder.

Adrian McPherson will start, then the hometown fans will see Ricky Santos and the game will wrap up with Josh Neiswander.

Most of the RBs will get touches, starting with Whitaker, but then Yvenson Bernard, Emmanuel Marc (if he can go) and Rashad Slaughter. Dahrran Diedrick is in the mix too.

Trestman finished up by saying the goal is to get most of the ‘new’ guys time in a game situation. Don’t expect the vets to be in their for long, so don’t be late.