Ticats recent draftees make good impression

The Tiger-Cats selected 6 defensive players in this year’s CFL draft. Three of them have been at training camp, and all 3 have made a good impression.

Beau Landry is one of the last players to leave the practice field. Putting in a little more time, perfecting his craft. He was the first Western university player since Andy Fantuz to be drafted in the first round. And now they’re playing on the same team.

Jeff Reinbold: “Beau has, hands down been the hit of camp in my mind — of the young guys, because he showed the other day in that game, he can contribute as a special teams player.”

Landry — wearing number 37 — recorded his first “professional” special teams tackle last Saturday, but he has his sights set on being a “full-time” linebacker: “You know, i’m just trying to fit in wherever I can. Tthird team. I’m gunning for first team. Everyone is nipping at each other’s heels, so no position is guaranteed. I’m just trying to work my way up as soon as I can.”

While Acadia’s Martin Pesek wouldn’t mind cracking the d-line right off the bat, he knows it’s a goal he needs to work towards, and will take any playing time he can get, for now: “As a CIS player, a Canadian player, that’s where you make your name early in your career, on special teams. I love to play on special teams because you get to go around and hit people, and that’s the best part of the game.”

University of Toronto linebacker Chris Johnson has also turned heads at camp. He says he’s just doing what the coaches tell him to do: “They like to see someone who’s gonna work hard, run to the ball, give 100%. That’s what they’re preaching and that’s what I’m trying to show.’

Jeff Reinbold says: “Laval, Mac, Western, Calgary, They’ve all really stepped-up their game and that’s only good for us because the players come to us much better.”