Dinos take first step in title defence

Spring camp sets tone for year

For the past five months the University of Calgary football squad has been out of the spotlight, with its players concentrating on classroom strategies as opposed to those emerging from the locker-room.

It’s another four months before they can really entertain the thought of winning their fifth straight Canada West title, yet this week’s annual spring camp will go a long way in determining what the Dinos of the future will look like.

An estimated 93 players are taking part in daily practices, which began Wednesday at Mcmahon Stadium and will continue until Sunday, with the Red-white scrimmage scheduled for 2 p.m. This total does not include players from the Eastern provinces who are not eligible under CIS rules to take part in a spring camp.

The group does include 58 returnees from the 2011 team that won a fourth consecutive Hardy Cup last fall. There are also four players returning from previous years: running back Cuong Thai Lieu, receiver Terrence Hartley, defensive back Brian Hagen and defensive lineman Josh Symons.

Head coach Blake Nill views spring camp in various ways.

“The first thing is it allows us to go on the field and get the kids motivated to play the game again,’’ Nill explained. “That motivation is important because it’s going to carry on into the summer conditioning program. They get a little taste of what football is again and that it’s worth spending the effort.

“The other thing it does is it allows us to look at potential replacements for kids we’re going to lose. Yes, we may lose Sam Hurl. We need to know who’s going to fill his vacancy.’’

Hurl, along with OL Carson Rockhill, OL Kirby Fabien and LB Jordan Verdone, are all eligible for next week’s 2012 CFL Canadian draft.

“The third thing is it allows us to evaluate the young talent and the recruits,’’ Nill added. “We have a small number of kids who want to walk on, kids who aren’t committed, but who are worth another look. Those are the three primary reasons why we do spring camp. It does have a definite role and it is an important part of our year.’’

Among the key returnees are quarterback Eric Dzwilewski, running back Steven Lumbala, receiver Chris Dobko, defensive lineman Linden Gaydosh and defensive back Tye Noble.

Injuries and personal matters will keep others off the field, including receiver Richard Snyder and defensive back Doctor Cassama.

Ted Rhodes, Calgary Herald Dinos head coach Blake Nill barks out orders to his linemen as the University of Calgary Dinos opened their football camp at Mcmahon Stadium on Wednesday. The spring sessions run through the weekend.