Beard flips script with impressive training camp
Rookie Esks lineman impresses with his athleticism, flexibility
SPRUCE GROVE — At this point in the story, with training camp behind the Edmonton Eskimos and the start of a new Canadian Football League season in front, it may have seemed safe to assume David Beard’s character would have been eliminated from the cast.
The Eskimos made a bold move in May’s CFL draft when they selected Beard in the second round. The 22-year-old Sherwood Park native played four seasons with the University of Alberta Golden Bears, but only two were on the offensive line.
With a year of eligibility remaining and just 16 O-line games on his resume, a return to university for seasoning was viewed as an option. Instead, Beard went into training camp and repaid the Eskimos with some boldness of his own. The six-foot-five, 297-pound guard learned Saturday he had made the CFL team.
“I think that was definitely an assumption coming into camp,” Beard said on Tuesday. “But even as early as the first week, I started to realize that I was competing for more of a spot than showing up for the experience.”
Eskimos general manager Ed Hervey said both Beard and the team’s first-round draft pick, Danny Groulx, were unsure what was next when informed they were on the roster. Hervey was happy to explain it, and said he wasn’t surprised with how Beard’s camp had gone.
“He’s got a tremendous amount of ability. As far as … being surprised, I think I would have been surprised if he failed,” Hervey said. “We believe in our process and we believe in the guys that we bring in here. I think that he’s shown an ability not only to compete, but to improve while he was out there.
“We expect him to continue to improve and believe that the ceiling is extremely high for the talent that he has.”
Eskimos head coach Chris Jones first noticed Beard at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport’s East-West Bowl. He didn’t find out Beard was in his backyard until after he inquired about the offensive lineman.
“He was quite possibly the best O-lineman there,” Jones said. “I watched the film and saw him jump off the screen.”
A basketball player in high school and a defensive lineman when he was recruited to play at the U of A, Beard’s athleticism has been his bread and butter since arriving in training camp.
“When you’re that size and you’re that athletic, the sky is the limit,” Jones said. “He’s really able to bend, he’s got really good lower-body flexibility and his change of direction is really good. It’s still a big learning curve for him, but he’s learning quickly.”
Golden Bears coach Chris Morris sees Beard as a tackle down the road. He’ll be a hot commodity in the CFL if he can make that move.
“Right now, we’re going to go with our two Americans outside,” Jones said. “We’ve got our structure, but he’s the guy that’s possibly athletic enough to go out there (in the future).”
Lawrence, Sewell back for Week 1
After two weeks away from the team and missing both pre-season games, defensive tackle Almondo Sewell and kick-returner/running back Kendial Lawrence took part in Tuesday’s practice.
“I’m very excited,” Sewell said of getting his first game action on Saturday against the Toronto Argonauts at Fort McMurray.
“I was hoping to be healthy sooner, but it’s in time for the first regular season game and these games are more important than anything. Coach Jones told me to make sure I get my proper rehab done and get back on the field.”