BUILDING TOWARD MINI-CAMP

As the Ottawa Redblacks head down the stretch toward their April 24-26 mini-camp at TD Place — and hopefully there are no further winter surprises — the team continues to add players.

Offensive lineman Jesse Petersen, out of Division 3 Wheaton College, was the latest addition, pulled out of Major League Football, which has decided to postpone its first season and use 2016 as a developmental year.

“He’s a long story,” said Jeremy Snyder, the Redblacks’ director of football administration and pro college scout. “I saw him for the first time when I was with the (Montreal) Alouettes, I believe it was 2004, in Allentown, Pa., at an all-star game. He did very well against the competition there. He played in the FXFL, the fall experimental league, for a year. Last year, he was with the Cleveland Gladiators in the AFL for half a season. He’s got the right size and he’s very athletic.”

Another recent signing was defensive back Imoan Claiborne.

“We saw him in St. Louis’ training camp,” said Snyder. “We’ve been working the phones with him, trying to get him up here, then finally he decided it was time. We’re trying to get guys with a little more size in the back end.”

The Redblacks also grabbed linebacker Manny Rodriguez.

“We saw him at the Atlanta tryout,” said Snyder. “It was his second time trying out. He’s a former strong safety who’ll play linebacker up here. He’s put in a lot of hard work and he’s gotten better over the year, so we’ll give him a shot.”

Soon enough, the Redblacks will be able to evaluate what they’ve got.

Said Snyder: “Coach (Rick) Campbell had a quote a couple of days ago, ‘The calendar turns to April and it really starts to ramp up.’ That’s so true. Once April hits, you’re building up to that long marathon you’re going to be running.”

The Redblacks will go into mini camp with 85 players, cutting that down to 75 by the end of the three days.