Veteran Beltre brings his `edge' to Redblacks
Cites `tricks and techniques I know that I didn't know four years ago'
Frank Beltre is all about family, it's the vibe he's already getting after less than two weeks in Ottawa Redblacks training camp.
The whole sports/family culture brings to mind Sister Sledge, We Are Family, the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates and the whole '70s music thing.
Back on topic, the 31-year-old Dominican-born Beltre is fitting in on the Redblacks' defensive line, finding his way and trying to take his game up a notch in 2021.
“I love the atmosphere here. I know it sounds cliché. but this team is growing into a family,” said Beltre during a Zoom media call. “This is a football team, it's not track, you can't do anything by yourself. This isn't the same team it was in 2019. I've been on championship teams, I have that same feeling here. Everybody cares about winning, everybody cares about helping the guy in front of you. Everybody's trusting the coaching system, that's important. I'm extremely happy to be here.”
Beltre has been with several teams since joining the San Diego Chargers in 2013. His resumé also includes the Oakland Raiders (2014), Calgary Stampeders (20142016), New York Jets (2017) and Toronto Argonauts (2018-2019). In five seasons in the CFL, Beltre has 70 defensive tackles, 40 special teams tackles, five sacks and has forced three fumbles. In 2018, as an Argo, he made 35 defensive tackles. In 2019, Beltre, who was asked to play a different role in Toronto, made 27 special teams tackles. So will he contribute to the Redblacks on the defensive side of the ball, on specials, or both?
“Honestly, 2019, that was a role, it was almost like it was the only role open for me to play,” he said. “I love playing football. I'm at a stage where I need to find great coaches, that's what I'm getting here — coaches I want to play for, coaches who have the same love for the game I have. In Toronto, I trusted the coaches; whatever the coaches need, that's what I'm going to do to the best of my ability.”
I give everything I’ve got, that’s the only way I know how to play. They have not seen the best of me, not yet.
Asked what fans can expect from him this season, Beltre said: “Aggressiveness, intensity, they can expect a lot out of me. I give everything I've got, that's the only way I know how to play. They have not seen the best of me, not yet. With all the experience I have, I think I have an edge now, the game has slowed down a lot for me — on defence and special teams. There are tricks and techniques I know that I didn't know four years ago.”
Able to make an impact on the football field, he also branched out during his time away from the CFL. He competed in Season 5 of a reality competition show — Spanish TV hit, Exatlon.
“Every time I came home and talked to my mom and my niece (Samantha) and everybody, they would always just put me to the side,” said Beltre. “I was like, ` What are you guys watching?' I almost got sick of it. I was like, `You know what? I'm not even coming by here anymore.' I'm like, `Man, that looks so easy, I feel like I could do this.' My niece and me like to challenge each other. She goes, `Oh, yeah, I bet you can't do it.' I said, `Sign me up.'”
So she did. Beltre competed, got through a round, then told the show's producers he would have to leave early to play football in Canada.
“My goal was to not be the first one eliminated,” he said.
THE COACH SAYS: On paper, it looks like the Redblacks are stacked at defensive line. With Avery Ellis returning from 2019, Ottawa has added veterans like Cleyon Laing, Davon Coleman, Stefan Charles and Frank Beltre. Others — guys like Stansly Maponga, Ese Mrabure-Ajufo, Reshaan Davis and Kene Onyeke — are stepping up in camp, giving the unit plenty of talent and depth.
“All of them are doing some good things, we're heading in the right direction,” said defensive line coach Carey Bailey. “There are always going to be things you like, there are always going to be things you dislike. There have been some highs, there have some lows. We're on task to be where we need to be. We take it one day at a time and try to progress each day.”
The CFL's cancellation of the 2020 schedule makes this training camp — and season — unique in many ways. The players have to get back up to speed quickly.
Said Bailey: “This year isn't like any other. A lot of these guys are coming in after not touching anything football-related from an onthe-field standpoint in 18 months. The biggest thing for us was making sure we paid attention to their load in terms of reps. Then after we went through that, we're just now getting back on track to booting up the load, booting up the stamina and going about it the right way trying to reduce the potential for injuries. Being off 18 months and not having any opposite competition, that's why each rep is critical, each day is critical. The first time we go up against an opponent is real. We have to make sure we practise with that mindset.”
THE END AROUND: The Redblacks will allow season-ticket holders into the north stands to watch Saturday's intersquad game. A ticket is required. They're expecting about 900 people to be on a hand. There will be beer and snacks for sale ... With several offensive linemen already sitting out, the Redblacks may have lost a couple of more: Ben Petrie and Ketel Asse both left the field Wednesday. WR Shannon Smith, who was released Monday, has been brought back.