Hurl adapting to the grind
Sam Hurl is appropriately named.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders rookie linebacker hurls himself around the field on special teams, and is even making inroads as a regular contributor to the defence.
“You’re not hearing his name as much now, but I fully expect him to come back in the next couple of weeks and make those tackles,’’ Riders head coach Corey Chamblin said in advance of today’s game against the visiting B.C. Lions. “I also expect him to become a big part of what we’re doing.’’
The Riders have had plans for Hurl since trading up to select the former University of Calgary star in the second round (12th overall) of the 2012 CFL draft.
They acquired the 12th and 35th picks in the 2012 draft from the Calgary Stampeders for the 15th pick in the 2012 draft and a secondround selection in 2013.
Hurl has already been a force on special teams, where he leads the Riders with 13 tackles.
He holds that lofty position despite going four consecutive games without recording a special-teams tackle.
Hurl has also contributed at linebacker by recording three defensive tackles and a sack.
“It has been quite the season so far,’’ said Hurl. “It has been pretty long. I’ve been enjoying it and trying to take it all in. I can’t complain about how the first half has gone.’’
There are many adjustments that rookies have to make during their first CFL season.
There is the matter of adapting to playing against veterans who are more experienced at playing professionally. There are the intense demands of a 4 ½-hour work day mandated by the collective bargaining agreement. Even after that, Hurl has to find time and the motivation to lift weights and study the defensive and specialteams schemes.
There is even the length of the season. It officially started for Hurl with rookie camp on May 31.
Since then, he has taken part in countless practices in addition to dressing for two pre-season games and 12 regular-season games.
It has been an adjustment for Hurl, who was used to playing 10 or 11 games a season with the Dinos.
“I definitely feel more beat up than when I was in the CIS,’’ said the 6-foot-1, 225-pound Hurl. “You find as you get to the end of (the CIS) season you’re beat up too. Still, it’s the very end of the season, so it’s no problem. With this league, we’re 12 games in. It starts wearing down on you, but with the facilities and the staff we have, you can keep your body pretty fresh.’’
Chamblin is aware of the wear and tear on the players during a season. He encourages all of them to look after their bodies as best as they can.
“I told guys to make sure that they are in the ice tubs and contrasting with the hot and cold,’’ Chamblin said. “I want them spending time with (athletic therapist Ivan Gutfriend) to make sure their bodies are right. Whether they are a rookie or a veteran, I want them to make sure that their bodies are prepared.’’
Hurl said regular visits to the gym have been a key to working through the grind of his first season.
“You have to make sure that you are a professional,’’ Hurl said. “This is my job and it’s my career. I have to make sure that I look after everything. I have to make sure that I’m focused when I’m in the film room and I eat well.
“There isn’t pizza anymore. My job is to make sure that I’m physically fit and mentally ready to go. It’s so different now because before I did it for fun. Now, there are certain expectations that you have to make sure that you fulfil. You have to stay on top of those things and not get lazy.’’
Hurl’s work ethic is one of the reasons why veterans like Mike McCullough aren’t worried about him making the adjustment to the long CFL season.
“He’s a good kid and he knows what to do,’’ McCullough said. “He’s smart and doesn’t need us to tell him what to do off the field. He’s a grown man.’’
Hurl is paying his dues as a special-teams player. His reward for those efforts has been more time with the defence and it’s a role that could be expanded as the season heads into the stretch run.
“As the season has gone on, they’ve had a bit more faith in me,’’ Hurl said.
“I think they are learning what I can and can’t do. They have a bit more trust in me and they are giving me more opportunities to play some defence.’’