June 3, 2016

Coors Light Training Camp 2016- Linebackers Breakdown

The first week of Training Camp 2016 is nearly in the books, capped by the Green & White scrimmage late Saturday afternoon at SMF Field in Saskatoon.

Festivities start at 2 p.m. with a ton of activities for the whole family, players hit the field at 4pm with the scrimmage to begin around 5pm.

For players, this is just another step in the installation of both the offensive and defensive game-plans, both in verbiage and execution.

The learning curve has been steep, and the absorption of the game plan may make or break some players early in camp. Each practice is a quiz of what the players have learned the night before during meetings, and this scrimmage is their first examination.

The final preview on the defensive-side are the linebackers. If healthy, the trio of Jeff Knox Jr., Greg Jones and Otha Foster would be one of the best units in the CFL. The rest of the group is finished off with great athletes at the SAM spot, and also some help from the defensive line.

Before we get to the listed linebackers currently at camp, one thing to keep on the top of mind regarding a Chris Jones defence: he will show no hesitation on playing his most athletic defensive lineman to play a regular rotation at linebacker. So, while this will be a “who’s who” listed at linebacker, the Rider defensive front-seven will show a myriad of looks.

 

Your Linebackers:
Jeff Knox Jr (2nd SSK/2nd CFL)
Otha Foster (1st SSK/3rd CFL)
Greg Jones (1st SSK/3rd CFL)
Marte Sears (1st SSK/1st CFL)
Samuel Eguavoen (1st SSK/1st CFL)
Dillon Grondin (1st SSK/1st CFL)
Kevin Francis (1st SSK/1st CFL)

Jones, Knox and Foster may sound like a limited-law practice, but the only justice they hope to serve will take place in the heart of this defence. Their combination of size, strength and athleticism will make these three the focus of any opposition.

Jeff Knox Jr. is coming off a rookie season that began with him at the 11th spot on the depth chart at the beginning 2015’s Training Camp and ended with Knox collecting the Riders Top Rookie, Top Defensive Player and Most Outstanding player awards. Knox also set a Rider record for defensive tackles with 114. Another season like this, and he will be receiving strong looks from down south in the NFL.

A player that has a ring already is Greg Jones. The former New York Giant played 22 regular season games and won a Super Bowl with the G-Men in 2012. In his second season in the CFL, Jones was named an East Division All-Star via his 98 defensive and 17 special teams tackles.

The final piece of this puzzle is Otha Foster. Many in the CFL slate him as the most underrated defensive player in the league. He was overshadowed by a group of star players in Edmonton with huge personalities, but in Saskatchewan, Foster will be able to shine and make his mark on this team almost instantly.

The four other players on the roster are all in their first CFL season. Marte Sears opened up many eyes at mini-camp in Florida with his size, strength and athletic ability. Sam Eguavoen was a star linebacker at Texas A&M, Kevin Francis will play at both linebacker and defensive back while Dillon Grondin is the lone Canadian at linebacker.