I have been very fortunate. In my 15 years in the CFL, I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from the best this League has had to offer. I have worked for/with Adam Rita, Steve Buratto, Bob Ackles, Wally Buono, Bob O’Billovich, Roy Shivers, Ron Lancaster, Marcel Desjardins, Jim Hopson, and Brendan Taman. I have also have had the opportunity to pick the brain of many NFL Execs such as Assistant GM of the Dolphins Brian Gaine, Pro Personnel Director of the New York Jets Brendan Prophet, Pro Personnel Director of the Chicago Bears Kevin Turks, and Defensive Line Coach of the San Francisco 49ers & former Head Coach in NFL Europe Jim Tomsula to name just a few. From the Pee Wees to the Pros, I have been very fortunate. I thank God every day for my blessings.
Driving during my scouting tour is always a fun time for me. It can be a two State drive, a three State drive, or even a four state drive. I started with a four State drive going through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana. Then it was a couple of 2 State drives-Indiana to Kentucky, Kentucky to Tennessee, and Tennesee to Georgia. Then a 3 State drive starting in Georgia through South Carolina then through North Carolina. Then driving through Virginia, the District of Columbia, ending up in Maryland. My last drive started in Maryland, through the state of Delaware to Philadelphia, PA. This is the life of a scout. I log hundreds of miles on the road, packing & unpacking, from hotel to hotel. Many times I would love to stop and check out the sites. When I drove through D.C. seeing the Washington Monument with its scaffolding surrounding it for repairs from the August 23, 2011 earthquake, which incidentally I felt while eating lunch in New York City, or the United States Capitol building I surely wanted to stop to do some site seeing. But the practice of the Ravens in their stadium was calling that afternoon so there was no time for that. It was just cool to drive by them on I-95 to see the things you see on TV all the time.
The Baltimore Ravens practice was at M & T Bank Stadium and the Ravens provided me with a sideline pass to scout it. Getting close to the reigning Super Bowl champs was very cool. The stadium wasn’t full but there were approximately 25,000 fans attending the practice. It certainly was an electric atmosphere and my vantage point could not have been better.
While walking in the end zone to get a better look at a drill one of Baltimore’s finest said to me “I haven’t seen one of those hats around here for years. Police Officer Edward Jones knew the Roughriders logo from attending CFL games when the Baltimore Stallions existed. Edward mentioned how much he liked the Canadian game and attended games with his family. I appreciated the comments a great deal. The CFL is a great League and Mr. Jones certainly reminded me of that. It was nice to meet Officer Jones!
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I attended practice at the Eagles Nova Care Complex. The Eagles complex is located in South Philly. This is the first year at their home complex. The Eagles previously help camp in Bethlehem, PA at Lehigh University where I visited several times.
End of the Eagles practice. Lincoln Financial Field in the background
I ran into a former Eagles employee and current Ottawa RedBlacks College/Pro Scout Jeremy Snyder.
Me with Jeremy Snyder of the Ottawa RedBlacks
I am so happy Ottawa is back in the CFL. When I was a kid growing up it was a 9 team League and it will be a 9 team League once again in 2014. Now wouldn’t it be great if we can get a franchise in the Maritimes!
Game Day in Philadelphia
Prior to the game I had an opportunity to go for lunch with Steve Goldman, who was a Guest Coach at our training camp in Saskatoon. Steve is a veteran of the CFL. He has coached with 5 teams in our League and has worked with Damon Allen, Matt Dunigan, and Tracy Ham. He also coached the Riders in the 80s coaching both Kent Austin and Tom Burgess. He also had our Offensive Co-Ordinator George Cortez on his staff in Ottawa.
Steve Goldman, his wife Donna, and me
Scouting at Lincoln Financial Field
Next stop, The Meadowlands!
In two weeks I get home! Then I get to see our Riders in the Labour Day Classic. Can’t wait to see the Sea of Green!
CAN’T WAIT!!!
