Mitchell Blair
Every player who comes to training camp is looking to impress the coaching staff and one member of the green-and-white who has done that so far is defensive back Matt Webster.
While many players have had a solid showing at Training Camp 2015 presented by Coors Light, the Canadian defensive back has arguably been one of the best players as the team gets ready for their first pre-season game of the year Saturday night in Fort MacMurray, Alberta against the Edmonton Eskimos.
Webster, the 39th pick overall in the 2014 draft, was released by the football club prior to the start of last season, but he signed on with the team the next day and was placed on the practice roster. He feels there is a big difference between how he is performing this year and how he performed last year in his first training camp as a pro.
“I have a better grasp on things,” Webster admitted after a recent practice. “There are certain things you need to understand and you always want to take it to the next level. There is so much more to learn and those little things are big so that is what I am trying to learn. You can only control so much so that is what I am trying to do along with getting better each and every day.
Webster’s play has caught the eye of Head Coach Corey Chamblin who says not only has the Queen’s University product impressed on the field, but off of it as well.
“Webster is phenomenal and I’m very pleased with him,’’ a smiling Chamblin said. “I complimented him in meetings. I had a screw-up and he even corrected me. It was a point that I forgot. He’s becoming more vocal and he’s already had interceptions and has caused some fumbles. He’s trying to take his game to the next level and make the roster as a full-time player.’’
Compliments like that from the head coach can certainly make someone feel good about themselves and while Webster is happy to hear the positives come his way from Chamblin, he realizes one nice set of compliments are just words in the long run and that it is the effort that will decide what his football future holds.
“I have no control over what role the coaches want to give me,” the 23 year old Webster said. “I think I’m pretty versatile so if coaches want me being a special teams player or taking first team reps with the defense I just want to be the best football player I can and succeed with the assignment I am given.
Webster is in tough as there are many talented defensive backs, but he loves the challenge and the comraderie amongst his fellow defensive backs.
“I’m still a young player and I’m still making mistakes. My game isn’t perfect and I know there are many areas I need to improve on.” Webster admits. “I have become more vocal, but that’s just because I am more comfortable this year than last. You have to make sure if you are communicating that your words have a purpose and that you are helping the guy out next to you.”
Webster is expected to get a good look from the coaching staff on Saturday against the Eskimos as he keeps trying to build on what has been a solid training camp and make decisions tough when it comes to where he is going to be placed and what role he is going to have.
While Webster did receive a second chance after being one of the last cuts in 2014, he has shown his determination to not have a similar scenario occur in 2015 and that he will be a member of the football team for the foreseeable future and become a player who will keep impressing Chamblin with his work ethic while improving to be the best player he can possibly be.
