MontrealAlouettes.com
SHERBROOKE – It might still be too early to tell, but if Coach Hawkins’ impressions of this year’s picks are any indication, the 2013 CFL Canadian Draft might well be another feather in Alouettes General Manager Jim Popp’s cap.
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“Obviously we still have a lot to teach them, not just in terms of football, but also in terms of the whole transition of becoming a professional athlete,” explained Hawkins of the Alouettes latest crop of Canadian rookies.
The size, athleticism and instincts that made both Mike Edem and Montreal-native Steven Lumbala, a pair of University of Calgary Dinos, hot prospects for the Alouettes this past May have been on full display since Sunday.
Edem, who’s being groomed for the secondary, worked almost exclusively at the safety position during Tuesday’s morning practices, and there’s no doubt that he’s just the kind of dedicated, football-loving player that Montreal was hoping to build around.
“He’s really talented,” marveled Hawkins. “We had him doing a lot of different things. He’s coachable and it’s exciting to have a good guy like him on our roster.”
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Steven Lumbala | More photos » |
The Brampton, ON native comes from a different system with the Dinos, now taking on the additional responsibilities of learning a relatively new position, having not lined up at safety since playing with the McGill Redmen in 2009.
His longtime teammate Lumbala meanwhile, continues to be a feel-good story since returning to his hometown Montreal. The 21-year-old continues to be a force, turning heads despite the heavy competition at the running back position.
“It’s a great experience. It’s a blessing that not too many people get the chance to live,” revealed the team’s other first-round pick. “I’m just enjoying it and cherishing the moment. Just trying to get in the routine of things around here and make the best of all this. I’m just glad to be here, to be a part of this organization, and I’m trying to do my best, whatever I can for the team.”
His route-running ability and soft hands are a good fit to one day be a feature back in the CFL, but Lumbala’s strength remains in his blocking game.
“That’s what caught our attention,” admitted Popp. “He can stand in there and take on a big guy to protect Anthony in the pocket.”
From the fourth round of this year’s draft, Nicolas Boulay for his part has been quietly climbing the depth charts at middle linebacker.
The six-foot, 220-pounder has put together a solid training camp thus far and isn’t showing any signs of letting up either, despite also evolving on special teams. Boulay knows what he’s up against and is competing for playing time, understanding that he’ll have to be proficient in making pre-snap calls, tackle well, and prove that he can play different coverages.
So far, the former Vert et Or product has been holding his own against running backs, matching up against them in both pass coverage and pass rushing drills alike.
