DANIELE FRANCESCHI – Argos Admirals
OAKVILLE – Being a rookie can be difficult. It is a new experience both on and off the football field. Not to mention the countless hours spent learning the nuances of a more in-depth playbook and becoming accustomed to new surroundings. However, at one time or another, all veteran football players were once rookies. Whether you are a 10-year CFL veteran or a former Grey Cup MVP, all long-serving Canadian Football League players will agree that, while it may be difficult, being a rookie is an undeniable experience that will certainly never be forgotten.
“I see that maybe they’re a little wide-eyed and kind of soaking it in. It brings me back to eight years ago when I had those days. I would do it all over again if I could”, stated Toronto Argonauts’ linebacker, Jason Pottinger, following a recent training camp practice.
Pottinger, 29, is entering his eighth season in the Canadian Football League and can still recall being in awe of the likes of Geroy Simon, Aaron Hunt, and Brent Johnson when he first arrived at B.C. Lions training camp prior to the 2006 CFL season.
In his rookie year, Pottinger was a key contributor on the Lions’ special teams units en route to winning the 94th Grey Cup Championship.
“I was very fortunate. It was an intimidating experience, an exciting experience, a humbling experience, and definitely an eye-opening experience”, explained Pottinger.
As rookies attempt to make a name for themselves across the CFL in 2013, the Toronto Argonauts also boast a large contingent of rookies at this year’s training camp, including 2013 Canadian draft selections Michael Di Domenico and Jermaine Gabriel.
Gabriel, the Argonauts’ rookie defensive back, can relate to Jason Pottinger’s initial training camp experience as he himself was in awe of the speed and intensity that CFL Most Outstanding Player, Chad Owens, demonstrated during his first day of training camp.
“Chad Owens is like the quickest guy I’ve ever seen. The first day I saw him run a route, I was like ‘Wow! We got to cover him?’”
While both young men admit they are still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the pro game, offensive lineman, Michael Di Domenico, says he has truly enjoyed the experience thus far and is attempting to soak up as much knowledge as possible.
“It’s good. It’s fast, it’s high energy and fast paced. It has been intense but I’ve learned a lot about the Canadian game and getting back into the things up here,” commented Di Domenico. “I’ve loved it.”
Born and raised in Burlington, Ontario, Di Domenico attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas (2011-2012) where he played two years as a member of the Texans football program prior to being selected in the sixth round of this May’s Canadian Football League draft. The 6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive lineman is excited to be back home in Canada and acknowledges that he is still adjusting to the Canadian rules following his time in the United States.
“The main thing that has actually been a big thing to me is adjusting to the yard off the ball. It has changed my whole timing and my whole approach to the way everything has gone, other than that it’s not much because you’re a lineman; it’s still a workhorse (position),” stated Di Domenico as he discussed the most significant adjustments that he has made since coming to training camp earlier this month.
As for Jermaine Gabriel, the 2012 CJFL (Canadian Junior Football League) Prairie Conference MVP says that the most difficult aspect of training camp for him has been the 5:45 a.m. wake up calls and the high intensity two-a-day practices.
“I think we’re all getting adjusted to waking up early, the 5:45 a.m. knocks on the door, not even knocks, they’re like kicks on the door, and just going, going from 5:45 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. non-stop”, said Gabriel. “From practice to meetings, we probably get a nap in between but then you have to find time to lift weights, do the extra stuff that I normally do.”
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound defensive back was the Argonauts’ second round, 17th overall, selection in May’s CFL Draft. The Scarborough, Ontario native spent two years (2009-2010) at Bishop’s University where he was as a member of the Gaiters football program prior to spending one season in the CJFL with the Calgary Colts.
Entering the CFL from the CIS is a big hurdle to cover and Pottinger understands the task ahead of both rookies and veterans alike.
“Guys are flying around but at the same time we have to get better. We’ve got a very tall ladder to climb. It’s going to be a lot of hard work, a lot of sacrifice. We’ve just got to keep working it,” said Pottinger. There’s a lot of good and a lot of bad. That’s basically it. It’s like that at most training camps. It’s never perfect. Even in games, it’s just all about eliminating mistakes as best you can and if you do make a mistake, you’ve got to make up for them with aggression.”
For Di Domenico and Gabriel, they are just two of many young Argonaut rookies competing for spots on the team’s opening day roster. As they continue to proceed through their first-ever professional training camp, both men agree that being a rookie is a unique and one-of-a-kind experience.
“It’s just tiresome but it’s a lifestyle now that we’re into and I know we wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world”, said Gabriel.
As for Di Domenico, the hulking offensive lineman says he is,“loving every minute of it” and has “been happy the whole time.”
While being a rookie definitely comes with some growing pains, it appears that these two young men are embracing the entire experience. From the early morning wake up calls to the late-night study sessions, Gabriel and Di Domenico are truly enjoying life as rookies.