Some things in life are harder than others. There are times when finding your keys can seem next to impossible. Wordle gets a whole lot tougher when you’re on the sixth line and only have two letters in the right places.
It can be even more difficult for a rookie to make a strong impression at a pro football training camp. With the Toronto Argonauts some three dozen CFL rookies are trying to be noticed enough to either make the practice roster, the game day roster, or perhaps the starting lineup.
One player who has emerged from that crowd is Amani Dennis, a defensive back who celebrated his 27th birthday just over a week ago. He’s shown both the physical ability and mental makeup to crack the lineup, it’s just a question of where he fits in.
“We’ve had him at boundary half most of the time,” defensive co-coordinator and defensive backs coach Will Fields told Argonauts.ca. “He let me know that he played safety in college, so he feels like that position is the most like safety for him. He’s picked it up well, he’s fit in with the guys well. He’s talented and can run, so that’s always good. He’s good in the meeting rooms; he’s an all-round good person and good player.”
The league is a good fit for someone with Dennis’ burst and brain.
“I knew it was going to be a different game,” Dennis told Argonauts.ca. “I feel like both games are fun, but this game is a lot more fun. They air the ball out a little bit more. It’s a wider field so I have more opportunity to make plays with my speed.”
Playing in a new league is not unusual for the Wheeling, Illinois native. After a tryout with the Cleveland Browns, he played in the Spring League and then the USFL before heading north.
He had three interceptions with the Philadelphia Stars last season, one of which he picked off the league’s passing leader and took it 72 yards for a touchdown. That quarterback was a fellow by the name of McLeod Bethel-Thompson, now back in the CFL with Edmonton.
“Obviously he’s a great, great player,” Dennis said with a smile while recalling the play. “I heard he did a lot of good things up here and he did some good stuff in the USFL. He has a really big arm, he aired it out on me a couple of times and I happened to get him that one time and took it to the house, but he’s a great quarterback and I’m looking forward to playing against him again.”
When asked if he plans on intercepting him again Dennis started laughing and said, “That’s the plan for sure, to get him again.”
If Dennis makes the Argos lineup and finds his way to the field, it’s not a certainty where he’ll line up. Fields has him at halfback now but wants to play him at cornerback next week and thinks he could play three of the positions in the secondary now, but down the road is capable of playing all six.
That versatility is a huge benefit for any DB, but even more so for someone trying to make his mark. According to Fields, it’s a lot easier than it sounds.
“It’s hard,” said the coach. “It’s really about the person who can pick up things the fastest, not always the most talented. It’s hard for us (coaches) because we have to see which position they fit in best; we’ve got to move them around. It’s hard for them because they never really get acclimated to one position, and we understand that as well. There’s only one American backup in the CFL on game day, so you have to play as many positions as possible. Some players, like Amani, pick up things very fast.”
Should Dennis continue to impress and make the team he’ll fit it well. He not only likes the style of play and his teammates, but he appreciates the 151 years of Argo football.
“I like the camaraderie of the team; I like it a lot. It’s a real organization with tradition and culture, that’s what I’m liking the most.”
ARGO NOTES: Dennis lined up with the first unit on Saturday during skelly, playing field halfback. Next to him at field cornerback was another rookie, Chris Steele. Benjie Franklin, DaShaun Amos and Royce Metchie completed the backfield, with Jonathan Jones at WILL linebacker, Wynton McManis at MIKE, and Quincy Mauger at SAM…Mauger dropped deep into coverage on one play from the SAM spot and intercepted a pass at the goal line, 35 yards downfield…The defence won the day, but Richie Sindani made a great one-handed catch that got applause from the sidelines by both offensive and defensive players …There was one scary moment when Dejon Brissett leapt to make a catch in the end zone. He was upended in mid-air and landed headfirst. He stayed down for just a couple of seconds, then popped up and soon thereafter was back running drills…The Double Blue Game will be played Monday at Alumni Stadium at the University of Guelph. It’s scheduled to run from 4:00-5:30 and admission is free…Alumni Stadium will also host the Argos lone home pre-season game on Friday, May 31 at 7:00 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats providing the competition.
Toronto Argonauts vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ Alumni Stadium in Guelph Tickets: bit.ly/3TWmNxw