5/29/2008 10:18:08 PM

*Movin' and Shakin' *

*Defensive Line and Special Teams*

Our defensive line is an area of concern for a lot of people it seems. In
part because they set the tone for the defense itself, much like the
offensive line does for the offense. The amount of pressure that a defensive
line can put on the quarterback sets the tone for the whole defense. It
allows the linebackers to roam, and allows the secondary to jump routes
knowing that the quarterback won't have time to set himself very often. In
light of our struggles in the quarterback pressure department, we parted
ways with Rob Brown, Chuck Alston and Tim Cheatwood, all of which have been
big pressure guys in their careers at different times. To help fill this
void we were able to swing a trade and acquire one of the premier sack and
pressure men in the league currently in Fred Perry. Perry is on a very short
list of players that could be considered for the league's best defensive
player award pretty much every year, and he gave us absolute fits last year.
Any time you've got a defensive end leading the Grey Cup champion defence in
tackles and sacks, you're talking about a difference maker. The return of
Brandon Guillory as well as the successful rehabilitation of Adam
Braidwood's knee, both strengthen a defensive line that looks worlds
different with the addition of Perry alone – add in Dario Romero through
free agency and couple him with Ron Warner in the middle, and you've got
yourself a pressure defensive line…I'd be willing to bet on it.

The loss of Sean Fleming to retirement seemed logical when it was taking
place because his successor was a young upstart draft pick with a very, big
leg. The problem is the fact that the leg in question is still not feeling
right on young Warren Kean. For this reason, the kicking for this team will
take much more of a center stage position in camp than it has in the past
perhaps. There are several options from which the coaches will be able to
pull from with non-import punters, non-import kickers, and even import
kickers and punters will all be trying to split the uprights for the right
to step in Fleming's gigantic footprints.

Tony Tompkins is in Montreal trying to regain his form, which means that
there is a void in Edmonton for a kick returner. Keith Stokes has been
brought in and many would consider him the front runner based on his track
record. Keith has won special team player of the year in this league, and is
always among the league leaders in both yardage and touchdowns. However, it
won't be a cake walk for him. Kelly Campbell is a formidable return man as
well as receiver, along with Mike Mason, and a host of others. The kick
return game will be another good battle to watch in the coming weeks.

As a team, I think that the moves that we made were very good for the most
part. There's not a doubt in my mind that we're a better team having made
these moves, now all that we have to do is put it together, and turn it into
wins. (c)

Kp8