6/19/2007 8:16:24 PM
Last Chance

The last pre-season game is the last opportunity for us to prove our worth to the club, and show that we are indispensible assets to the success of the team. The sobering effects of the previous week’s cuts tend to have a variety of effects on players. On one hand they can be a down point and provide a quiet week of practice and reflection on what you’ve done to come this far, and maybe even how to expand on it to actually crack the roster. One’s thoughts may revert back to all of the stories and exploits heard and recalled during the previous two weeks interactions with some of best football players North America has to offer, and recapping some of those will have you considering yourself quite fortunate. More than fortunate perhaps, you must be a pretty good ball player yourself!
A euphoric feeling can take a hold of you during this week if you allow it too, it will probably be short lived however since the final roster must be down to 53 players by this weekend and it finally sets in that this could be a make or break 4 quarters under the lights of Commonwealth Stadium for you. As a player this is the point of training camp where you’re beginning to have a firm grasp on what’s being asked of you, and should you make the team what your role may be on it. The nights involve more time for sleeping perhaps instead of sleep being secondary to the importance of the playbook. It’s an exciting time as a player because for the first time in training camp, you should be able to go out and PLAY the game you’ve chosen to play for so many years instead of the THINKING which is what you’ve been doing thus far in camp. Now will be the time that the plays and assignments are firmly planted in your mind from repetition, meetings, and late night study sessions with other players and because these assignments and concepts are more comfortable to you, your athleticism can come to the forefront. As a defensive back or linebacker, your instincts can come into play more so because you now understand what area you’re defending. As a running back, you know where the hole is supposed to be so you can trust it more and hit it that much harder. It’s a joyous time!
Joyous in many ways, but utterly petrifying if you allow it to be because this is also the game that could define whether or not this dream is actualized for you. For the first year player, new to pro football but having aspired to play in the NFL or CFL since the first cleats were laced up, this becomes a form of show and tell. To not make this team at this time, could pose doubt in one’s abilities and even pose the question “Is this really for me?” in the mind of a young athlete who’s thought of nothing else since they can remember. I know those doubts crept into my head on the drive back from Green Bay for me, and I’m quite sure I’m not the only one. Nothing is more dangerous to the livelihood of a pro athlete than the presence of doubt or loss of confidence.
For a vet like myself, believe me…it’s no less grueling a process. Maybe even more callous than that of a rookie because as a veteran we’ve invested in this game as our profession already. Plans have been crafted, flights have been booked for family to come up and stay, living arrangements have been made, and lives have been put on hold for this selection process to unfold once again. That’s a lot to go through every season to be honest, so most vets plan on MAKING the team, which is great from a confidence standpoint, but the reality is in a situation like the Eskimos are in…change is inevitable. The certainty is that many of us veterans will have our lives completely altered by this game. Ironically, the pre-seasons are usually the games that we as vets use as tune ups for the REAL season, yet this one could potentially alter or end some of our careers.
Such is the life we’ve chosen, or in my case…the life that has chosen me. To be honest, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I wouldn’t trade my recess for anything as a youngster, and to me this is no different.
For those of my teammates reading this…play fast and show up. I wish you all luck in this and all you do. Enjoy your recess gentlemen, I know I will. ©

KP8