Courtesy Montreal Gazette:

Ramon Guzman is living proof that the way to make it in the NFL as an unknown, undrafted rookie is on special teams.

And as an American coming to the Canadian Football League, that strategy helps as well.

“In the NFL, I won’t say special teams are looked down upon. But here, it’s a bigger third,” Guzman said. “You can lose games here on special teams. You (allow) a couple of returns, that can be the difference between 60 and 70 yards. And that can be the difference in scoring position.”

Guzman, who spent the 2007 season with the Indianapolis Colts, cracked the Alouettes’ roster this season primarily because of his exemplary work on special teams. And, in four games this season, he has also received work at linebacker, spelling Canadian Shea Emry in the middle along with veteran Diamond Ferri on the weak-side.

But Ferri rolled an ankle during Monday’s practice, slipping on the wet grass outside Olympic Stadium. Although the swelling has subsided, he’ll be kept out of tomorrow night’s game at Molson Stadium against Toronto.

That casts the 6-foot-2, 232-pound Guzman into a starting role against the Argonauts. He’ll be backed up by Leon Joe, who has been on the practice roster. Joe, a 6-foot-1, 235-pounder, spent four seasons in the NFL, with Chicago, Arizona and Buffalo.

The Als were impressed at training camp by Guzman’s athleticism and speed. Now they’re eagerly anticipating what he might bring to the table in an expanded role.

“He’s strong and quick. And he’s big for a CFL linebacker,” defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke said. “He’s got the quickness of the top linebackers in the league, but is bigger than most. He’s had to

undergo a learning process … but I’m interested to see how he does.”

Guzman moves well to the ball for a big man and is a punishing hitter. Ferri suggested he needs only to use his eyes slightly more on the field.

“I like his size,” Ferri said. “He’s able to close in on backs and gets to the ball. He won’t hurt the team.”

Guzman, a native of Bronx, N.Y., believes he wasn’t drafted simply because he came out of what was then considered a smaller program, at the University of Buffalo.

The school has gained more notoriety recently under head coach Turner Gill, a former Montreal Concordes quarterback.

Guzman was a fullback as a freshman with the Bulls in 2002. Although he served primarily as a blocking back, he scored a touchdown on his first college play, catching a short pass in the flat. He requested a shift to defence his sophomore season.

“The offence they ran was one-dimensional,” he said.

“I wasn’t getting any plays. It wasn’t designed for a fullback.”

Guzman started 21 of 40 games for Buffalo, making 163 tackles during his career, including 18 for losses. He also recorded 5.5 quarterback sacks.

He visited the Colts, Atlanta and New York Giants before signing with Indianapolis. Although the team was the defending Super Bowl champion, his special-teams talent shone through. He cracked the 53-man roster; one of seven linebackers to make the team. Eventually shifted to defensive end, Guzman played the entire season, recording 16 tackles in 16 games. He earned the NFL minimum $285,000 (U.S.) salary that year.

“He made the club on sheer determination and hustle,” said Colts scout Cal Murphy, a former CFL general manager and head coach. “He hustled hard and caught (the coaches) eye at practice. I think he’s a pretty good player.”

Guzman, confident in his skills and ability, said he wasn’t surprised to crack the Colts’ roster. Nonetheless, he was stunned the following season when he was released in September. Second on the depth chart at training camp, he was waived after the team claimed linebacker Buster Davis off waivers from the New York Jets.

“If you don’t get called between 2 and 6 on the day of the final cuts, you’re good,” he said. “I got it two days after. I thought I’d be there for a while, but that threw my plans off.”

With his frame, Guzman believes he can add numerous dimensions to Montreal’s defence because he’s capable of playing at linebacker or coming off the edge at end.

Notes – Although receiver Kerry Watkins has missed the entire week of practice, head coach Marc Trestman said he’ll be allowed to play if he feels mentally prepared. Watkins returned home to New Orleans to tend to a family matter and was expected back in Montreal yesterday. “He won’t be penalized for his situation,” Trestman said. …

Slotback Ben Cahoon said he has numerous injuries, including one to a foot. But Trestman said the veteran is expected to play. … Eric Deslauriers, who had been expected to return from a hamstring injury, needs another week of rest, according to Trestman. That means Stan van Sichem will replace the injured Mike Giffin on special teams

Read more…..