Sep
Calgary: Lazeo ready to go
Courtesy Calgary Herald:
It was one of those plays, one of those scrums that happen all the time in a Canadian Football League game. Bodies flying everywhere, limbs entwined, and often times someone doesn’t spring up from the heap.
During the Calgary Stampeders’ Aug. 8 encounter with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, it was Rob Lazeo’s misfortune to be that guy.
“I got twisted up in a pile, tried to play through it and it didn’t work so well,’’ the 36-year-old recounted, explaining how he hurt the knee that would require arthroscopic surgery. “They had to go in there and clean it up. It actually feels stronger now than before I hurt it.’’
Lazeo, who went on to miss five games at his habitual centre spot, should be ready to go against the B.C. Lions on Friday night at McMahon Stadium, as predicted by the medics.
“It’s pretty standard, what I had, torn meniscus is four to six weeks,’’ he explained. “We’re right on target for that time frame.’’
Sitting out practice, wearing sweats in place of pads, was a foreign concept for the six-foot-five, 330-pound 12-year CFL veteran, who had been an iron man of sorts.
“I hadn’t missed that many games in a row,’’ he revealed, “probably for six, seven, eight years, so it was pretty tough to deal with. Every player goes through that. At least it wasn’t a season-ending injury; there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I just supported the boys and they did a great job while I was out. And I anticipate them to keep doing a good job.’’
That isn’t to say he wasn’t kept busy during his convalescence.
“Your role just changes for a few weeks,’’ noted the 2008 West Division all-star. “I was there to be another set of eyes, to see things that some other guys may not be seeing clearly. Help out the O-line coach, help out Coach Hufnagel however they needed me.’’
With the meat of the season upcoming and a logjam atop the West Division, Calgary can definitely use all the experience it has on the offensive line.
“It’s good timing to come back against B.C., a Western opponent,’’ Lazeo conceded. “Any time you play a Western opponent, it’s a big deal, right? Especially the Lions. We’ve always had good battles against them.’’
While Lazeo looked on in his civvies, third-year Tim O’Neill ably took over duties at centre, a trial by fire for the former CIS first team all-Canadian while at the University of Calgary.
“It’s what I prepare for every week,’’ the 29-year-old pointed out, “to be in that position. But I definitely learned a lot every week. You always look at the stuff you could have done better; that’s what I look at and try to improve upon it.
“Lazeo sees a lot out there, he gives you tips on what to look for so he’s helped me a lot.’’
At practices this week, O’Neill has seen time at left guard, hoping to fill in for yet another injured O-lineman, Jesse Newman. Newman suffered a shoulder (labrum) injury in last week’s Hamilton game and will miss one to two weeks, according to head coach and GM John Hufnagel.
“It’s nice because, with Jesse Newman’s injury, you get the veteran back in the lineup,’’ said Hufnagel, who fully expect Lazeo to be ready Friday. “We’re not quite sure what we’re going to do (at left guard). Tim’s been working there, but Godfrey (Ellis) has played there, Jon Gott’s played there. Right now we’re trying to shuffle and see who are our best five.’’
EXTRA POINTS: With all of the focus this week on the new receivers in the Stamps’ fold, Hufnagel noted that the decision as to which of them will play will come later in the week. “It’s not easy (to get the new guys prepared). We’ll have to decide closer to game time whether they are ready to play.’’ . . . DB Brandon Browner has been making huge strides recuperating from a leg injury and is expected to play against the Lions.
