Courtesy Calgary Herald:

Quarterback Ricky Ray expects to feel the football equivalent of “puck shy” the first time he stands under centre for the Edmonton Eskimos this season.

After seven months of rehabilitation, Ray figures his separated throwing shoulder is back at full strength. But the 28-year-old quarterback has no idea how his wounded wing will respond when the Eskimos open the CFL season on June 28 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“I think I’ll be a little bit anxious getting that first hit — just getting it out of the way,” Ray said Tuesday during a media conference call to discuss the state of the franchise in the lead-up to training camp.

“But, really, when you’re out there playing football, you’re not thinking about getting hurt. You’re not thinking about how things are going to hold up. But I think once I get that first hit out of the way, I’ll be fine.”

The Eskimos hope so, especially considering the frustrations of a city fed up with the local football club finishing out of the playoffs the past two years.

The heat is on, and head coach Danny Maciocia has given his team a massive winter facelift in hopes of generating immediate results in the win column.

Gone are the likes of kicker Sean Fleming (retired), fullback Mike Maurer (retired), tailback Tyler Ebell (traded), tailback Mike Bradley (retired) and cornerback Omarr Morgan (released).

The list of newcomers is headlined by defensive end Fred Perry, cornerback Jordan Younger, wideout Brock Ralph, centre John Comiskey, defensive tackle Dario Romero, offensive tackle Garrick Jones and quarterback Jason Maas.

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