Aug
Eubanks ready to get his mitts on Argos
Courtesy Calgary Herald:
Wearing what appeared to be oven mitts as he patrolled his part of the field during practice, John Eubanks wasn’t auditioning for the Iron Chef.
He was, in fact, doing penance. He may be new to the team and the CFL, but Eubanks is quickly learning what he can and can’t do.
“It’s punishment,’’ sighed the 26-year-old, “for when they watch film and see holding. The refs are pretty strict about that and the coaches don’t want it to be a costly penalty.
“It actually happened yesterday. They got a picture of it, so I can’t deny it.’’
As the Calgary Stampeders look to shuffle their defensive cards for their upcoming tilt against the Toronto Argonauts, Eubanks appears to be part of the deck. He has been taking reps at halfback this week, in place of rookie Davanzo Tate, and will make his CFL debut on Friday.
“It’s very exciting,’’ Eubanks said. “They gave me a chance to get a feel for the defence, learning the scheme and the lingo.
“It’s always a blessing to get an opportunity to play in any professional football league, and that’s why I’m just trying to take advantage of this opportunity. I got the chance to play in Washington under Joe Gibbs, a Hall of Fame coach, and to have that learning experience helped me a lot.’’
Eubanks — who toiled with the Redskins in 2006-07 – was signed as a free agent by the Stamps on Aug. 4. It came at a time when he wondered whether he would get another chance to play football this year and, thus, he was making other plans.
“I was at home and I was actually about to start substitute teaching,’’ admitted Eubanks, who hails from tiny Cleveland, Miss., self-professed home of the blues. “I was keeping in shape just in case I got the call. Eventually, I’m planning to get back into school, work on my master’s, and get into coaching, because that’s something I want to do after football.
“How they wanted me to come up surprised me. My agent called me and said, ‘Calgary’s going to give you a call’ and I didn’t hear anything for three days. They called up on a Wednesday and said, ‘Can you make a flight at 7?’ I said, ‘Yeah, anything beats sitting around.’ It was right before school starts, too, so it was great timing.’’
The Stamps are particularly impressed with the experience Eubanks brings to a relatively youthful outfit.
“He’s been around, he’s a good communicator,’’ said coach and GM John Hufnagel. “He understands the game and he sees the game very well. Excellent ball skills and . . . he’s a returner.’’
The learning curve associated with Americans new to the CFL started earlier this year when he joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who subsequently released the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder prior to the start of the season.
“It’s more of the special teams and getting adjusted to the 12th man on the field and the wider field,’’ Eubanks explained.
