Jun
Tate: Time as a rider ‘awful’
Courtesy Calgary Herald:
All Drew Tate ever wanted was a chance, and for the first time in the Canadian Football League, he believes he might actually get one with the Calgary Stampeders.
The former Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback spent two frustrating years with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, chafing on the practice roster and wondering if he’d ever throw a pass that counted.
“Oh, man, it was the worst feeling in my life,” said the 25-year-old Texan, who’s here competing with Matt D’Orazio for the No. 3 spot on the Stamps’ quarterbacking depth chart behind Henry Burris and Barrick Nealy. “It was really bad. I don’t want to really go into it, but it was awful. I can understand the first year — Coach (Kent) Austin said just to learn and be ready to come in the next year.
“And then (in 2008,with new head coach Ken Miller) you’re No.4 while all these other quarterbacks are playing and getting reps in practice, and I just sat there and kept reading (the play) cards. It was the most frustrating thing I’ve ever had to go through in sports.”
Tate didn’t return to Saskatchewan, and attended the Stamps’ free-agent camp in Florida in April, where D’Orazio beat him out for the lone available invite to training camp, which kicks off this morning at 8:45 at McMahon Stadium.
But when Will Proctor, the Stamps’ No. 3 man late last year, unexpectedly retired last week, Tate got the phone call he was waiting for.
Unlike last year, when there may have been some resentment among Saskatchewan quarterbacks at how the roster moves were made from week to week, Tate already has a better feeling about the Calgary situation. He’s currently rooming with D’Orazio, knowing full well that one of the two men almost surely won’t be around for the Stamps’ season opener July 1 against the Montreal Alouettes.
“It’s competition, obviously, but it’s a friendly competition with Matt,” said Tate. “It really isn’t awkward; Matt is such a nice guy and he’s a veteran, he’s been around pro football a long time . . . so I’ve learned a lot from him. Before (in Saskatchewan), there was some animosity, but Matt is such an open and good guy, we just get along well.”
Yes it must have been awful Drew, all those weeks collecting full paychecks instead of being on the practice roster.What a bunch of jerks.