Jul
Watson will get his chance
Courtesy Calgary Herald:
Though his coaches wouldn’t come out and confirm that Derek Watson will be in the Calgary Stampeders lineup on Friday in Winnipeg, Watson himself assumed the role of wishful thinker.
“I’ll try to contribute on the special groups and make sure I have no missed assignments and help the team win ball games,” said the 28-year-old running back, eager to get his first taste of regular-season CFL action.
“He’s looked good,” admitted GM and head coach John Hufnagel. “He played four days after he got here and he looked pretty good in that preseason game. He just needs to secure the football better. I’ve liked what I’ve seen and I’ve liked his progress as far as his game shape. If he’s called upon, I think he’ll be ready.”
Ironically, Watson would be filling in for Demetris Summers who, two years younger, followed him during their playing days in South Carolina. Both were high school stars in that state — Watson at Palmetto and Summers at Lexington–and both racked up huge numbers at South Carolina. Watson transferred to S. C. State for his final year.
Summers will be out of the lineup for a few more weeks with a hamstring injury.
“I was kind of surprised,”Summers said, of seeing Watson in town, “but we’re here to compete for our job. That was just motivation, telling me it’s time to step up.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a rivalry.
“We’re all friends around here. Last year, it was me and Joffrey(Reynolds) and (Jon)Cornish being friends. We just need to stick together and help each other out.”
“We’re real good friends,” said Watson. “I remember when I was training to go down to Tampa Bay and played, Demetris trained with the same guy and he went down to Dallas and played with the Cowboys. Then he had the chance to come up here and I said to myself ‘it’d be something good for me and Demetris to get on the same team.’ I’ve been trying for about a year or so and I finally got my chance.
“He’s a home boy and we know each other well. He’s a great guy.”
During these past few weeks not only has the 6-foot, 223-pound Watson had to learn the CFL game, he’s had to re-learn how to be a football player, having been out of the game for about three years. Previously, he had enjoyed a cup of coffee with both the Buccaneers and New England Patriots.
“It’s hard to train for it, you have to be in shape and, once you’re out here, the only way to train for football is to play football,” he said.
“The guys have been great, the coaches. They’ve accepted me and they’ve tried to help me the best they could. I just feel good being out there. This is my whole life, basically. I like being around football players, the football organization. It’s a great group of people who are willing to help guys like me and I’m just trying to take it in stride and cherish the moment.”
Watson collected 75 yards on 13 carries in the exhibition game against Saskatchewan, giving his coaches something to reflect on.
“He’s a physical back that I think is going to get those extra yards,” said Dave Dickenson, the club’s offensive assistant coach.
“I don’t think he’s a take-it-to-the-house sort of back. But he’s going to punish guys.
“He’s very anxious to learn. I think he realizes this is a second or third opportunity and it could potentially be the last, so he’s trying to make it count.
“You could tell the enthusiasm was very high in pre-season. There’s definitely a game shape and he wasn’t there. Now, on the roster, I’m hoping he plays the game like he can, runs like he can and hopefully gets better each week.”
EXTRA POINT: Offensive lineman Rob Lazeo left early on Wednesday and did not practice. “He had personal issues to deal with and that’s all I know,” said Hufnagel. “Players miss practice for one reason or another throughout the season and that’s why you have nine guys who wear offensive lineman jerseys.”
