CFL training camp preview

When you watch a team like the two-time Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes take the field for the opening of training camp on the weekend, it's easy to think there's really not much they have to do other than tinker here and there.

General Manager Jim Popp would strenuously disagree.

His powerhouse does have questions, it always has questions, and the point of camp is to get them answered as quickly as possible.

"As we always say, each year your team is very different," said Popp, over the phone to CBC Sports a week ago. "We have a new coach on staff [defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar], we had six players retire in the off-season, we cut a couple, a couple went out as free agents."

On a 50-man final roster, that's a significant percentage and it's why the Als always emphasize that this new team has never actually played together as a unit.

"The biggest challenge of camp is trying to get your team ready, to not be complacent, to be competitive, to learn new things, and then become very cohesive," Popp says.

It may not happen completely within the bounds of three weeks of camp, but much of it has to be in place.

B.C.'s Wally Buono has been at this camp thing longer than everyone else in the league, entering now his 19th as a head coach.

He believes that everything, to a certain level, is an unknown.

Rookies are unknown for sure, but veterans have their own questions as well because you don't know until they start to play what shape they've come in, how emotionally ready they are, if they're distracted, or if there might be a hidden small injury just now revealing itself.

Having just three weeks, plus a week of prep for the first game once the roster is set, means the goals have to be reached quickly.

"The two biggest things are the evaluation of personnel, and the implementing of your system, so everyone is on the same page," Buono said from Vancouver Island a week before camp.

"June 30 we play the Als [in the season opener] so you have to look closely at those two common goals and, at the end of it, you have to be prepared to play at a high level."

Out of camp, Buono says, it's important not to be surprised at your shortcomings as a team, especially when you hold the dual role as general manager.

"Usually," he says, "it's not as good as you thought."

That's why there's lot of work to be done as the season goes along.

Here's a look at the eight clubs as they work through training camp, focusing on what needs to be done.

West Division

B.C. Lions

Last year: 8-10, lost West semi

Pre-season schedule: June 15 @ Calgary, June 22 vs. Saskatchewan

Wally Buono enters camp with a couple of wish lists, including extending his quarterback depth, rebuilding an offensive line and trying to find a way to get his youngsters to recognize that a flag fluttering to the ground is not a good thing.

Travis Lulay, re-signed over the winter to a contract that takes him through 2012, is the clear No. 1 pivot, with Jarious Jackson and Mike Reilly back. Two youngsters are along to push them.

The offensive line (one that gave up the most sacks last year) could be the big news as big Ben Archibald, last year's top lineman in the league, changes togs from Calgary red to B.C. orange, slotting in at left tackle. Jovon Olafioye is now the right tackle.

Most intriguing is Buono's musing that he'd like to go with a three-man defensive line and three linebackers, seemingly inviting the opposition to run a lot. But with Korey Banks available in the backfield to come into the box and help the linebackers when needed, this could be quite a weapon.

We'll see how that goes this month under the guidance of newly minted defensive boss Randy Melvin, who won a Super Bowl ring as a coach in the NFL.

Calgary Stampeders

Last year: 13-5, lost West final

Pre-season schedule: June 15 vs. B.C., June 24 @ Edmonton

First order of business for the White Stallions is to get the veterans to shake off that loss to Saskatchewan that cost them a trip to the Grey Cup last year.

Then they have to spend camp shaking off the effect of four all-stars heading to the exits, including corners Dwight Anderson (to Montreal) and Brandon Browner (NFL), the league's top lineman in tackle Ben Archibald (B.C.), and defensive lineman Tom Johnson (NFL).

There will be lots of scrutiny on second-year corner Johnnie Dixon and free agent Geoff Tisdale to see if they are the answers to the holes in the secondary, but there are other options available to coach Jon Hufnagel.

What you see at the beginning of camp isn't necessarily what you'll get at the end as the Stamps wait patiently for Corey Mace and Khari Long to get healthy along the defensive line.

Receiver Anthony Parker, the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft, will be given every chance to earn a spot.

Edmonton Eskimos

Last year: 7-11, last in West

Pre-season schedule: June 17 @ Saskatchewan, June 24 vs.Calgary.

When everyone arrived in town for Edmonton's camp they were handed "Hello, My Name Is…" tags. OK, not true, but with so many starting jobs — perhaps 16 — up for grabs, you get the point.

First order of business will be for new head coach Kavis Reed, and his key assistants Marcus Crandell (running the offence) and veteran Rich Stubler (defence) to get to know, and build trust with, the relatively small number of remaining veterans from last year's disaster.

There are questions at practically every position, but the key during camp will be watching if quarterback Ricky Ray, who spent most of last season running for his life, can be given the protection such an asset needs to contribute at the highest level.

Top pick Scott Mitchell, who will be brought up to speed in camp slowly after a workout injury just prior to the gates opening, can be a key to helping rebuild the offensive-line wall for Ray.

Off-season signing Adarius Bowman (from Winnipeg) will be under the scope at receiver during the exhibition season.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Last year: 10-8, lost in Grey Cup

Pre-season schedule: June 17 vs. Edmonton, June 22 @ B.C.

The Riders have their own melding task ahead, as new head coach Greg Marshall and his staff, including Richie Hall as defensive coordinator (back from two seasons as the boss in Edmonton) introduce themselves to the team.

Right off, the loss of star receiver Andy Fantuz to the NFL and the recent re-injury to Rob Bagg puts the pass-catching corps under the training camp spotlight, but let's remind all that the Riders have been deepest in this spot for some seasons now and if anyone can overcome such troubles, this group can.

Darian Durant heads for his third year as starting quarterback with a battle for backup between a pair of returners and free agent acquisition Chris Leak, who learned under the best in Anthony Calvillo at Montreal.

Every time Luca Congi, who was hurt during the off-season, kicks a ball at camp the coaches may be seen crossing their fingers hoping for full health. Eddie Johnson can do both punting and place kicking jobs in a pinch.

Also, watch the defence under Hall, to see how much of the unique style of Gary Etcheverry, who was demoted from the boss to defensive assistant over the off-season and then resigned just before camp, is held over as the weeks progress.

Veteran Omarr Morgan is gone from the secondary and that'll be an interesting battle to see who take his place.

East Division

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Last year: 9-9, lost East semi

Pre-season schedule: June 18 @ Toronto, June 22 vs. Montreal

Cats' GM Bob O'Billovich spent the winter adding a key part here, another there as he prepared his veteran line up for a camp designed to get the club ready to take a run at Montreal for top spot in the East.

There is experience pretty much everywhere you look and it's going to be the responsibility of two new coordinators to make sure it produces.

Corey Chamblin (from Calgary) takes over the defence and watch during the exhibition games for the effects of his change from more of a zone approach to man-to-man.

Khari Jones moves from quarterback coach to offensive boss, and he has lots of weapons returning. His big job will be working star free-agent signing Avon Cobourne into the attack as the new feature back.

Intriguing is the move of linebacker Auggie Barrenechea from linebacker to fullback.

With Sandro DeAngelis released, three kickers are vying for the job, led by Justin Medlock, in from Edmonton.

Montreal Alouettes

Last year: 12-6, won the Grey Cup

Pre-season schedule: June 16 vs. Winnipeg, June 22 @ Hamilton

Each camp, coach Marc Trestman tells his Als that last year's team won the Grey Cup and this year's hasn't done anything. Or variations on the same theme.

There always seems to be enough battles to bring the point home and this time it's at running back after Avon Cobourne signed with Hamilton. Brandon Whittaker is tabbed as the replacement, but DeAndra' Cobb, a former Tiger-Cat, is also in the mix.

Ben Cahoon has retired at receiver, with S.J. Green tabbed for that spot, opening up an interesting shell game behind him.

New defensive co-ordinator Tim Tibesar's big goal during camp will be to work on the secondary.

Damon Duval won't be back to kick, so Sean Whyte came in from B.C. and just before camp the Als signed Sandro DeAngelis, after the long-time CFLer was released by Hamilton. That battle will be interesting.

And, of course, much attention will be paid to future Hall of Fame pivot Anthony Calvillo, who had a thyroid scare in the off-season but is healthy and ready to go.

Toronto Argonauts

Last year: 9-9, lost East final

Pre-season schedule: June 18 vs. Hamilton, June 23 @ Winnipeg

When you can bring Cory Boyd, the league's leader in yards from scrimmage, and Chad Owens, best in combined yards, back to camp, there are parts of your attack that raise no worry, save for injury.

Coach Jim Barker, who added GM to the job over the winter, does have two headaches, however — getting more out of his pass catchers who aren't named Jeremaine Copeland, and finding a way to turn Cleo Lemon into a consistent CFL pivot after one year in the saddle.

To push Lemon, Steven Jyles was brought in from Winnipeg, but his shoulder surgery over the off-season is still bothering him a touch so progress during camp will be slow. There's also Dalton Bell, who backed up last year.

The defence is just fine if it continues to operate as last season's crew did, though with Willie Middlebrooks now officially retired from the corner, that's a spot to watch through the exhibition games.

Adriano Belli has also called it a career off the defensive line, but he missed games last year and was competently replaced.

Most eyes will be on Lemon and the receivers for this one.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Last year: 4-14, last in East

Pre-season schedule: June 16 @ Montreal, June 23 vs. Toronto

This is going to be a special camp for the Bombers, as in, let's spend the time making some improvements on the special teams, tweaking the discipline and all those other little things needed so those nine games we lost by four points or less can turn into some victories.

Truly, there's a ton of young talent around Bomber land, and young players tend to find their way into the lineup through the kickoff and punt coverage and return teams, so improvements are at hand.

It's been a quiet off-season for a team that had basically turned over the entire roster in the previous two years, but that does not mean jobs are set in any way. See above for young talent looking for work.

First overall pick Henoc Muamba is going to be useful all over as he learns the linebacker spot, receiver Jade Etienne, picked fourth, will be worth watching through camp as will receiver Kito Poblah, a late supplementary draft choice from Central Michigan who is highly spoken of.

Quarterbacks regularly don easily seen red or yellow sweaters in practice so they aren't accidently hit. Buck Pierce, seemingly impossible to kill no matter how often the other teams try, may have to wear one with flashing lights and a backing alarm to get him to the regular season opener.

Don't expect to see a lot of him in exhibition games as Alex Brink takes lots of snaps.