Garrett gonzo story (note on Ware at bottom)
Here's the Journal story from Tuesday:
Veteran Edmonton Eskimos linebacker Shannon Garrett will announce his retirement from the Canadian Football League today.
The 37-year-old played 15 years in the league, including 10 with the Eskimos, being named a West Division all-star in 2001 and 2003.
News spread throughout the organization on Monday and a press conference is set for this afternoon.
"I tried to talk him out of it," said Eskimos receiver Kamau Peterson. "There are very few guys in this league with his wealth of knowledge."
"It's very hard to replace that kind of experience and talent," added Esks linebacking coach Dan Kepley.
"I just know him as a class, class man who gave you every bit that he could on the football field."
Garrett, a native of Bay St. Louis, Miss., had 45 defensive tackles, one special-teams tackle, four knockdowns, one interception, one quarterback sack and a 25-yard fumble return for a touchdown in 18 regular-season games in 2008. He added seven defensive tackles and a knockdown in the playoffs.
Garrett first began his CFL career with Winnipeg in 1995 and played three seasons with the Blue Bombers before moving to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for two years. He joined the Eskimos in 2000 after he was released from the New Orleans Saints' training camp.
Eskimos defensive back Lenny Williams is a possible replacement for Garrett at linebacker.
"Lenny has that potential," said Esks general manager Danny Maciocia. "But there are others. We'll have an answer, it's not like it comes as a surprise to us."
K.P. on camp duty
Peterson, the Eskimos' leading receiver and the CFL's outstanding Canadian, has started a camp aimed to assist bantam-, midget- and high-school-aged students.
"Really, what I'm trying to do is contribute to the growth of amateur football in the region and, in turn, possibly help the skillset," said Peterson, who has partnered with the Capital District Minor Football Association, already the largest group in the country.
Peterson plans on four such camps, the first set for April 17-19 at Clarke Park. The sessions, dubbed Playmaker U, are open to athletes aged 13-17.
The camp is geared towards quarterbacks, receivers, running backs, defensive backs and linebackers. Peterson will be joined by teammates such as Jason Maas, Ricky Ray, Calvin McCarty, Fred Perry, Singor Mobley, Shannon Garrett, J.R. LaRose, Chris Ciezki, Adam Braidwood and Ron McClendon.
He has previously run similar camps in Calgary, Windsor, Ont., and Maryland.
For more information or to register go to www.playmakeru.ca.
No worse for Ware
The Eskimos on Monday confirmed the signing of Central Arkansas receiver Eric Ware, as reported in Saturday's Journal.
"He's electric," said Maciocia, of Ware. "He can do some special things when he has the football in his hands. He can flat-out fly."
The Green and Gold scouting and coaching staffs will focus on more signings as they begin their open tryout camps south of the border. The first is set for Saturday in Orlando, Fla.
mannicchiarico@thejournal.canwest.com
Clearly Clermont
TSN polled visitors to its website on Monday on which free agent would make the biggest impact with his new team.
Of the first 2,200 respondents, 42.6 per cent sided with Saskatchewan's Jason Clermont, followed by Eskimos recruits Maurice Lloyd and Jesse Lumsden at 20.6 and 17.9 per cent respectively. Toronto's Rob Murphy (11.8 per cent) and former Eskimo and newest Ticat Brandon Guillory (6.7 per cent) trailed.
Veteran Edmonton Eskimos linebacker Shannon Garrett will announce his retirement from the Canadian Football League today.
The 37-year-old played 15 years in the league, including 10 with the Eskimos, being named a West Division all-star in 2001 and 2003.
News spread throughout the organization on Monday and a press conference is set for this afternoon.
"I tried to talk him out of it," said Eskimos receiver Kamau Peterson. "There are very few guys in this league with his wealth of knowledge."
"It's very hard to replace that kind of experience and talent," added Esks linebacking coach Dan Kepley.
"I just know him as a class, class man who gave you every bit that he could on the football field."
Garrett, a native of Bay St. Louis, Miss., had 45 defensive tackles, one special-teams tackle, four knockdowns, one interception, one quarterback sack and a 25-yard fumble return for a touchdown in 18 regular-season games in 2008. He added seven defensive tackles and a knockdown in the playoffs.
Garrett first began his CFL career with Winnipeg in 1995 and played three seasons with the Blue Bombers before moving to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for two years. He joined the Eskimos in 2000 after he was released from the New Orleans Saints' training camp.
Eskimos defensive back Lenny Williams is a possible replacement for Garrett at linebacker.
"Lenny has that potential," said Esks general manager Danny Maciocia. "But there are others. We'll have an answer, it's not like it comes as a surprise to us."
K.P. on camp duty
Peterson, the Eskimos' leading receiver and the CFL's outstanding Canadian, has started a camp aimed to assist bantam-, midget- and high-school-aged students.
"Really, what I'm trying to do is contribute to the growth of amateur football in the region and, in turn, possibly help the skillset," said Peterson, who has partnered with the Capital District Minor Football Association, already the largest group in the country.
Peterson plans on four such camps, the first set for April 17-19 at Clarke Park. The sessions, dubbed Playmaker U, are open to athletes aged 13-17.
The camp is geared towards quarterbacks, receivers, running backs, defensive backs and linebackers. Peterson will be joined by teammates such as Jason Maas, Ricky Ray, Calvin McCarty, Fred Perry, Singor Mobley, Shannon Garrett, J.R. LaRose, Chris Ciezki, Adam Braidwood and Ron McClendon.
He has previously run similar camps in Calgary, Windsor, Ont., and Maryland.
For more information or to register go to www.playmakeru.ca.
No worse for Ware
The Eskimos on Monday confirmed the signing of Central Arkansas receiver Eric Ware, as reported in Saturday's Journal.
"He's electric," said Maciocia, of Ware. "He can do some special things when he has the football in his hands. He can flat-out fly."
The Green and Gold scouting and coaching staffs will focus on more signings as they begin their open tryout camps south of the border. The first is set for Saturday in Orlando, Fla.
mannicchiarico@thejournal.canwest.com
Clearly Clermont
TSN polled visitors to its website on Monday on which free agent would make the biggest impact with his new team.
Of the first 2,200 respondents, 42.6 per cent sided with Saskatchewan's Jason Clermont, followed by Eskimos recruits Maurice Lloyd and Jesse Lumsden at 20.6 and 17.9 per cent respectively. Toronto's Rob Murphy (11.8 per cent) and former Eskimo and newest Ticat Brandon Guillory (6.7 per cent) trailed.
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