Edmonton Sun Article on Chris Kelley
Mon, June 6, 2005
Many happy returns
Versatility key to Kelley's hopes
By DEREK VAN DIEST, SPECIAL TO THE EDMONTON SUN
When Chris Kelley signed a contract with the Edmonton Eskimos all he knew about the Canadian Football League was that Warren Moon, Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia had once played there.
In turn, all the Eskimos coaching staff knew about Kelley was that he was a talented receiver and kick returner from the University of Memphis.
Now at training camp, Kelley, 23, is turning some heads, while at the same time getting an eye-opening experience on the talent level in the CFL.
"I like the speed of the offence and I like the way everybody is used on the field, it's not just a one-or-two-man game," Kelley said. "It's an 11-man game, I mean a 12-man game up here. I'm so used to it being 11."
Originally from Eastern Kentucky, Kelley has resided in Corinth, Mississippi for the last seven years. He attended junior college at Northeast Community College in Booneville, Mississippi before moving on to Memphis.
"He's got great hands, great speed and a great understanding on how to run routes." said Eskimos head coach Danny Maciocia.
With the departure of Terry Vaughn and Brock Ralph, there are spots on the Eskimos receiving corps to be won. Kelley is becoming a strong candidate to earn one of those spots.
"He's a bright young man, very coachable, with a lot of ability," said Eskimos receiver coach Dan McKinnon.
"He's adapted very quickly to the Canadian game."
Like most of the Eskimo receivers, Kelley has speed to burn. He runs a 4.4-second 40 and has caught the coaching staff's attention by blowing past a number of talented defensive backs at camp.
"When you line up against him, you get that impression that there is no way this guys is going to run by me and before you know it, he's behind you," Maciocia said. "It's very deceptive. And when the defensive backs are back-pedalling, you feel like he's crowding you in a very short period of time."
In two years at Memphis, Kelley caught 29 passes for 458 yards with four touchdowns.
He also racked up 233 yards returning kicks.
Kelley has enjoyed the transition to the Canadian game, especially playing in the slotback position where he can get a running start. He's also been impressed with how talented the Eskimos receiving corps is.
"I've played with some fast players, but the guys up here can really move," Kelley said. "And they're fluid, too. Ed Hervey, he's like a train, he's got moves and he can fly. They are great teachers, too. That's what I like about all the veterans."
While it's too early to tell whether or not Kelley will actually make the team, the fact he is being noticed by the coaching staff in general, and by Maciocia in particular, bodes well for him. His ability to return kicks also adds to his resume.
"Right now it's a tight race for all the new guys because we have a spot that is legitimately open and they are doing the best they can," said McKinnon.
"But the neat part about the Edmonton Eskimos is that the scouts and coaching staff bring in quality players. They are here to compete. If they do well, they are going to take the job away from another person."
Many happy returns
Versatility key to Kelley's hopes
By DEREK VAN DIEST, SPECIAL TO THE EDMONTON SUN
When Chris Kelley signed a contract with the Edmonton Eskimos all he knew about the Canadian Football League was that Warren Moon, Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia had once played there.
In turn, all the Eskimos coaching staff knew about Kelley was that he was a talented receiver and kick returner from the University of Memphis.
Now at training camp, Kelley, 23, is turning some heads, while at the same time getting an eye-opening experience on the talent level in the CFL.
"I like the speed of the offence and I like the way everybody is used on the field, it's not just a one-or-two-man game," Kelley said. "It's an 11-man game, I mean a 12-man game up here. I'm so used to it being 11."
Originally from Eastern Kentucky, Kelley has resided in Corinth, Mississippi for the last seven years. He attended junior college at Northeast Community College in Booneville, Mississippi before moving on to Memphis.
"He's got great hands, great speed and a great understanding on how to run routes." said Eskimos head coach Danny Maciocia.
With the departure of Terry Vaughn and Brock Ralph, there are spots on the Eskimos receiving corps to be won. Kelley is becoming a strong candidate to earn one of those spots.
"He's a bright young man, very coachable, with a lot of ability," said Eskimos receiver coach Dan McKinnon.
"He's adapted very quickly to the Canadian game."
Like most of the Eskimo receivers, Kelley has speed to burn. He runs a 4.4-second 40 and has caught the coaching staff's attention by blowing past a number of talented defensive backs at camp.
"When you line up against him, you get that impression that there is no way this guys is going to run by me and before you know it, he's behind you," Maciocia said. "It's very deceptive. And when the defensive backs are back-pedalling, you feel like he's crowding you in a very short period of time."
In two years at Memphis, Kelley caught 29 passes for 458 yards with four touchdowns.
He also racked up 233 yards returning kicks.
Kelley has enjoyed the transition to the Canadian game, especially playing in the slotback position where he can get a running start. He's also been impressed with how talented the Eskimos receiving corps is.
"I've played with some fast players, but the guys up here can really move," Kelley said. "And they're fluid, too. Ed Hervey, he's like a train, he's got moves and he can fly. They are great teachers, too. That's what I like about all the veterans."
While it's too early to tell whether or not Kelley will actually make the team, the fact he is being noticed by the coaching staff in general, and by Maciocia in particular, bodes well for him. His ability to return kicks also adds to his resume.
"Right now it's a tight race for all the new guys because we have a spot that is legitimately open and they are doing the best they can," said McKinnon.
"But the neat part about the Edmonton Eskimos is that the scouts and coaching staff bring in quality players. They are here to compete. If they do well, they are going to take the job away from another person."
to the scouting staff!!
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