Slam article on Brew/Esks...
Sean Fleming can put another notch in his belt.
With the release of rookie Chris Brewer, Fleming no longer has anybody left gunning for his job.
While positional battles rage on elsewhere in the Edmonton Eskimos training camp, Fleming is now officially the team's punter and kicker.
"It's kind of what I expected to happen," offered Fleming, following yesterday's back-to-back workouts at Concordia University College.
"I go into camp preparing for the season. It's difficult for somebody new, especially an American, to come in. I'm a known quantity here.
"For somebody to come in here and unseat an incumbent, so to speak, they really have to shine. A lot of times, that's difficult to do."
Brewer and fourth-round draft pick Anthony Posteraro were brought in to put pressure on Fleming this year.
Posteraro was sent packing five days into camp.
Brewer took himself out of the race during the opening half of Friday's pre-season tilt against Winnipeg.
After booting a 48-yard punt single, Brewer tanked his shot at unseating Fleming.
"It was a great experience. I just didn't show what I needed to," Brewer admitted. "Sean was incredible. The whole team, the guys couldn't be better."
With Calgary and Hamilton looking for kicking help, Brewer could snag a CFL job. If not, the 23-year-old may get a shot at strutting his stuff for the Indianapolis Colts.
SAID NO TO COLTS
"The Colts wanted me to come to a mini-camp, but I signed with these guys and couldn't go," sighed Brewer.
Regardless of what the future holds, the Wingate University product has no plans to return to Edmonton for at least five seasons, if ever.
"The only thing that might hurt Sean is injuries," Brewer opined. "He has the leg and the capability of staying for a strong five more years. He definitely showed me up this camp."
Five years down the road Fleming would be 40 and have 18 CFL seasons on the odometer. Even then, Fleming may not be looking to retire.
"Could I go longer? Certainly," Fleming wondered before answering his own question. "I don't think age is an issue in the kicking position."
HEADED FOR HOME
Twelve-year CFL veteran Roger Reinson, linebacker Robert Grant and import offensive lineman Michael Thompson also cleaned out their lockers and headed for home.
"Robert has been here two years and we won a Grey Cup together," said rookie Esks head coach Danny Maciocia of the decision to cut Reinson and Grant.
"Roger was as difficult as it's ever going to get for someone like myself.
"Besides the fact he's a good football player, he's a tremendous human being. It's always tough. But I felt, especially in Roger's case, that I needed to sit down with him and explain why."
Grant will likely turn up in another CFL camp. Reinson, meanwhile, plans to pursue a career as a firefighter locally.
"It's sad to see him go because he was good at what he did," linebacker Singor Mobley said after Reinson's departure.
"I know he was thinking about hanging it up a year ago. I don't know if he'll try again. I know he has some other things he's into. He can work on that.
"If we're losing guys like that, those other guys that are taking their spots or making this team they've got to step it up."
Maciocia needed to whittle another 10 men from the roster by last night's 10 p.m. deadline for CFL teams to reduce their training camp squads to 50 men.
Linebacker Martin Gagnon, offensive lineman David Shantz and import receiver Devin Lewis were good bets to be gone.
Despite being hobbled by a groin injury, running back Reggie White could also wind up on the cutting-room floor.
With the release of rookie Chris Brewer, Fleming no longer has anybody left gunning for his job.
While positional battles rage on elsewhere in the Edmonton Eskimos training camp, Fleming is now officially the team's punter and kicker.
"It's kind of what I expected to happen," offered Fleming, following yesterday's back-to-back workouts at Concordia University College.
"I go into camp preparing for the season. It's difficult for somebody new, especially an American, to come in. I'm a known quantity here.
"For somebody to come in here and unseat an incumbent, so to speak, they really have to shine. A lot of times, that's difficult to do."
Brewer and fourth-round draft pick Anthony Posteraro were brought in to put pressure on Fleming this year.
Posteraro was sent packing five days into camp.
Brewer took himself out of the race during the opening half of Friday's pre-season tilt against Winnipeg.
After booting a 48-yard punt single, Brewer tanked his shot at unseating Fleming.
"It was a great experience. I just didn't show what I needed to," Brewer admitted. "Sean was incredible. The whole team, the guys couldn't be better."
With Calgary and Hamilton looking for kicking help, Brewer could snag a CFL job. If not, the 23-year-old may get a shot at strutting his stuff for the Indianapolis Colts.
SAID NO TO COLTS
"The Colts wanted me to come to a mini-camp, but I signed with these guys and couldn't go," sighed Brewer.
Regardless of what the future holds, the Wingate University product has no plans to return to Edmonton for at least five seasons, if ever.
"The only thing that might hurt Sean is injuries," Brewer opined. "He has the leg and the capability of staying for a strong five more years. He definitely showed me up this camp."
Five years down the road Fleming would be 40 and have 18 CFL seasons on the odometer. Even then, Fleming may not be looking to retire.
"Could I go longer? Certainly," Fleming wondered before answering his own question. "I don't think age is an issue in the kicking position."
HEADED FOR HOME
Twelve-year CFL veteran Roger Reinson, linebacker Robert Grant and import offensive lineman Michael Thompson also cleaned out their lockers and headed for home.
"Robert has been here two years and we won a Grey Cup together," said rookie Esks head coach Danny Maciocia of the decision to cut Reinson and Grant.
"Roger was as difficult as it's ever going to get for someone like myself.
"Besides the fact he's a good football player, he's a tremendous human being. It's always tough. But I felt, especially in Roger's case, that I needed to sit down with him and explain why."
Grant will likely turn up in another CFL camp. Reinson, meanwhile, plans to pursue a career as a firefighter locally.
"It's sad to see him go because he was good at what he did," linebacker Singor Mobley said after Reinson's departure.
"I know he was thinking about hanging it up a year ago. I don't know if he'll try again. I know he has some other things he's into. He can work on that.
"If we're losing guys like that, those other guys that are taking their spots or making this team they've got to step it up."
Maciocia needed to whittle another 10 men from the roster by last night's 10 p.m. deadline for CFL teams to reduce their training camp squads to 50 men.
Linebacker Martin Gagnon, offensive lineman David Shantz and import receiver Devin Lewis were good bets to be gone.
Despite being hobbled by a groin injury, running back Reggie White could also wind up on the cutting-room floor.
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