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1. 2011 SEASON PREVIEW
It’s awfully convenient that the Edmonton Renegades chose to rebuild – or, as they’re calling it, “reload”. As a consequence, the Renegades have trimmed their roster substantially but are still growing in their “reload” plans.
The ‘Gades have not gone about their reload half-heartedly. They have a new coaching strategy, new recruiter, new identity with the move to Edmonton from Edmonton and a new attitude. The Renegades recruit focused on big receivers for second year Quarterback Troy Pappas to build his future with: Ryan Brass at 6’5”, Nik Palek at 5’11” and Jeff Czernysk at 5’11” along with veterans Riak Chuang at 6’3” and the 5’11” Mark Lawson and Jordan Miller make up the core of the receivers . That future starts now, by the way, as both rookies and veterans have been inserted into the lineup along with speedsters Devin Morrell and Scott Stinchcombe.
The ‘Gades took a similar approach to their defense, signing DB Nathan Toonen and LB Keith Matchem. Both are instant starters tasked with helping to fix the league’s second weakest defense in 2010.
This reload movement will undoubtedly carry growing pains in 2011. The question is, will these athletes be learning how to win together, or is there so much change in so many key areas that everyone will actually be learning how to lose together? Learning how to lose is dangerous. It’s not like learning how to deal with adversity, or learning how to take your lumps and move on. Learning how to lose is toxic. Somewhere along the lines the Renegades of 2010 learned how to lose. Team management dedicated themselves to creating a culture that can replace last year’s disgrace. The last thing the Gades want to do is recreate a losing culture; the recreation days are dead and 2011 is the start of the restructure towards execution.
The Renegades can’t use growing pains as an excuse. This roster isn’t quite inept enough to allow for it. The offense has had time to learn the system. Last year, you may recall, they toiled in Bruce William’s three back system all season, only to have had this scheme prove futile long-term.
We know the defense is building around tackle Michael Bryski and linebacker Jon Delnea, and around glistening second-year Safety Erik Kyler. Offensively, they’re obviously building around Pappas. But who will this team rally around in 2011? On offense, Rory MacIntyre is a team-first role model, and he’s a fullback. Defensively, coaches want veteran Erik Kyler to step up his game and lead the defensive backfield, but that’s tough when you’re an player that has to commute into Edmonton to practice. Thirty-three-year-old Jon Delnea has been around the block, but players know this is most likely his most difficult season (Delnea is acting President of the club as well as head coach for team in 2011).
Offense
Last season, Pappas got the “error” part down. He threw 6 interceptions in his 112 pass attempts. His turnovers will abate when he becomes calmer in the pocket. Currently, the athletic Pappas is comfortable throwing on the move. But if he is ever to consistently display the big arm that piqued the Renegades interest, he must learn to work through his progressions while dropping back in the pocket.
Expect those progressions to begin with tight end Ryan Brass. The 6’5” 275lb former NCAA tight end is the team’s most fluid route runner at his position. Brass’ soft hands and athleticism create mismatches that coach Delnea needs to emphasize.
Rookies Nik Palek and Jordan Miller are both big possession targets who can run after the catch. That’s crucial in a league predicated on passing game ability. Their arrival compliments Riak Chuang and Mark Lawson in slot duties, where they should flourish given their speed and big-play propensity. Speedy and strong Devin Morrell is No. 2 on Pappas list of weapons. Both Brass and Morrell are excellent when it comes to doing the little things.
Strength is not an issue for the Gades in run-blocking. Their offensive line in 2010 had a tendency to get overpowered in short-yardage situations. Part of the problem was the scheme. The Gades almost always looked for movement from their guards, which created space in normal circumstances but congestion when defenses crowd the front.
Focusing on movement from the offensive line makes sense. Left Tackle Matt Wilson has the combination of agility and brawn needed to get to the second level. Right Tackle Jon Delnea matches Wilson’s agility although having dual responsibilities as Linebacker may prove costly. Lining up between these two is center Michael Bryski and Guards Scott Brubaker and Korey Levesque.
Three powerful rookie linemen for the Renegades are arriving for July when their heavy career commitments subside so a difficult June is in the wake for the players that will be in rotation in the trenches.
This offense has noticeably more juice when running behind the lead blocks of Nathan Kyler. MacIntyre averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2010 and, with the changes on the offensive line in 2011, should post similar numbers if not better.
Defense
So how much of a difference can the top two rookies be expected to make? Defensive backs generally struggle in their transition to the A.F.L. The Gades can’t afford for Nathan Toonen or Andy Berube to struggle. Toonen is being counted on to provide an interior pass-protection presence that can make Edmonton’s mediocre defensive halfbacks from 2010 viable. Right Cornerback Andy Berube is an energy-based back. If the term “shut down” corner could be accurately used in Canadian Football then Berube would definitely fit that title.
Defensive End’s Brad Easingwood and Josh Kott show flashes of brilliance while the Tackle spot will be a revolving door between Michael Bryski, Ryan Brass, Matt Wilson and Korey Levesque . Bryski and his counterparts are being counted on to tie up blockers so that Renegade linebackers can perform.
Outside Linebackers Kieth Matchem and Brent Medwid are productive tacklers and when the Gades need a thumper who can blow up a lead-block and make a tone-setting play, Matchem and Delnea will easily be found. Strongside linebacker Medwid is quick, especially closing on tackles, and his style of play is more equipped for a heavy blitz package like a 30 front as opposed to the Renegades 40 based defense. However, Medwid, an instinctive second-year vet has the downhill speed to blossom in the AFL. The linebacking depth is iffy. Returning vet Jon Delnea is the only experienced defender with a full season under his belt at this level of play; No. 2 Mac ‘backer Nathan Kyler has converted to focus on Fullback duties and will see minimal linebacker action throughout the season.
Free safety Erik Kyler is an asset in space. Kyler, a converted cornerback, is skilled in centerfield coverage and should be a more assertive playmaker now that cornerbacks Andy Berube and Mohammed Bangura are on the brink of “cover corner” status. Bangura and Berube have great speed for a corner, not the biggest athletes, but faster than most and they understand the nuances of this crucial position.
Rookie DB Nathan Toonen brings size to the Renegades and is naturally built for this system. Toonen will be an instant upgrade. Veteran Kyle Strap returns to the secondary and the only concern with Kyle is his profound ability to attract penalty flags in on-field conduct and unnecessary penalties after the whistle. DB Rian Strap has been placed on the physically unable to perform list after sustaining a severe knee injury in the pre-season and DB Sergio Yarwood has been suspended by the club for violating team conduct policies which leaves depth at this area another question mark for the Renegades.
Special Teams
The Renegades signed free-agent kicker Justin Neiman from the Lloydminster Vandals to provide consistency at the kicker spot. The team had six different kickers in 2010 and without any focus on this vital area of the game – left many points on the field. Missed converts, field goals and even the occasional rouge was missed due to the lack of direct focus on the kicking game in 2010. Neiman has improved greatly this spring and the veteran kicker will provide an instant correction to a broken Renegade system from 2010.
Neiman will also take over the punt details in 2011. Justin has a big leg and the Gades aren’t bringing in someone to challenge him for the punting job.
Erik Kyler is an outstanding kick and punt returner that finished 2010 with 21.6 yards per kick return average.
Bottom Line
No one expects the Gades to win more than two or three games in 2011. This season is about determining the future as much as anything. Will Troy Pappas prove he’s the guy to build around? Will Jon Delnea prove his systems will do the trick to allow for building? An affirmative answer to these questions will make 2011 a success.
Predicted Finish: 4-3
2. RENEGADES HEADED TO EDMONTON
In 2010, when the Renegades took to the field for the first time, it wasn’t even a thought to be outside of the Strathcona County boundary in which they represented. 2010 passed and the lone game hosted in Edmonton told a much different story.
On July 8, 2010 the powerhouse Calgary Wolfpack were hosted by the Edmonton Renegades at Strathcona Athletic Park. Prior to this game the Renegades enjoyed 150 – 200 spectators in support of the football club at both Clarke Stadium and Jasper Place Stadium in Edmonton. This made for a good expectation that the number would certainly rise when hosted in its home community.
At the lone game in Edmonton the team got a firsthand look at a crowd of less than 100 of which many of the fans made the trip from Calgary in support of the Wolfpack. Renegades President Jonathan Delnea began entertaining the notion that relocation inside the City of Edmonton was in the teams near future.
“It’s been challenging for our club to form an identity when the community which we represent hasn’t obtained the facilities to empower sport throughout the spring season” said Delnea. The Renegades, who practice and host games inside Edmonton, aren’t surprised at the lack of community support in Edmonton. “They don’t know who we are” said Delnea. “All the community knows of our franchise is what was written inside the local newspaper and after a less than spectacular first season we had, its undertandable that there is a lack of curiousity and support in and for us”
Demographically speaking, the Renegades hold a roster of less than 20% Strathcona region athletes and a surprising 45% of the roster are representatives from the City of St Albert with 35% from areas throughout the City of Edmonton.
At the teams annual AGM in March, a move from Edmonton was voted on by the members with a majority vote in favor of a relocation. The relocation plan commenced in April and with the Canadian Football League authorization for the rebranding of the logo held in a licensee agreement with the Renegades, team executives initiated the move.
“We will represent West and North Edmonton regions including St Albert and Parkland County” said Delnea. The City of St Albert has been a fantastic support to our club and continues to work endlessly in order to provide the required facilities and support mechanisms to the Renegades”.
This comes in reference to the City of St Albert’s fail proof offering of Servus Place and Riel Park as the host facility to the Renegades for winter indoor training as well as spring outdoor and home game availability throughout June and July.
“The staff at the City of St Albert have been great in balancing schedules and offering bookings to the team even in the most unlikely circumstances. They truly have pulled through for us and that should reflect in our 2011 on field performance” stated Delnea.
With less than a month from the season kickoff the Edmonton Renegades will officially become May 15, 2011. The teams website will be updated to reflect the move with new URL www.renegadesfootball.ca as well as the teams new logo to replace that which announces Edmonton.
For the Love of the Game - Semi-pro Football Alberta fills a void in Canadian Football
To get rich, you do not become an owner of a semi-pro football team playing in a league nobody ever heard of. If that was Jonathan Delnea's plan when he formed the Renegades, he would be the most naive mark on any Alberta street. Not only would he have a capital M on his forehead, it would be in neon and flash on and off.
The Renegades – Delnea is the financier, president and general manager -- are heading into their second season in the Alberta Football League.
You are excused if you shrug your shoulders and look mystified. The AFL is to football what the East Coast Hockey League is to minor pro hockey, with divisions all over the continent.
The Renegades, who compete against Alberta teams from Edmonton, Calgary, Lloydminster, Grande Prairie and Lacombe in a chance to be decaled as AFL Champions and earn their right to play in the C.M.F.L National Championship game between the Alberta Champions and the Ontario Champions from the Northern Football Conference.
The Renegades, who play at Jasper Place Stadium in Edmonton, are made up mostly of players too old for junior and players who have used up their eligibility at University of Alberta (UofA).
They have some players who played NCAA football south of the border, such as rookie tight end / slot back Ryan Brass. The 6’5” 275 lb receiver is one of many players that is one of those guys who still want to play tackle football, the guys who still relish hitting and are not quite ready to switch to football of the flag variety. There may be a guy or two who still has aspirations of playing for the Edmonton Eskimos or attracting attention of another CFL team. Mostly, though, they are out there because of the exercise, the camaraderie and the desire to win.
"We think we're filling a void in Canadian Football," said Delnea, who has participated inside the Alberta Football League for five seasons, four seasons with the now defunct Edmonton Seahawks and in 2009 he formed the Renegades.
"It was a logical thing to do," figured Delnea. "I enlisted the help of a few individuals and was overwhelmed by the response. Although we have not received the communities support to assist us in sustaining the $35,000 per year cost we absorb to play the game we are continuing to offer sponsorship opportunities to assist the athlete’s who try out so Football Alberta can grow and prosper which enriches Canadian Football and communities that are involved.”
"We try to differentiate ourselves from a beer-league reputation that seemingly goes with Senior Men’s Football. I wanted to bring a sense of professionalism and discipline to the tier and the Renegades believe in and follow three distinct values. Class, Character and Pride”
While he said the decision to get back out on the field was relatively easy, semi-pro football requires a level of skill and commitment beyond that of, for example, a flag football team.
“Anyone can go out and play flag football,” Delnea said. “It takes much more of a person to dedicate themselves to something that, one, they can get hurt at, two, you’re not getting paid for, three, you have to work your regular job during the day and, four, you have a family life to balance.”
This is reflected in the creed of the Alberta Football League (AFL), of which the Renegades are a member. The league, according its Web site, was established over 25 years ago and is part of a larger football tradition in Canada that is creating opportunities for the highest caliber of football to build skills and talents on a platform that is not provided outside of college or professional sports.
Class, Character and Pride are the values that govern each Renegade athlete and is what makes the Alberta Football League what it is today. “We're not trying to compete with anyone for players. We're trying to offer something that has been unavailable here and to open avenues for opportunity in our communities within Alberta along with our AFL co-member teams in other centers.”
"And we're in it for the long haul."
With seven league games scheduled in the months of June, July and August, the AFL can be called Alberta’s strongest Spring Football League. “With the CFL camps just beginning, junior recruiting taking place and high schools out for the summer; we are the only Amateur Football event in the province which also fills a void in Canadian Football” says Delnea.
RENEGADES RELOAD AND SPRING INTO 2011
The Edmonton Renegades are hoping the combination of a solid defense and a veteran quarterback with help them rebound in 2011.
The Renegades made many changes after their inaugural 0-7 season and the biggest change will see 2010 Offensive Assistant coach Ken Chapman take the lead role of the second year club. This change comes as 2010 head coach Bruce Williams heads to assist the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimo staff get the green and gold back to championship form.
"We are excited to have Chapman take the drivers seat for the club in 2011." said Jonathan Delnea, the 'Gades President and middle linebacker. Coach Williams has developed a solid foundation for the team and we are pleased that his replacement has a great understanding of, appreciation for and was a major contributor in that foundations development in 2010. I strongly believe Chapman will be able to pick up where Williams left off and add to an already solid football strategy and sound philosophy"
Edmonton opens its season on May 14 in Wainwright in a preseason battle versus the defending Alberta Football League champion Lloydminster Vandals and kicks off the regular season against the Grande Prairie Drillers in Edmonton on Saturday June 4, 2011.
"The league has their own predictions," said Delnea. "I don’t see 2010 repeating itself. If we don't win five of our seven games I'll be disappointed.”
"We have more experience, especially at the quarterback and offensive line positions. The challenges at the pivot position really killed us last year and our offensive line has gotten much better through a solid recruiting campaign this off season."
In 2010 the Renegades shuffled through seven quarterbacks until Troy Pappas took the lead role in week 3 of the season. On the line the 'Gades lost many players due to injury and career commitments. “That will happen in Senior Football, we’re just hoping that 2011 will prove to be a more accommodating season in both areas especially in the injury department”
As for the defense, with a revamped defensive unit that will see many new faces sport the black & gold in 2011 the Renegades have added much needed speed to the unit. “Last year we struggled to defend the air game due to a lack of speed at the cover positions. We have added some new personnel that address that area while we continue to build upon the front seven now without veteran linebacker Todd Clouse and released veterans linebacker Chris Locke and defensive tackle Chance Willman.”
The defense is led by veterans Jon Delnea (Middle Linebacker), 5 year veteran cornerback Erik Kyler along with second year veteran defensive lineman Michael Bryski. Both Delnea and Kyler were nominated to the AFL All-Star Team in 2010.
Delnea said it's easier to put together a strong defense than it is to assemble a high-powered offense.
"It usually turns out that way and we don't know why that is," he said. "All you need is fast guys that understand the defensive strategy, guys that bring their aggression day in day out while focusing on their tackling and positional play and you're good. It's a lot tougher to find guys that click on offense."
Offensively, the ‘Gades will put their hopes on Quarterback Troy Pappas. “Troy has a strong arm and has the ability to scramble when plays break down and with the additions on the offensive line along with a full season under his belt at this level of play, we will see a much improved offensive game this year.”
"He brings strong leadership, which is something we've been lacking," Delnea said. "He's willing to do whatever the team needs. He's our offensive leader. He's got a great arm, good speed and some new weapons running patterns for him too.”
With the first year rust off for many of the Renegade core players mixed with the new talent coming to the team this year, there is definitely excitement surrounding the Renegades in 2011.
MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES LAID IN NIGHTCLUB ASSAULT
Two young Edmonton men face charges in the slaying of a teen who died in hospital the day after he was assaulted outside a downtown nightclub.
Brent William Todd, 20, and Travis John Gabriel Martin, 22, each face one count of manslaughter in the death of Colby Baker, 19. They turned themselves at police headquarters downtown on Tuesday.
Baker was taken to hospital after the altercation that occurred around 2 a.m. Sunday outside the Buffalo Underground Nightclub at 102nd Avenue and 103rd Street.
"He was speaking, he was awake, everything seemed like he was doing well," said police spokeswoman Clair Seyler.
"However, we got a call at approximately 9:30 that morning to say that his condition had taken a severe turn for the worst."
Baker died after he was taken off life support Monday. Police are not releasing the cause of death.
The altercation occurred outside the Buffalo Underground Nightclub, which is housed inside this building at 103rd Street and 102nd Avenue in downtown Edmonton. (CBC)Baker's death came as a shock to his close friend, Aric Desmarais, 19.
"I didn't know how to feel," he said. "I was kind of in shock, I think. I think I'm still in shock."
Desmarais, who attends the University of Regina, had been friends with Baker since the two were in Grade 7 or 8.
Desmarais played football with Baker at McNally High School in Edmonton. Baker was working and was training in hopes of trying out for the Edmonton Wildcats football team, his friend said.
Baker was a good-natured person, who liked to have fun, Desmarais said.
"He was always smiling. He made everyone laugh. He was a funny guy. He was the joker," he said, adding that Baker's passions were his friends and football. He was an ardent Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
Baker did not know the two men accused in his death, police said. Employees at the club told CBC News the fight was over a taxi.
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