Wednesday, June 09, 2004

Rens face the real deal Wednesday night

Last week they had the run of the field, as the Renegades defeated the Montreal Alouettes in the first exhibition game of the pre season. Tonight should be a little different for the return match in Montreal. For Tonight the Rens will see Anthony Calvillo, AC sat out last week’s game as Don Matthews turn the ball over to the understudies to see who was ready to move up to the number two spot.

And for the aspirants for back field positions on the defense this could be the final exam at the hand of a strict professor. It’s expected that Calvillo will be given the bulk of the work in the final pre season game for both teams as Montreal tries to smooth out the kinks of the pre season.

Two of the five Defensive backfield positions are still up for grabs; Serge Sejour, Tierre Sams, Donald Ruiz and Dave Donaldson are all in the hunt for the final two spots on the regular season starting roster. Though waiting in the wings as possible replacements are players coming back from injury or from the NFL camps. AS usual for the CFL, a player is really always fighting for a job whether it’s the pre-season, mid season or heading for the playoffs.

The Renegade coaching staff will be watching some other areas as well, trying to decide on which player will back up starting QB Kerry Josephs. Tonight will be the final chance for someone to step up and claim that job. As well the kicking game is wide open in the nation's capital, as the Renegades look for a consistent addition to the kicking positions.

With the pre season almost to an end the Renegades and Alouettes prepare for the long march back to Lansdowne Park in late November. Montreal has to be considered the favorite once again to come out of the East with a Grey Cup berth, while Ottawa would like nothing better than to finish off the season with a Grey Cup match in their own park. How the players wrap up the pre season will go a long way to deciding which ones get to go on the journey.

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