Esks.com
CFL.ca Staff
With files from Esks.com
SPRUCE GROVE – Being an Edmonton kid in an Eskimos training camp can be a dream come true.
Such is the case for David Beard.
His selection in the second round, sixteenth overall, by his hometown team was just the first step in Beard’s professional football career. Now that he’s in camp, Beard is just trying to soak it all in.
“Things are great. I’m having a lot of fun. It’s training camp. You get your first look at the league. This team is more competitive than any team I’ve ever been on before so I’m having a blast. It’s a really good time getting in the playbook, meeting the guys and getting on the field, getting reps in.”
The hard work of Beard and fellow rookie offensive lineman Danny Groulx is being recognized by head coach Chris Jones.
“They’ve done a real nice job. It’s a little bit early to start bragging on rookies, but they’ve done a real nice job competing in both the team periods and one-on-one periods,” said Jones of the Eskimos’ first two draft picks.
Beard came into camp with tempered expectations of himself and knew it would be an up-and-down experience. He’s happy with the success he’s had, especially when he thought there would be a few more bumps in the road.
“I’ve had some success so far but I’ve also had some failures,” said Beard. “That’s something I knew I was going to come into camp with. I thought I was going to end up on my butt more than I have but it’s good.”
The offensive lineman has been taking some first-team reps at left guard. He has been working with and learning from veterans Tony Washington and Justin Sorenson in drills. As a converted d-lineman, this is only Beard’s third year protecting quarterbacks.
Beard thought he knew what to expect when coming into training camp at Fuhr Sports Park. The players are bigger and faster and the systems are more intricate. It was hard for him to pin down what has been the biggest eye-opener.
“Just the complexity of the offensive plays. There’s a lot of moving parts, something I haven’t seen before, as well as the speed of the d-lineman. Obviously, it’s an assumption that you get a lot from some of the guys coming into the league but I’d say the transitional skills of the d-linemen is a much faster pace than CIS.”
When asked what it was like to square off against the defence in practice, Beard was quick to heap praise on the d-line and believes the players he is trying to stop from getting to the pivot are only helping him improve faster.
“Rumour has it that it’s one of the best in the league and they’re definitely proving that to me,” joked Beard. “Obviously, coming out of CIS, I’ve taken my fair share of beatings but it’s good. I’m having a really good time, learning lots. They’re a very talented d-line and I couldn’t ask for anything better, going up against these guys every day. I couldn’t get better quicker than this.”
Despite being drafted, Beard still has one year remaining of CIS eligibility. Going back to the University of Alberta remains an option for the 22-year-old but he is simply focusing on doing the best he can on the field. Regardless of where he plays, Beard will bring the same attitude towards the game.
“It’s something you kind of have to put off to the side for now and focus on camp itself rather than what’s down the road. Either way, whether I’m going to be here or at U of A, I’m leaving it on the field. The preparation and the execution of plays and my work ethic is going to be exactly the same.”
