Matthieu Girard will no longer spend his time chasing down opposing quarterbacks; instead, he’s spent the off-season learning how to protect them.
Girard was drafted by the Ticats in the sixth round (52nd overall) of last year’s Canadian rookie draft, as a defensive lineman out of the University of Montreal. Returning to Montreal for his final year of university eligibility, Girard played a key role in the Carabins’ Vanier Cup run.
However, despite his defensive success at the university level, the Ticats envision the recently-turned 24 year-old as an anchor in the middle of the offensive line.
“It’s a big learning process,” said Girard, “I’m just looking at it day by day. The technique is the toughest part.”
The task is certainly not simple. There is new footwork to learn, new hand techniques and a new approach to the game, not to mention the different reads that come with the position.
Girard has not been beaten down by the process, though, and offensive line coach Allen Rudolph is encouraged by Girard’s approach.
“He’s highly competitive,” started Rudolph, “he is very athletic as well, and intelligent. He wants to be a great football player and he’s got a high level of care about the game of football.”
These attributes are why Rudolph is so optimistic that the Canadian lineman’s transition will be smoother and quicker than most of this nature.
The drive and desire are definitely key to his success and should speed along the process, but according to Rudolph, Girard possesses an even more valuable asset in the talented veteran offensive linemen around him.
“Most importantly, he’s got a great group of men around him that work with him,” said Rudolph, “that’s a big part of bringing him along as well.”
Ticats veteran Mike Filer, who enters 2015 as the team’s starting centre, had to make his own transition when entering the CFL.
Drafted out of Mount Allison in the fifth round of the 2012 Canadian draft, Filer attended training camp with the Calgary Stampeders before signing as a free agent with the Tiger-Cats. Before settling into his current role at centre, Filer spent time for both teams at the other offensive line positions; and while his conversion was not as drastic, he’s able to sympathize with the rookie.
“Centre is a lot more mental, there’s a lot more going on,” explained Filer. “Matt’s doing a good job. This is a tough offence to come into, especially making the transition from defensive line to centre.”
In his second full season with the Ticats, the game is slowing down for Filer, which has allowed him to cement himself as a leader for the rest of the offensive line.
Coach Rudolph has noticed the comfort in Filer’s play during camp, and he pointed to the veteran’s work ethic as the reason that teammates and coaches alike look up to him.
“The guy’s a relentless worker, a tireless worker,” Rudolph explained, “he’s always going to be prepared to the utmost. I think those guys around him rely on that and really weld to him because of that.”
Girard has evidently emulated that drive and hard work in his own game, taking any spare minute between and after practices to get in extra snaps with whoever is willing to take them.
There is still a ways to go for the rookie, and he knows that, but as someone who’s been there before, Mike Filer imparted some words of wisdom.
“Every day gets easier, every year gets easier.”