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Canadians in the NFL: 2006 Preseason Notes

Canadians in the NFL: 2006 Preseason Notes

Toronto's KERRY CARTER, a tailback who spent three seasons in Seattle and starred at Stanford University, had a fantastic chance to impress Redskins coaches during the team's preseason game in Cincinnati. Starters Clinton Portis and Lendale Betts were injured, so Carter was given the bulk of the carries early in the game. Yet during the second quarter, after only 8 carries for 5 yards, Carter was carried off the field with a right knee sprain.

The injury should have paved the way for fellow Canadian JESSE LUMSDEN to get some carries, but Lumsden was nursing a strained hip flexor and did not play.

According to the Toronto Sun, Redskins Offensive coordinator Al Saunders and running backs coach Earnest Byner have been impressed with Lumsden, and have seen enough to expand Lumsden's role to include some looks at fullback.

"We want to open his mind more to the offence and find the possibility of what he can do," Byner told the Virginia Pilot newspaper. "I liked him when we brought him in. We were looking for a big back and this guy is smart, intelligent and has legitimate speed."

As reported in the Hamilton Spectator, Ryan O'Halloran of the Washington Times is one who believes Lumsden will make the practice roster if nothing else. That would keep him in the Skins' fold until an injury or trade opens the door for him.

"He's still got a chance," O'Halloran says.

But like most scouts, he thinks the ex-Ticat's chances are riding on his performance on special teams.

Though there's been no contact in those drills yet, he'll get a good look against the Jets if he's healthy enough to play.

JON RYAN, a Regina native, is auditioning for the punter position in Green Bay. Ryan had an impressive average of 46.3 yards for the Green Bay Packers in their 17-3 loss to the host San Diego Chargers. Ryan had punts of 41, 55, 51 (which was angled out of bounds) and 38 yards. He was also the holder on a 23-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff.

According to the Regina Leader-Post, Ryan is competing with incumbent B.J. Sander for the Packers' punting job. Sander punted three times for a 36.7-yard average, with a net of 33.7. Ryan and Sander, who according to the Post have become friendly rivals, alternated punts throughout the game.

"It is kind of a weird situation, because we've been here since March 20,'' Ryan told the Regina Leader-Post. "When you work with a guy for six, seven, eight hours a day, you get a bit of a relationship and you become kind of friends. But, at the same time, when you're on the field you definitely want to outperform him every time. "

Ryan began punting in high school with the Sheldon-Williams Spartans, and continued to hone his craft with the University of Regina Rams. He signed in Green Bay as a free agent after he punted for a CFL-record average of 50.6 yards with the CFL Winnipeg Blue Bombers last season.

Windsor's O.J. ATOGWE had a solo tackle in the Rams preseason victory over the Colts. Atogwe is listed at #2 on the team's depth chart at Free Safety.

ISRAEL IDONIJE - another Canadian who will get significant playing time this season and is listed at #2 on his team's depth chart (at RDE for the Bears) - had a solo tackle in a 28-14 loss to the 49ers.

In Seattle, NATE BURLESON and long snapper J.P. DARCHE are the only Canadians left on a roster that used to be a haven for Canucks. Montreal's ALIAN KASHAMA (DT) was released in May. Burleson started against the Cowboys, but saw no action as his team dropped a 13-3 decision. Canadians MIKE VANDERJAGT and SHAUN SUISHAM, who are competing for the starting kicker job, each kicked field goals in the game (Vanderjagt from 21 yards and Suisham from 34).

BRETT ROMBERG, ROB MEIER and MIKE LABINJO (Dolphins) all saw the field in a 31-26 preseason victory for Jacksonville over Miami.

Windsor's JOSH BOURKE subbed in at OT in Green Bay's 17-3 loss to San Diego.