BigBlue

There’s an expression that goes something like this, ‘That guy has a chip on his shoulder bigger than the national debt.’ And while it’s not quite the size of our national debt, Ottawa defensive tackle Ettore Lattanzio has a chip on his shoulder when it comes to his size as an interior defensive lineman. Lattanzio is actually an extremely approachable young man who went out of his way to talk to people at this year’s CFL Combine. Yet that talk would almost always turn to his 5’11” 246 pound frame and how he is too undersized to play defensive tackle in the CFL. Lattanzio is a bit tired of the talk. “I've always been the smaller guy. I've always been kind of overlooked. Other players are seen as better or they’re more suited for the position and yada, yada, yada,” Lattanzio told TSN. “Time and again I've seemed to have done better than all of them.” For Lattanzio, his size has become more an issue the further he has advanced in football. When he started playing the game he was one of the bigger players but as he progressed he never grew. He would try different positions but his coaches would always end up putting him back at defensive tackle. “It's been a good thing and at the same time it's been a bad thing because coaches at the next level always look at me and say 'what do we do with you?” Lattanzio said. “I only really played interior so it's worked out to that point.” In his four years at Ottawa, Lattanzio was a model of consistency, putting up stellar numbers for an interior player. He averaged nearly 27 tackles per season, a sack per game and 1.5 tackles for loss pergame. He was named a first team All-Canadian in 2013 and he bettered that in 2014 being named an All-Canadian again and winning the JP Metras trophy as the Outstanding Lineman in the CIS. “Despite what they call shortcomings, I've been able to best everybody,” Lattanzio stated. “Not to toot my own horn but sometimes in sports I feel there's too much emphasis especially in football on size, and numbers and such and such, and not enough on the character and willingness of the athletes to compete.” In spite of his success in the CIS, Lattanzio is ranked #20 on the CFL prospect list and was the fourth highest ranked defensive lineman. While he is not surprised by his ranking, he does believe he should have been ranked higher. “Again with the height, there's a question mark. What are we going to do with this guy? At the same time I do feel I should be, and I'm not saying top 10 or anything like that, but I mean in all respects I did win the JP Metras award and that's got to count for something,” Lattanzio mentioned. “Western's lineman (Daryl Waud) is way above me, we played in the same conference, against the same teams and I look at the numbers and the proof's in the pudding right? Who was the more dominant player all-around? I'm not saying that to take away from (him), Daryl Waud's a great athlete, a great guy, but it's politics again. If you don't fit the criteria, it's going to hinder you. So I mean I'm not surprised as to where I landed. I'm happy that I made it there but I have a chip on my shoulder and have to prove myself yet again to bolster that position.” Lattanzio put up 32 reps of 225 pounds at the CFL Combine, the most among defensive linemen. He showed that he had the strength to play at the next level. He was also putting a lot of stock into how he would perform in the 1-on-1 drills. Outside of being manhandled by Calgary’s Sukh Chungh on one rush (Chungh dominated every defensive player in the 1-on-1’s) Lattanzio was competitive the rest of the way. TSN’s CFL draft analyst Duane Forde has called Lattanzio one the most intriguing prospects in this year’s draft. “(He has) cat-like quickness, sneaky strength and a relentless motor. If he were 6’4”, 290 lbs., he’d be a consensus first-round pick, but, at 6’0”, 260 lbs., he’s a tweener. But he’s a tweener who will be hard to ignore.” “I want to play football,” Lattazio stated emphatically. “Some people talk about playing linebacker, I would have to lose about 30 pounds to play that position. I think if given the opportunity, I know I can play as a lineman. I just want to show them I can do it.” http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-ca-cfl-draft-profile-ettore-lattanzio-1.263226

Now Walters goes on to sign the undrafted gems. His talent assessment seems remarkable.

It looks like Walters emphasized character over talent last night. I was hoping we would have come out with better. Rate Walters' work.

Kirk Penton hears speculation about moving up #11 to get Demnski ... thinks Demski probably still there at 11 and maybe even later They need receiver at 11 .... Durant will be ahead of Richards and Demski Defensive player at 15 .... LB or DB We can get 3 starters with first 3 picks ... cream of the crop for us.

Demski's stock fell when he played poorly in the playoffs (I witnessed the disappointment). He was playing injured so they mainly used him as a decoy. Those football seirs in the know rate him as extremely talented.

Tait says we get a good receiver at 11 Durant Demski or Richards .... doing lineman with first pick. Picking local boy enriches the franchise brand. Bombers don't do it enough. Could package up their number 11 with a NI veteran. Maybe they pick another O-lineman or a backup LB with their #15

WE ALL LOVE TRADES BUT there is no way we trade our #2 which is really the number #1 with Ottawa's specialty pick of Mateas. The chance of that happening is the square root of zero. If you want to dream think about our 2nd or 3rd picks. Great way to encourage the discussion you were looking for. Yelling at people. Lol off to the chat I go! Caps are emphatic, not yelling. Thanks for the compliment Mike.

WE ALL LOVE TRADES BUT there is no way we trade our #2 which is really the number #1 with Ottawa's specialty pick of Mateas. The chance of that happening is the square root of zero. If you want to dream think about our 2nd or 3rd picks.

For what its worth TSN-2 (Shaw channel 182) is televising the draft from 7-9 PM CST.

While I am glad we have gone from 50 to 250 seats in the chat room, it's not my style, I don't care for it. I would much rather have the full discussion format we have in our usual topics. I like being able to respond specifically to a poster and her/his specific point of view. Chronological ordering by speed of typing is fast but I find it chaotic. There is other things too and I don't want to debate what may be better. I am just saying I have a preference. So here is the topic thread for the big day that we have been anticipating for months. Let me start by saying I don't think Walters is going to make a trade for his number 2 overall pick. There is just too little difference between the top linemen. AND the pricetag would be just too high. A team like Hamilton trading up for a lineman would mean the Blue wouldn't get a difference-maker. They would need too much back to compensate. The wisdom of Walters is now on display.

When does the BoG meet next? I am curious about the rule changes ratification... What kind of a job do you think they have done in last 2-3 years? What needs to improve? Will they be running the show or will it be the commish?

Who is Ottawa picking first now?

maybe next year the CFL draft should be even later

Lulay will be a factor but not the biggest one by any means (same in Toronto with Ray) BC has problems, maybe big ones Kevin Glenn could have taken a real team somewhere

Why?

East: 1. Montreal 2. Hamilton 3. Toronto 4. Ottawa West: 1. Calgary 2. Winnipeg 3. Edmonton 4. Saskatchewan 5. BC

Whats the deal with all these international OLinemen? It seems disproportionately over emphasized to me, especially with room for just 75 in camp...

If we look at history, this only seems to happen inJuly due to an injury plague ...once management makes up its mind it takes a lot to reverse such thinking \

could have retired gracefully instead ... would have got a coupla "atta-boy"s

What would that doubt be?

Releasing Vega I understand ... we must like who we signed so far Morley: it would not surprise if Morley pushed the issue a bit: "Am I in your plans? ... Oh, OK ... how about releasing me then so I can catch on with another team?" After being offered around for a late round draft pick, and no bites by trade/waiver ... now he is on the open market for a lot less money Agent will be chatting with Ottawa, BC, Edmonton and who knows who else Any doubt that this roughly how it went down? Can you say "$90,000 1 year contract"?

Now that the official period of mourning is over for our beloved Jets, I just want to say WOO WHOOO !!! !!! Its Bomber Time ! Any body still mourning the Jets?

Sorry for living in a cave but when are the NFL & CFL draft dates?