Because the signing was being announced in Gatineau, and the media there had been beating the Etienne Boulay drum for a while, I thought there was a decent chance that his signing would be made official. That struck as a bit fast, because Boulay had said just a couple of weeks ago that he wanted to get in shape first, but certainly not out of the realm of possibility.
The signings of Le Marquand and the acquisition of former Ottawa Sooner John Delahunt in the expansion draft underscore why I find following local amateur football so much fun. I have been folowing their careers for many years already and it's a pleasure to see them get this opportunity.
Most media will refer to his UOttawa career, but Le Marquand had already begun to make his mark (no lame pun attempted there) at the Cegep de l'Outaouais. In 2008, he recorded 26 receptions for 541 yards and eight scores. Those numbers placed him on the all-star team. He was not called upon quite as much in first couple of seasons with UOttawa, but once given the opportunity in 2011, he embraced it to the tune of 57 receptions, 867 yards and six touchdowns, all team-leading receiving numbers and good enough to gather second-team conference all-star recognition. He was also honoured as team MVP that year, the first time a non-QB had been given the award since 2002.
When Gary Etcheverry took over as head coach the following year and brought the team back to 1942, Le Marquand's numbers suffered accordingly. Le Marquand recorded 28 catches for 464 yards and two scores. After his release from Hamilton's training camp this past summer, after being chosen in the 4th round of the collegiate draft by the Ti-Cats, Le Marquand returned to the Gee-Gees and added 25 receptions, 374 yards and another four TD's to his resumé.
On a general note, something else struck me about this signing. We now have on our roster...
- Three wide receivers
- Two slotbacks
- Two fullbacks capable of playing inside receiver (Delahunt, as well as Patrick Lavoie)
I felt throughout the Renegades years that a lack of size at the position was a major drawback. They say you can't coach speed, which I think is nonsense. Of course you can make yourself faster. But you can't make yourself taller.
Here are the guys currently listed on Calgary's roster for the sake of comparison.
31 Fuller, Jeff WR 6.04
84 Hawthorne, Tim WR 6.03
3 Sinopoli, Brad WR 6.04
80 Forzani, Johnny WR 6.01
85 West, Joe WR 6.01
88 Stafford, Kenny WR 6.04
17 Price, Maurice WR 6.01
83 Morin-Plante, Yannick WR 6.00
86 Parker, Anthony WR 6.02
87 Armstrong, Spencer WR 6.01
No doubt there are good receivers under six feet. But if you can get a bunch of capable guys with size, you're giving yourself an edge. The Renegades never seemed to embrace that, and they never had a passing game to be feared, either.
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