BEACH BENEFITS:
- strengthens ankles, feet and allmuscles below the knee
- develops strength in hip flexors and creates unison between major pump muscles in legs, arms and hips (*with bad technique the beach can be harmful to running mechanics)
- running in sand requires the runner to generate more force.
- reduces impact related injuries & good on joints.
- works on full range of motion for all muscles in feet
- stress relief
* Running bare foot can be dangeous if on a non-santiary or debree filled beach!

As an athlete what i can say for the beach is that its a BEAST! If you’ve ever done workouts in a 300 ft sand dune canyon or done quarter mile sprints in sand that feels like your running in place you know exactly what type of “beast” im describing. If accessible, the beach should be just as regular as the basketball court or whatever type of offseason cardio you choose. The development of power and explosiveness are big in the world of beach training and the risk for injury greatly decreases. Working out on this give-and-take surface stimulates muscle response and burn (the building of lactid acid) in areas of your legs that is unmattched by any equipment. So whether you live by the beach or you need to take a vacation dont forget to TURN-IT-UP in the sand this offseason!

WORKOUT #1
– Choose a distance to start at that takes you about 2 – 4 miles total (there and back)
- Run on the softest part of the sand…
- Sprint/Stride the last 200 yards steadily trying to increase as you finish
- At the halfway point and rest after the first run 1 x 300abs (in 4 mins)
-REST 5:00 MINS after completion of abs (focus on breathing and strecthing tight muscles)

WORKOUT #2
– 12 sprints (up hill or in soft sand area)
-25 yrd distance
-1st set 6 sprints (75% of max speed) focus on form and technique
-REST 2:30
-2nd set 6 sprints (90% of max speed) focus on power and finish
– 2x max-out “PLANKS” (all directions) (shoot for 2 min holds)
- STRETCH & BREATHING

Hamilton, Ontario – The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced today that the team has acquired import wide receiver Maurice Mann from the Edmonton Eskimos in exchange for import defensive back Chris Thompson.

“Maurice provides our offence with an experienced wideout with size,” said General Manager Bob O’Billovich. “He’s been productive throughout his CFL career and has shown an ability to make tough catches.”

Mann, a 6-2, 190-pound native of Seaside, California was named a CFLPA All-Star last season after hauling in 73 passes for 917 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games with the Eskimos. The Nevada product suited up for 25 games over the past three seasons with the Esks, racking up 113 receptions for 1,464 yards and 10 touchdowns.

From 86: “There are a lot of emotions that go with a situation like this, but I am excited about what the future holds and this new venture!” 

Ladies and Gentlemen, hailing from the depths of South Florida, our next prospect is Miramar’s Ryan Williams. Obviously, the first thing that jumped out at me was his size. I’m not even talking about on paper- take a look at his film. It’s pretty alarming how big he is. He towers over everybody on the field and is every bit of the 6′4 that he is listed at.

Throughout the film, the one thing that really impressed me was the consistency of his mechanics. This day and age, not many QB’s at the high school level have these skills in their arsenal, but Williams shows how hard he has worked to master the QB position. His drops are crisp and precise, leaving no question about his work ethic. I’m not sure if its because of his number, but he reminds me a lot of Drew Weatherford, Florida State’s old QB.Aside from his mechanics, you also have to love this kids arm. There is no doubt about it, Williams makes all the throws. When he has to take a little off, he does. When he has to drill a slant route, he does. I really think his arm translates to the next level. I’m not sure you can convince me otherwise.

Finally, for a big guy, he has some decent wheels. When he has to get out of the pocket he does a fairly decent job. He can make throws on the run, and for the most part, he does a damn good job. I have no idea why he is only a 1 star on Scout, and not even ranked on Rivals. I see that he went to American Heritage (Plantation) last year, and is headed to Miramar this year. Hopefully playing on a bigger stage will help him showcase his talent, because it is there. Let me know what you think, is this kid getting the bad end of the deal by the major recruiting sites?

More to come very shortly…

These All-Star nominations are regarded as one of the most prestigious awards as they are voted on by peers.  This team was voted on by all current members on the eight CFL Member Clubs as well as all positional coaches for each club.  This year over 400 ballots were received that determined the 2009 winners.

All four voted members were key contributors to the Eskimos’ return to the West Division playoffs.  League-leading receiver Fred Stamps ended the season with 85 receptions for 1402 yards and eight touchdowns.  Stamps was named a 2009 CFL All-Star and was the Eskimo nominee for the Gibson’s Finest Most Outstanding Player Award.  

Despite missing four games with a hamstring injury, 2008 CFL All-Star Maurice Lloyd ended the ’09 campaign with 55 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, four sacks, three tackles for losses and one forced fumble.  The Connecticut graduate recently re-signed with the Eskimos, keeping him in green and gold to the end of the 2010 season with an option for 2011.

Maurice Mann was on par for a 1000+ yard season before missing the last two regular season games and the Western Semi-Final with an ankle injury.  He ended 2009 with 73 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns, second overall for Eskimo receivers.

Mathieu Bertrand again had a solid season with the Eskimos.  His hard-nosed style of play allowed the only Canadian CFLPA All-Star to end the season with 22 receptions for 207 yards and seven carries for 22 yards and one touchdown.  The Quebec native was also a demon on special teams accumulating 15 special teams tackles and one forced fumble.  

Mann, Edmonton’s second leading receiver and fifth overall in the CFL,  has 24 catches for 388 yards and one TD in 2009.   The Nevada product  first joined the Eskimos in 2007. 

Jackson has followed his excellent rookie campaign with a stellar start to his sophomore season with a combined 804 yards, third best in the CFL.  The Mississippi native was named Gibson’s Finest CFL Special Teams Player of the Week for week four after he returned a punt for 75 yards and a touchdown in Edmonton’s 38-33 win over Saskatchewan July 25th.  In 2009, Jackson has 30 punt returns for 315 yards and one touchdown and 24 kickoff returns for 489 yards.

“Tristan and Maurice are two of the best in the CFL right now,” says Eskimo Head Coach Richie Hall.  “Both are still young and developing should be a big part in the Eskimos’ future success.”