Full speed ahead for Inglis
Sept. 1, 2010 - Regina Leader-Post
By Ian Hamilton
In the months before he joined the University of Regina Rams in 2009, Cale Inglis scaled Mount Kilimanjaro.
He appears poised to complete another climb.
The fifth-year tailback came to camp this season hoping to ascend from No. 2 on the depth chart to No. 1 -- and it appears he has accomplished that feat. Inglis is expected to be the starter Friday when the Rams open the 2010 Canada West football season against the Manitoba Bisons at Mosaic Stadium.
"I'm expecting a lot out of Cale this year," Rams running backs coach Blair Thompson said. "Last year, he had just finished a six-week backpacking excursion through Europe (along with Africa and Thailand) when he arrived -- and let's just say he wasn't in great shape. Now he's in fantastic shape.
"He's showing a lot of strength, he's breaking tackles and he has more of a burst than he did last year."
Inglis split the tailback duties last season with Graham Mosiondz, who was the starter. Mosiondz didn't return to the Rams this season, giving Inglis -- who spent his first three CIS seasons with the Acadia Axemen -- the chance to move up the depth chart.
The 25-year-old product of Edmonton admitted he didn't have a good off-season of training in '09 because of his trip. He addressed that this winter with what he considers the best off-season of training he has ever had.
"I changed a lot of things," said Inglis, who rushed 58 times for 266 yards and one touchdown in '09. "I changed my diet and incorporated a lot more running into my training because I thought I needed it.
"I wanted to be faster on the field. I wasn't worried about preparing to take hits -- I know I can take the hits -- but I wanted to be able to make moves on guys and be able to run better in the open field."
The 5-foot-11, 204-pounder said he didn't put on any extra weight in the off-season, but he feels stronger. He concentrated on doing explosive movements to improve his power, which in turn helped his quickness and speed.
He also feels he's more prepared mentally this season.
Diving into what he called "the most complicated playbook" he had ever seen put Inglis behind the curve in '09. He was up to speed by the end of the campaign, but having a year in the Rams' system under his belt has certainly helped this season.
"He's a lot more comfortable and it has really showed," Thompson said. "He doesn't get that deer-in-the-headlights look in practice anymore."
Inglis now also knows what the Rams want from their fullback. With the graduation after last season of Sheldon Tillotson, the U of R doesn't have a true fullback this season -- so Inglis may get some reps at that position as well.
He's willing to do whatever's asked of him, but he hopes that involves getting the bulk of the work as the No. 1 tailback. That said, Inglis -- who's enrolled in graduate studies and research -- is aware that backs such as Derek Bell, Adrian Charles and Dillon Dawson could get touches as well.
"I want when I'm in there to take advantage of the reps I get," Inglis said when asked what he expects from himself this season. "We have a lot of good backs who will be rotating -- and we need to have that double threat. We need at least two running backs because of the pounding.
"It's my last year. My expectation is that I'll leave it all out there. I don't want to have any regrets. I'm going to go all out this season."