Evan Daum
Edmonton Journal
Peter Thiel couldn’t ask for a better matchup when it comes to his Canadian Football League debut this Friday.
When the first-year Edmonton Eskimo fullback steps onto the Commonwealth Stadium turf later this week against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, he’ll be making his pro debut against his hometown team.
“Obviously, if you grow up in Saskatchewan, you grow up a Rider fan,” Thiel said Monday after practice.
“As I was in the CIS and started looking at my friends who had graduated and were playing on CFL teams, I kind of became a fan of the league more than just Saskatchewan.
“Playing against Saskatchewan will be fun. It’s interesting that it’s my first CFL game against them. I know quite a few guys on that team, so it’ll be fun to go up against them.”
The University of Saskatchewan product and Regina native will get his shot to put on the Green and Gold of the Eskimos for the first time against the Riders, after fellow fullback Evan Harrington – who drew into the lineup July 26 for the injured Mathieu Bertrand – was released late last week.
“It’s always tough to see guys go. Unfortunately, that’s kind of the nature of the league – there’s a lot of turnover in the CFL,” Thiel said. “In a way it’s very bittersweet. I liked Evan. He was a great guy, but I guess that’s just how the league is.”
With Bertrand now on the nine-game injured list with a groin injury and Harrington no longer in the picture, head coach Kavis Reed is confident that Thiel, who played linebacker in university, can get the job done.
“We’ve done a very good job in modifying the package that Peter will be a part of and Peter is a very intelligent young man in football and in life. He works very hard, he’s in studying, he’s working extra with coach (Crandell), so I think he’ll be able to grasp what we’re asking him to do,” Reed said.
While the learning curve remains steep for Thiel, he feels ready to make his pro debut at a position that’s still very new to him.
A standout at the linebacker position with the U of S Huskies, where he had 42 tackles in six games in 2010, Thiel’s athletic prowess has allowed him to make a rapid transition to the offensive side of the ball.
“Having only played it now for two months, I’m starting to feel a lot more comfortable in the backfield,” Thiel said. “Seeing the defence from the other side of the ball and just changing my play to suit the position.
“It was a little bit of a slow battle at the start. I really had no idea what I was doing, but as I progressed, got in the film room, talked to Mathieu, I’m a lot more comfortable now, to say the least.”
Having Bertrand, the Esks’ longest tenured player, at his disposal has been key for Thiel as he moves to his new home on the football field.
“There’s no way that I would’ve progressed to the level that I am now without Mathieu,” Thiel said. “Obviously, it’s unfortunate he’s out now with an injury, but still he’s able to mentor me and coach me from the sidelines during practice, so it’s a fantastic resource.”
As for Bertrand’s message, the nine-year pro has been keeping it simple, as he’s tried to help Thiel – who is 11 years Bertrand’s junior – adapt.
“Just keep working hard. He’s been working hard since training camp here and he’s been doing well, so the only advice is just keep doing what he’s doing,” Bertrand said.
With lots of work yet to be done both on and off the football field ahead of the Riders coming to town, Thiel knows nothing will be guaranteed when he and his teammates step on the field Friday, except for maybe one thing.
“It’s exciting. I’m sure I’ll be a lot more amped up about it as the week progresses,” Thiel said.
“I’ve heard that when Saskatchewan plays in Edmonton and Calgary it’s like a neutral site stadium, so it should be good and loud.”
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