Entering his 16th CFL season, there are plenty of things Gene Makowsky still loves about pro football.
Training camp isn't one of them.
"It's a necessary evil," the Saskatchewan Roughriders veteran offensive lineman lamented Friday. "If I could just take a pill and wake up a little later (when camp is over), I think I'd like that."
Makowsky, 37, and all other CFL veterans officially report to their respective teams Saturday. Training camp - and the dreaded two-a-day workouts - start Sunday.
"It's certainly not the most fun time of year, especially for the line," the five-time CFL all-star said. "Quarterbacks have those jerseys on so they can't get touched but we go at it like it was a game pretty much every day so it's very physically and mentally taxing.
"The games are what you look forward to during the season so training camp is something you just have to get through to get to that point."
One of the reasons players hate camp is the monotony. Before long, the days all meld into one, starting with an early breakfast, then off to get taped and prepare for a morning practice. Then there's lunch, maybe a position meeting before getting taped again for an afternoon workout. After dinner there are more meetings before lights out.
Plain and simple, it's a grind, especially for a veteran who must again prove he can still play a young man's game.
"That's part of pro football," he said. "When you sign up you realize you have to do it and you still have to prove you can still play and training camp is part of that."
That's not to say it's all work and no play. Players are always looking for different ways to break the routine and often do so by having rookies sing their school fight song for their meal or plotting practical jokes on unsuspecting teammates.
"To get through the days you need to have a little bit of fun," Makowsky said with a chuckle.
But for the six-foot-three, 300-pound Makowsky and the Roughriders, the start of camp will also mercifully close the book on a bittersweet 2009 campaign.
Saskatchewan finished atop the West Division standings for the first time since 1976 and advanced to its second Grey Cup appearance since 2007. But the Riders' magical season ended in heartbreak as the club lost 28-27 decision to Montreal.
The Riders seemed to have the game won when Montreal's Damon Duval missed a 43-yard field goal as time expired. However, Saskatchewan was flagged for having 13 men on the field, giving Duval a second shot at the winning boot. He converted from 33 yards, giving the Alouettes the improbable victory.
"I'm sure, especially in Saskatchewan, that game will be talked about for years and years," Makowsky said. "But that's all in the past and with camp opening we're looking to the future and the 2010 Grey Cup hopefully."
The '09 Grey Cup also helped dictate Makowsky's football future. Had the Riders won, Makowsky would've seriously pondered retirement but added leaving the game on such a disappointing note wasn't an option.
"It made (coming back) quite a bit easier," he said. "You get that bad taste in your mouth and you don't want to end on that note.
"I still have it in me to still go out and compete. I can't imagine anything I will do in the future that will compare to playing football and getting that adrenaline fix."
Fortunately, the Riders return a veteran-laden squad in 2010 but will have to replace defensive ends John Chick (Indianapolis Colts) and Stevie Baggs (Arizona Cardinals) and defensive back Eddie Davis (retirement). Saskatchewan lost punter Jamie Boreham (trade, Toronto) but landed former Argos kick-returner Dominique Dorsey in free agency.
Here's a look at the other seven CFL teams heading into training camp.
WEST DIVISION
B.C. Lions
Offensive lineman Jason Jimenez, quarterback Buck Pierce and linebacker Javier Glatt (both released) are gone while safety Barron Miles (CFL-high eight interceptions) retired to become a coach with the club. Fullback Rolly Lumbala (NFL, Miami) and rush end Ricky Foley (NFL, Seattle) leave big holes. Quarterback Casey Printers became the starter late last year and should benefit from a full camp. Veterans Geroy Simon and Paris Jackson are solid receivers while B.C. also added former 1,000-yard receiver Derick Armstrong and hard-running tailback Jamal Robertson. Cornerback Davis Sanchez returns home in his 10th CFL season.
Calgary Stampeders
Questions linger about the Stampeders. Offensive co-ordinator George Cortez left to join the Buffalo Bills while kicker Sandro DeAngelis (free agent, Hamilton), offensive lineman Dimitri Tsoumpas (NFL's Miami Dolphins) and receiver Jeremaine Copeland (traded to Toronto) are gone while receiver Markus Howell, offensive lineman Jeff Pilon, defensive lineman Jim Davis and receiver Brett Ralph all retired. Quarterback Henry Burris still runs a potent offence that features CFL rushing leader Joffrey Reynolds but receivers Ken-Yon Rambo and Ryan Thelwell are both coming off season-ending injuries.
Edmonton Eskimos
Sophomore head coach Richie Hall will also serve as defensive co-ordinator, a post he held with Saskatchewan before coming to Edmonton. But the biggest off-season news was releasing Canadian tailback Jesse Lumsden, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in his first game with the Eskimos. Rookie Arkee Whitlock (1,293 yards) stepped in admirably. CFL passing leader Ricky Ray (4,916 yards) returns, as does the league's top receiver in speedy Fred Stamps (85 catches, 1,402 yards, eight TDs). But Maurice Mann (73 catches, 917 yards. six TDs) was dealt to Hamilton for defensive back Chris Thompson.
EAST DIVISION
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton was second in the East Division at 9-9 and hosted its first home playoff game since 2001. Veteran Kevin Glenn returns as the starter with sophomore running back DeAndra' Cobb (1,217) and receiver Arland Bruce III (88 catches, 1,242 yards, 10 TDs) his primary weapons. Defensively, veterans Otis Floyd, Jamall Johnson and Markeith Knowlton form arguably the CFL's top linebacking corps. Also looking for playing time will be former Calgary Stampeder Shannon James. Kicker-punter Nick Setta was cut in the off-season with Hamilton signing DeAngelis as a free agent.
Montreal Alouettes
Montreal looks to make it three straight Grey Cup appearances under head coach Marc Trestman. Star quarterback Anthony Calvillo returns, as do such veterans such as centre Bryan Chiu and slotback Ben Cahoon. Tailback Avon Cobourne remains one of the CFL's best and is a dual threat as a solid receiver as well. Holes exist with the departure of kick-returner Larry Taylor (NFL), defensive lineman Keron Williams (B.C. Lions) and cornerback Davis Sanchez (B.C. also). Trestman also had to shuffle his staff, hiring Richard Kent as special-teams coach after Scott Squires chose not to return.
Toronto Argonauts
Jim Barker takes over as head coach for Bart Andrus, who was fired after a dismal 3-15 record last year. Barker cut quarterbacks Kerry Joseph, Cody Pickett and Stephen Reaves and brought in former NFLers Ken Dorsey and Cleo Lemon, former Riders backup Dalton Bell and CIS passing leader Danny Brannagan. The Argos also acquired Copeland from Calgary and signed offensive lineman Cedric Gagne-Marcoux and cornerbacks Byron Parker and Jordan Younger in free agency. Rookie Steven Turner will be given the chance to replace star kick-return Dorsey. Former Argos Mike O'Shea and Orlondo Steinauer both return as assistant coaches.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Paul LaPolice replaces the controversial Mike Kelly as head coach. Kelly was fired after missing the playoffs with a 7-10 record. The Bombers also cut quarterback Michael Bishop and signed both Pierce and former Rider backup Stephen Jyles. Also gone is linebacker Barrin Simpson, who got into a much-publicized spat with Kelly after being put on the nine-game injured list. Rookie Cory Watson should help a receiving corps that already features Terrence Edwards, Adarius Bowman and Brock Ralph. Nose tackle Doug Brown returns to anchor a defence that includes speedy cornerback/kick-returner Jovon Johnson.