Nowacki In The Right Position Every Time

11/06/2009 05:36

Veteran receiver Nowacki always ready to 'answer the call' with steady, dependable play

Others can, and will, steal the spotlight with their fancy footwork and circus catches. But when it comes to sure, steady play, the Edmonton Eskimos have their man.

Again.

Andrew Nowacki is back in the receiving corps for his sixth season with the Eskimos.

"I'm not worried about catching 10 balls at practice, or anything like that. I just want to be solid and dependable and to let everything else take care of itself," he said after Tuesday's session had wrapped up.

"I know my role on the team and I'm willing to do everything that is asked of me.

"There are guys who make the big plays and guys who have to do the little things and the dirty work and if that's asked of me, I'm more than happy to do it." That role might lack the flash and dash that personifies the likes of Fred Stamps and Kamau Peterson and Maurice Mann, but it is an essential component. Receivers coach Jason Tucker, a pre-eminent pass catcher in his playing days, knows what he's going to get from Nowacki down after down.

Head coach Richie Hall, who used to defend the Tuckers and the Nowackis when he was patrolling the backfield, echoed the importance of having both weapons in training camp.

"Defensively, you can't take away everybody, but he'll answer the call. He's very valuable to our team," Hall said of Nowacki. "You take him away and then you really understand how much you miss him." Nowacki, 28, re-signed with the Eskimos on Feb. 9, just five days before he tied the knot. He's now married to Erica, making plans to get his master's degree in business, and seeing to it that this season doesn't end like the last one did.

There has been no shortage of changes since the Eskimos lost to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Division final, starting with the hiring of Hall, but Nowacki hasn't changed his approach to camp.

He's not looking over his shoulder, unless it's for the football. He's just settling back into his role with the impressive crop that has been assembled. And he might just have a few more pranks up his jersey sleeve.

"I like to have fun," he said. "I mean, you see these guys more than anybody during the year. One thing leads to another ... so whenever anything happens, I'm usually the one who gets pointed at first.

"It's just that everybody is too tired right now. Soon enough." Nowacki and Stamps have had a history of stirring things up, but Nowacki was adamant he has yet to cook up anything. It's not like the time he taped up Stamps' gloves.

"They have a running thing going every year. They're doing something to each other all year," Tucker said.

In the meantime, there's a sure steady role to be played. Last season, in 18 games he played, Nowacki snagged 28 passes for 369 yards and twice made it to the end zone.

"He's dependable. Reliable. You can count on him," Tucker said.

"He's going to be in the right position every time. That's what you need -- somebody who's going to be consistent.

"I know I can always count on him being where he's supposed to be. Not only does he know what he's doing, he knows what everybody else is doing." "It's good to hit the ground running. Especially the way last year ended," Nowacki said. "Having that bad taste in your mouth all winter, from getting so close and losing such a tight game, sticks with you. Especially this time of year."

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Andrew Nowacki is a very valuable Canadian receiver.