Fournier finding his way in the pros

Sam ''Bang'' Fournier fait honneur au programme Rouge et Or  à travers le pays.

Permettez-moi de publier cet excellent article sur l'un de nos boy's qui fait carrière chez les pros. Sam ''Bang'' Fournier le 38 des Tiger-Cats de Hamilton( Québec...) . L 'article est en anglais mais bon....même si je publi d'habitude seulement du contenu original  sur mon blogue, je pensais que cela vous intéresserait.


Arden Zwelling

CFL.ca

In 2005, a 19-year-old Samuel Fournier was already going to CFL practices.

The Montreal Alouettes were practicing in St-Jean-sur-Richlieu at the time, the same Quebec city 30 minutes Southeast of Montreal where Fournier was finishing secondary school at Cégep St-Jean-sur-Richlieu.

It just so happened that the Alouettes practices were held right beside Fournier’s school and watching Alouette icons like Anthony Calvillo and Dave Stala run through the motions quickly became a favourite after school pastime for Fournier and his St-Jean-sur-Richlieu Giants teammates

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Five years, two national college championships and a CFL contract later, the now 24-year-old Fournier is back on a CFL practice field. Of course this time he’s taking part in Hamilton Tiger-Cats practice instead of watching from the stands.

And wouldn’t you know it, Dave Stala is there to

“I told Dave when I first met him that when I was a kid I was going to watch him practice with the Alouettes all the time after school,” Fournier said. “Now I practice with him and play with him. That’s really, really cool for me.

Playing on the same field as his former idols has been just one of many adjustments for Fournier as he’s grown accustomed to life in the CFL. After being selected by Hamilton in the third round, 19th overall, of the 2010 CFL entry draft, Fournier has been run through the gauntlet by his new employer

It began with a tough fight for a roster spot in training camp. Then came a three-week stint on the Tiger-Cats practice roster to start the season. Now, after an injury to fullback Steve Schmidt, Fournier has seen four straight weeks as a member of the 46-man roster, dressing for the team’s last two games and seeing action primarily on special teams.

And that’s all in just the three months since he was drafted.

It seems, however, the Tiger-Cats may have stumbled upon their good luck charm by finally letting Fournier see the field in weeks six and seven against Winnipeg. You can’t argue with the results — a 29-22 win at home and a 39-28 win on the road.

“[Alexandre] Gauthier came up to me the other day and said ‘Sam, since you’ve played we’ve won so just keep playing so we can keep winning,’” Fournier said with a laugh. “It’s just about getting comfortable. I’ve been feeling better out there with every game I’ve played. I think I play better the more I play.”

Not that Fournier has come into the CFL with blinders on — he’s a product of arguably the country’s best university football program

“At Laval we took things really seriously. I honestly wish I could have played more at Laval. I think they prepared me really well to be a fullback in the CFL,” Fournier said.

In his four seasons at Laval, Fournier played in 45 of the team’s 46 games, losing just four times over that span.

He won two Vanier Cups with the Rouge-et-Or — a feat most Canadian football players can only dream of putting on their resume — and would finish his CIS career with 97 carries for 621 yards and eight touchdowns and a selection to play in the 2009 East-West Bowl.

That’s not to mention the invaluable experience that comes from working day-in-day-out with head coach and four-time Vanier Cup winner Glen Constantin, whose savvy full-time coaching staff, grueling practice schedule and dedication to recruiting — the program’s deep pockets don’t hurt either — has earned Laval the label of ‘Canada’s ninth professional football team.’

In fact, it was Constantin’s idea to convert the stocky Fournier from a running back to a fullback after his first year with the Rouge-et-Or.

The Lacolle, QB native had dreams of playing in the CFL, but few Canadian running backs crack rosters in the pros. At fullback, Fournier would have a better chance of not only making a CFL team, but seeing the field on a regular basis

“I’m really glad I had that experience three years ago at Laval instead of now,” Fournier said of switching positions. “I had less carries, but I learned how to block and play special teams and all the little things that have helped me a lot here. I owe the coaches at Laval a lot for preparing me for the CFL.”

Of course, the transition was difficult for Fournier at first. No bull-headed teenager, accustomed to carrying not only the ball but also their team on a regular basis, likes to hear that they will be moving to a position where their services will be less utilized.

But Fournier quickly learned that pride had to be swallowed and ego had to be checked if he was going to take the next step in his football career. Without switching positions Fournier may have forever been watching those CFL practices in St-Jean-sur-Richlieu — not taking part in them.

“It was hard for me because everywhere I played before Laval I was the guy who was always helping the team win. I was the play maker,” Fournier said.

“But now I understand my role. Special teams, full back, it doesn’t matter. I will take everything that they give me. I think [the Tiger-Cats] were looking for me to accept that role in rookie camp and when I was on the practice roster and I think that’s probably why they kept me around.”