Thursday, May 27, 2021. 4:05 PM
MONTREAL – Even if he discovered life within the organization of the Arizona Cardinals in recent weeks, Bruno Labelle has not yet experienced his moment of wonder. He knows it will come, but his college career in the United States has undoubtedly prepared him well for the scale of the NFL.
It must be said that the 23-year-old tight end is mostly surrounded by rookies so far. Labelle has not yet had the chance to cross paths with JJ Watt, Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins and company. Most of the big names on the team will be arriving next week.
In the meantime, Labelle and the other recruits in the organization must adapt to their new reality. So far, the jump hasn’t scared the former Cincinnati Bearcats.
“Of course there is a learning curve, but it’s going pretty well. I am surrounded by very good coaches. As in any new environment, it takes a bit of time to adjust, but I’m not that out of place, I feel in my place. I’m happy with my progress since I arrived, ”replied the man who met tight ends Maxx Williams and Darrell Daniels.
Since the mini-camp of the recruits, which spread over three days from May 14 to 16, his main mission is to assimilate the playbook. Meetings and training in the field follow one another in addition to the gym sessions.
“Apart from the game book, I’m getting used to the professional life. The transition from college to professional player comes with some differences. Now it’s my job, I do it 24 hours a day. It’s time and dedication, but it’s the best job in the world. So far, I haven’t seen anything beyond my reach, ”replied Labelle during a videoconference with some Quebec media.
“The coaches are aware that we are coming from university. There is a process and a plan to facilitate our transition and it involves a lot of adaptation phases. The transition is going very well, ”added Labelle.
Known first as a physical tight end who doesn’t mind getting his nose dirty to complete blocks, Labelle admits his qualities will become more visible during real football rehearsals.
“There are certain situations to show off and I take them 100%. But it is certain that it is when we put on the shoulder pads that it will be the best time for me to demonstrate what I can do, ”noted Labelle.
Either way, no one knows it better than their new coaches. The club decided to bet him for this reason by awarding him a contract at the end of the draft. Before he can show off much of his arsenal at training camp, he makes sure he gets a good grasp of the teachings of Steve Heiden, the approaching wing coach, who played 11 seasons in the NFL at that position.
It seems obvious that the connection with Heiden has become a decisive element in his signing with the Cardinals.
“Cards are a very good fit, I love my relationship with Coach Heiden. It’s a good place for me, it gives me the chance to be in competition for a position, ”mentioned Labelle while real openings exist in this position.
“In the free agent market, a big part of the equation is mutual benefit and it was high on both sides. It was the best place I could go, ”added the one who could also contribute as a full-back if needed.
During training camp, he wants to demonstrate that the Card’s attraction to him was justified.
“I’m excited for the camp. Hoping I can get a job with the team, that’s my goal, that’s why I’m here, ”agreed the six-foot-four, 247-pound athlete.
When this step is launched, he will have had time to acclimatize to the world of the NFL. He is therefore likely to be less nervous in the face of tough competition. He may then experience his moment of wonder, but he also wants to impress others.
Once he is better established within the team, he can go talk to head coach Kliff Kingsbury about his stint of a few weeks at the Montreal Alouettes training camp in 2007 as a quarterback. -back.
