After three years in Hamilton, signing with Calgary was a chance for a new experience.
During the off-season, it was on my mind a lot and I kind of was feeling like a rookie. But man, when I walked into this locker-room in Calgary, I was greeted with open arms. They just made me feel much better.
I got here Wednesday and as each day went by leading up to this day, the team just made me feel more and more comfortable. It made me feel like I was back in Hamilton. I’m with a group of guys who want me to be here and with a coaching staff that wants me here, so I’m just going to go out there and do what I do.
I played with Khari Long in Hamilton, so there was at least one familiar face. And I know some of the other guys just from playing against them, guys like Juwan Simpson and Malik Jackson. So it wasn’t totally new coming in.
This is the first day of training camp and it was pretty good. I’m just getting everything down right now. As practice went on, everything started to click for me and I’m having fun out there. It was a good first day.
Everybody has been a great help. From the moment I came in, everybody welcomed me with open arms and they’ve been helping me out with any questions that I have. They’re giving me the answers that I’m looking for. Because of that, things are going along a lot smoother than I expected and I’m really happy about that.
Early in training camp, I’m just trying to get the base and feel of the defence and learn the terminology and the hand signals. I’m picking it up pretty fast. Brandon Smith is next to me and he’s helping me out, which makes a huge difference.
I just want to go out there and be the best boundary cornerback I can be. I’m not trying to be Superman, I’m just trying to do my best every down.
I’ve been asked about the pressure of trying to replace Brandon Browner but I don’t really look at it like that. I’ve got a job I’ve got to do. I already set high standards for myself as it is, so I’m not looking at this like I’ve got big shoes to fill. I look at it as just another job I’ve got to go out there and do.
Starting off at junior college and then going to a smaller school like Pittsburg State, it was a tough road and I put in a lot of hard work to get here and I’ve still got a lot of hard work to put in. But the way I look at it, it just made me a better person. If this was easy, everybody would be doing it. It was a long and hard road but I’m pretty happy being here in Calgary at the end of that road. I think it’s all paid off for me.
Geoff Tisdale, #29
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