The afternoon session capped off a very physical first day of training camp that saw one skirmish and one full on fight. There were also great completions, great runs and some stingy defense. If the first day was any indication, the Lions appear to have found some talent at running back, as Toddrick Pendland, Jamal Lee, and Yonus Davis all showed flashes of brilliance and great speed.

Here are some photos of the afternoon session. If you missed our photos from the morning, they can be found here.

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Welcome to our live blog of the BC Lions June 6th, afternoon session from Kamloops. Refresh for new highlights as they happen.

4:00pm: The weather is once again perfect for football, clouds and some sun with a nice breeze as the players take to the field for the afternoon session.

4:05pm: The players have broken into positional groups to work on some basic formations and schemes.

4:26pm: The players are working individual drills right now, tackling dummies, foot agility, receiving. Secondary is working breaking on the ball.

4:38pm: QB’s are working on routes with receivers, Secondary working opn man coverage drills. Jim Mullin of CKNW and “The Mullin Files” here on BCLionsDen is in attendance.

4:53pm: For the second straight practice Anton McKenzie is not in pads and is running (jogging) around the field. New president Dennis Skulsky is enjoying camp, shaking hands with players and media.

4:55pm: Quick take of the media in attendance: Matt Sekeres (Globe), Rick Ball (Team 1040), Lowell Ullrich (Province) Jim Mullin (CKNW) Gord McIntyre (Sun)

5:05pm: once again the defense is looking the sharper of the two sides early. Jamal Robertson drops a laser beam Printers throw.

5:22pm: JR LaRose picks off Kyle Parrish. Emmanuel Arceneaux is catching everything.

5:30pm: Offense surrenders another interception to the defense. Dominique Williams gets it off a tipped Printers pass.

5:42pm: Team is working on special team coverages (walk throughs).

5:46pm: First field goal work of camp. McCallum getting the first reps.

5:51pm: both kickers miss a fieldgoal, otherwise not much to choose. Onto the scrimmage.

5:52pm: First play from scrimmage Jamal Lee catches a pass out of the backfield and takes it to the house.

5:58pm: Another pick but this ones on Simon as the ball popped out and into the hands of Arakgi

6:08pm: 2nd scrap of camp. Passmore and Toney exchange punches. Very physical camp for day one!

6:16pm: Toddrick Pendland and Yonus Davis with back to back long runs for TD’s both looking extremely quick!

6:20pm: Practice ends.

Stars of the session: Jamal Lee, Darius Passmore, Crawford, Haley, Yurichuk, Printers, Arceneaux, Pendland, Y. Davis, Washington.

The offense made up for a slow start and owned the scrimmage at the end of practice.

We’ll have more pictures later tonight:

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It was a crisp morning but the weather was perfect to kick off day one of BC Lions training camp in Kamloops. The Lions took to the field in a very workmanlike manner, and the intensity was high for the first practice of camp. There were great catches, interceptions and even a few big hits in the morning session of day one, a session that had the defense looking a little sharper than the offense early on. We have some highlights of the first practice here, and you can see some pictures below.

Be sure to check back this afternoon as we will live blog from the afternoon session as well.

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9:08 am: Team has broken into groups and are working on systems and schemes. A very workmanlike environment here early.

9:24am: Casey Printers looks very sharp, throwing balls with great accuracy and zip. Also showing a great command in the drills.

9:31am: New Lions president Dennis Skulsky is in attendance on the sidelines. For the first tim in years, fans are not allowed on the sidelines at practice. I’ll have to get creative for good pictures!

9:33am: Team is getting ready for offense on defense drills.

9:41: Printers goes 55 yards to Simon, on the money!

9:45am: Printers picked off by Darren Toney.

9:50am: Kerry Reed (Michigan State) shows great moves and speed beating Toney one on one.

9:58am: Anton McKenzie is not in pads and has been running laps around the track all practice. He looks a little heavier than his listed 228 pounds.

10:07am: You know you’re at traoining camp when Jacques Chapdelaine is yelling “Ranger ranger ranger ranger!”

10:14am: RB Andrew Harris helped off after a hit LB Soloman Elimimian.

10:23am: Andrew Harris back on the field.

10:28am: Scrimmage time!

10:29am: Arceneaux with a great ctch amongst three defenders!

10:32am: Printers goes deep and connects with Matt Chapdelaine.

10:34am: Chapdelaine popped by Tad Crawford and draws an “Oooh” from the crowd. The ball pops out.

10:39am: Almost had the first fight of camp as Justin Sorensen and Montrell Craft get into it and are separated.

10:42am: Paris Jackson with a catch and recovered fumble and then Lulay picked off by Tad Crawford. Defense domoinated that session.

10:57am: Special team work winding down practice. Both Whyte and McCallum punting well.

11:00am: Practice one is in the books. Great session with lots of intensity. Standouts: Printers, Reed, Elimimian, Crawford, Marsh.

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On the eve of the start of rookie camp, the BC Lions coaches and player hopefuls that will descend on Kamloops are in for a tough few days.

For rookies, these next few days may be their one chance to catch someone’s eye. It can mean the difference between a career in professional football, or the reality that it’s time for a career adjustment. Adding to the challenge is the fact that for most of these prospects, they are coming from south of the border, and have never seen, or played a down of Canadian football.

For the coaches, the pressure is on to find the next diamond in the rough and not let him fall through the cracks. They have a matter of days to decide who carries on to the main cam and who hands in their playbooks.

Sometimes the decisions are easy. As Lowell Ullrich of the Fifth Quarter writes, some players may not even get on the bus to Kamloops due to the logistics of getting into Canada. Some will make the trip, and head home the next day. One mistake, one brain cramp can be the difference. Of course, none of the players would be invited if the Lions hadn’t seen something already and it’s now up to the players to show what they’ve got, and for the coaches to recognize it.

BCLionsDen.ca will have coverage from Kamloops June 6th to June 10th. Make sure to follow us on Twitter for the latest!

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