Article content continued

“I had to pick up my stuff and go across the country,” said Arndt. “I took a couple of bags, said goodbye to my family and girlfriend and flew across the country. It was all to pursue my football dream. I hope that speaks volumes (to my commitment).

“I went up there to get some experience with the (Canadian) game. The three downs, the waggle, the dimensions … it was all new to me. I was trying to make that transition seamless. It was a great experience for me, personally and in terms of my football development.”

When Arndt arrived in Ottawa last fall, he watched and learned.

“Me getting here was big, understanding what it takes to be a pro, picking on some of the things playbook wise,” said Arndt. “Coming in, we were in the middle of a playoff push. You sit in the back of the room and learn what you can. There’s not as much time to teach. At first, it’s fast. But coming out here now, things start to click and things will start to slow down.

“(Starting QB) Trevor (Harris) has been a great reference for me, I’ve learned a bunch from him. I’ve watched his film a ton in the off-season, trying to pick up things like footwork and concepts.”

Coming off a three-day mini-camp last week, Arndt — along with the other quarterbacks Harris, Dominique Davis and Danny Collins — will be back in Ottawa for training camp in less than three weeks. Arndt is anxious to get it going.

“My philosophy no matter what’s going on around me, is study, learn, train … repeat that day after day trying to get better,” said Arndt. “The circumstances might be different, but my thought process doesn’t change. I’m just looking forward to coming back and competing. It’s been my goal all off-season to get up here. I’m all football, all the time. Any free time I get, I’m looking to get better.”