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“We had a pretty good defence last year,” he said. “We lost a lot of kids, but the kids we brought in are good. We’re just getting better and better.

“(Defensive back Forrest) Hightower came last year, had a great training camp and had a good year. Imoan (Claiborne) is doing the same thing. He had a great off-season. That’s a prime example as a professional. The off-season is your time to get better. He used his time well and he has come in and been a heckuva lot better than he was last year.”

Photo by Julie Oliver / Postmedia

Rookie LB Brown appreciates challenge

Kevin Brown figures he’s a good fit in the CFL.

The rookie linebacker, who’s trying to earn a roster spot with the Ottawa Redblacks, is a former defensive back, so things like the wider CFL field and a pass-first offensive philosophy shouldn’t require much of an adjustment for the former University of Cincinnati Bearcat.

“I love playing in the box, I love playing out of the box,” he said. “This is perfect, I’m sideline to sideline, I’m everywhere. Like I was telling the coach the other day, I appreciate a new challenge. I feel like I’m starting from scratch, like I’m in my freshman year of college. It brings out even more of the competitive drive in me to get better every day.”

In the next week or two, the Redblacks will start to sort out who figures into their mix for the 2017 season.

“No part of me is nervous,” said Brown. “I can only control what I can control. I know if I go out, play hard and do what I know I can do … It’s up to them to make that decision whether I can fit into this team. My mindset has been the same since Day 1: Give 100-per-cent effort, know what I’m doing and make plays. And I’m going to keep doing that until the day I’m done with football.”

tbaines@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/TimCBaines