“I don’t ever remember being involved with a team that had so many guys retire, at least eight,” said Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson last year in May. His Stampeders went on to win the Grey Cup.
Last week, he lamented, “Eleven of our 24 starters from the Grey Cup team are gone. But it is what it is. I thought we’d lose some players this year but I didn’t think we’d lose quite as many. We have four to the NFL which is a lot, five if you include Chris Matthews. That’s what success does.
“With the salary cap, no CBA, and not really knowing the numbers, plus signing Bo (Levi Mitchell), we were unable to keep some of our all-star players. Most were on defence.”
Those who went south included Alex Singleton, Jameer Thurman and James Vaughters. Micah Johnson, the best defensive tackle in the league, signed with Saskatchewan, defensive end Ja’Gared Davis and safety Tunde Adeleke are now Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Safety Adam Berger retired.
Offensively, receivers Marken Michel went to Philadelphia, DaVaris Daniels to Edmonton, Matthews to Winnipeg and Lemar Durant to B.C. O-lineman Spencer Wilson is now singing Alouette.
How will the Horsemen fare this season? Only time will tell but if any organization is expert at overcoming adversity it is the John Hufnagel/Dave Dickenson Calgary Stampeders. Knowing what lay ahead, last fall he stocked up on NFL cuts who should fill holes this year.
“I think we certainly have some good players,” allowed Dickenson. “There is continuity at quarterback and the offensive line. Defensively on the back end we have Brandon Smith, Jamar Wall and Tre Roberson but there will be some new faces. We’ll have a couple of new linebackers for sure. We will have good competition in training camp. We feel we’ve still got talent, just not as many familiar faces.”
And, yes, Bo is back in the bunkhouse with a four-year deal in the $700,000 per season range. As John Hufnagel told me when he was in town with the Grey Cup, “After paying Bo we didn’t have much left for our other free agents.” Huff had no choice. Without 2018’s CFL Most Outstanding Player and all-star quarterback, the Stamps would have been mired in deep horsey doo. In his eighth season in Calgary livery, it seems he’s been around forever but he’s only 29 years old, the prime of life for a quarterback.
He has two Most Outstanding Player awards, two All-Canadian selections and two Grey Cup rings. How do you coach such a veteran?
Hall of Fame quarterback Dickenson replied, “You want to make sure you find little things to help him improve. You also have to do things to keep his elbow and shoulder feeling strong. You want the offence to evolve to fit his skill set. He’s not old but he’s been around a long time.
“I feel good that he’s back. He has command of the offence. He’s our leader. He shows up in the big games. But you’ve got to keep pushing him, keep him working to be better.”
Protecting Bo will be tackles Ucambre Williams and Derek Dennis, guards Shane Bergman and Brad Erdos with sophomore Ryan Sceviour at centre. The running backs are Don Jackson and Terry Williams, the fullback William Langlais. Dickenson wants to upgrade his receiving corps although he has a decent nucleus with returning veterans Markeith Ambles, Juwan Brescacin, Richard Sindani, Eric Rogers and Reggie Begelton, the latter two spectacular at times but prone to injury. Look for NFLer Griff Whalen, along with No. 1 draft pick Hergy Mayala to crack the lineup. The injured Kamar Jorden should be ready by Labour Day.
The toughest defender to replace is linebacker Singleton, a league award winner and a Canadian. Wynton McManus,Cory Greenwood and Riley Jones will back up the line. Secondary returnees Brandon Smith and Jamar Wall are over thirty years old. Five-year Ticat Courtney Stephen is a keeper along with Tre Roberson. Rookies DaShaun Amos and Gump Hayes should make the team.
Punter Rob Maver and kicker Rene Paredes are outstanding.
Despite all the changes, because they have the best coach and GM in the league, they are still the team to beat.
Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 47 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.
