Inside the CFL: Dickenson hoping for quick start out of the gate

By GRAHAM KELLY on June 2, 2022.

Last year a young Calgary Stampeder team got off to a slow 2-5 mark. Fourteen starters from the team that lost the 2019 semifinal were gone, including all-stars like receivers Reggie Begelton and Eric Rogers, defenders Tre Roberson (he came back) and Brandon Smith, as well as punter Rob Maver. During the season they overcame injuries to quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and made the play-offs for the 13th straight season.

Head coach Dave Dickenson hopes his horses get out of the gate more quickly this year.

“We expect to get off to a fast start and play winning football right from the get-go. With a rookie camp, pre-season games, we’ll know more about our players, all positives for us. We’re still young which is a good thing because football is a young man’s game.

“I like what we’ve done,” he continued. “Our receiving corps, getting Reggie in the building again will really help that group. I think our offensive line will be good bringing Derek Dennis back and we have a good solid core inside. I like Ka’Deem Carey at running back.

“Quarterbacking. Huff did a great job finding a path to getting both Jake Maier and Bo back. That was huge.”

After battling injuries the last two seasons, shoulder and a broken fibula, the 10-year veteran pivot Bo Levi Mitchell still has that competitive fire in his belly and can’t wait to get started.

“I’m feeling ready, feeling strong,” he said. “I’m feeling ready to go back to being myself and playing the best I can. I’m excited because my shoulder is feeling good and I can throw aggressively.”

Behind him on the depth chart is sophomore Jake Maier who performed admirably when Bo was on the six-game injury list. Given the salary cap, it is a testament to the talent of the game’s best GM John Hufnagel that he was able to get Mitchell to take another pay cut so his young rival could be accommodated, thus setting up the team at its most important position potentially for years to come.

Last year, the rookie Maier handled his baptism of fire in magnificent fashion. He threw for over 300 yards in each of his first three starts, the first player in CFL history to do so. In his second career start, he set a team record by completing 17 consecutive passes. He is the best “backup” in the league by a country kilometre, a huge advantage for the Stampeders.

Whichever quarterback lines up behind All-Canadian centre Sean McEwan he will have plenty of fire power. In addition to the returning prodigal son Begelton, Bo can throw to Kamar Jordan, Malik Henry, Shawn Bane, Jr., Richie Sindani who after four years in the league should break through to stardom, and Colton Hunchak. Rookie Felton Davis III is impressing everyone with his circus catches. Protecting the pivots will be tackles Derek Dennis and Julian Good-Jones, guards Zack Williams and Ryan Sceviour with McEwan the centre. Only Winnipeg gave up fewer sacks than Calgary last year.

On defence, the Stamps lost four starters, the most important of which was all-star middle linebacker Darnell Sankey who signed with Saskatchewan. Jameer Thurman moves from the outside to the middle between Silas Stewart and Branden Dozier. Canadian Cameron Judge was acquired in a trade with Toronto can also start at linebacker. The D-line features imports Folarin Ormilade, Mike Rose, Shawn Lemon and homebrew Derek Wiggan. Last year they ranked fourth in the league in sacks, a number Dickenson wants to increase. The secondary with Tre Roberson, Raheem Wilson, Jamar Wall, Jonathan Moxey and Brad Muhammad will be superb.

League leader Rene Parades is the place kicker. Malik Henry who was No. 2 in punt and kickoff returns. Cody Grace is the punter. Calgary is loaded.

I am saddened by the recent announcement of the retirement of Connor McGough due to myocarditis, discovered recently. After graduating from Crescent Heights High School in Medicine Hat, Connor was an all-star with the University of Calgary and an outstanding special teams player with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Dave Dickenson praised Conner, noting he will have great success in life. Take care of yourself, Connor.

Medicine Hat’s Aaron Crawford remains with Calgary as the best long snapper in pro football. John Hufnagel described the nine-year veteran as “an amazing person.” I agree.