Reception has Michel back in the groove
Completion also gives Stampeders fans some reassurance, writes
Marken Michel only had one catch in the Calgary Stampeders’ pre-season opener against the B.C. Lions, but boy, did it feel good.
Early in the first quarter, the sophomore receiver took off down the sideline with the Lions’ Anthony Orange covering him closely. Suddenly, Michel turned and was hit with a dart from Bo Levi Mitchell for a 28-yard gain.
Even for a guy like Michel, who has every reason to feel confident about what he can do in the season ahead, there was something satisfying about the reception.
“It gets you back in the groove of things. Coming off last season, a lot of people think I’m a deep threat, I don’t know why,” Michel said, flashing a smile. “But it’s almost like reassurance that you still got it.”
The completion should have been reassuring for Stamps fans as well.
While Mitchell only got two series against the Lions, the second was a clinical drive down the field that resulted in a two-yard touchdown run from the quarterback.
While there’s been lots of hemming and hawing throughout training camp about the Stamps’ backup QB position and various other jobs around the field, that drive was a reminder of just how frightening the team’s offence might be this season when a fully healthy Mitchell is looking for his deep, young receiving corps.
For his part, Michel was certainly impressed. “He couldn’t have thrown the ball any better,” Michel said.
TRYING FOR ALL FOUR
With the Stamps opting to release Tyler Rogers Monday, there are now three QBs fighting for the team’s backup and thirdstringer jobs.
As of Tuesday, head coach Dave Dickenson is planning on giving all four of his quarterbacks playing time against the Saskatchewan Roughriders Friday night in Regina during the Stamps’ second pre-season contest.
“The theory is if the game lets you, you’ll get all four in,” Dickenson said. “If you don’t, you don’t. I’m planning on, ultimately, Bo will play some. I wouldn’t say a lot, I would expect more than last game, though, and I’ll just let things go from there.”
As mentioned earlier, Mitchell only played on two drives against the Lions. Ricky Stanzi played the rest of the first half, while Larry Brihm started off the third quarter before being replaced by Nick Arbuckle, who took the majority of the reps under centre in the second half.
WALL’S JOB TO LOSE?
It looks as if defensive back Jamar Wall is the most likely candidate to replace Shaquille Richardson at the SAM position in the Stamps’ backfield this season.
While that doesn’t appear to be totally locked in just yet, Dickenson acknowledged the seventh-year veteran is among the front-runners.
“We still have other options, but we think because he’s a veteran … with all his experience, Jamar can handle multiple positions,” Dickenson said. “It’s a tough position, we know that, but we’ve tried out three or four guys and Jamar is definitely one of the guys I think is taking the lead.”
In terms of who will play where in the defensive backfield, Dickenson said there was still a fair amount to be sorted out, especially now that a broken finger will likely keep Ciante Evans out for a couple games.
“Jamar has always lived at that halfback position, I know he can do it,” Dickenson said. “We’re going to take a peek and see what’s going to happen from there. (Brandon Smith is) pretty much locked in, other than that we’re going to move around at corner, at the SAM and try to find the best lineup.”
WHAT WAS ASKED?
Against the Lions, Rushel Shell ran for 13 yards on two carries, but that might have slipped under the radar a little bit.
Fellow running back Terry Williams ran for 47 yards on five carries after all, while Don Jackson added four carries for 29 yards.
Asked about Shell’s performance, Dickenson focused on another element of his game.
“He’s doing a nice job; I think our backs have all done a nice job, though,” Dickenson said. “He looks the part, he’s a solid runner.
“My question was (since) he wasn’t asked to protect the quarterback a lot in college, could he do it? He answered the bell in Week 1.”
The Stamps have a number of options at running back as they look to replace Jerome Messam — Romar Morris also added four carries for six yards, while Simon Atlee contribute one carry for one yard — and Williams is likely the front-runner for the starter’s job after a strong camp and a big game against the Lions.
The Stamps are intending to get all of them into Friday’s game against the Riders for another look, though.