Stamps sophomore coping well with taking SAM position
Levels ‘can run and hit and he’s super aggressive,’ says defensive backs coach
A couple weeks ago, Patrick Levels had barely even practised at the SAM position for the Calgary Stampeders. In his rookie season last year, Levels spent most of his time practising at corner and that mostly continued throughout 2018 training camp.
But when Jamar Wall got hurt a few weeks ago, Levels was shifted inside to SAM, where defenders need to help both the linebackers and defensive backs.
It’s a tough position to master, but so far Levels hasn’t looked out of place.
“We gave up (169 total yards against the Ottawa Redblacks last week) with Patrick Levels as a starter in there,” said Stamps defensive backs coach Josh Bell. “He has a particular set of skills that he does very well and he continues to grow as a football player day in and day out.”
Levels was used as a hybrid linebacker/safety while playing college ball with the Baylor Bears.
There’s still an adjustment, of course, but Levels doesn’t see the requirements of playing SAM as being too overwhelming.
“Coming from cornerback, you have to be a lot more on the run,” Levels said. “You’ve got blitzes, you’ve got to cover a different type of skill guy compared to an outside receiver. Now you’ve got a slot receiver, so a little more of a quicker guy and sometimes you’ve got to go against tight ends.
“It’s a lot of different adjustments, but at the end of the day you’re a professional and you’ve got to come in and fill in where you’re needed.”
So far, Levels has done just that. Two weeks ago at home against the Redblacks, the 24-year-old had three defensive tackles and a fumble recovery.
Then last Thursday in Ottawa, Levels picked up four tackles and the first interception of his CFL career.
“Felt good to get that monkey off my back, for sure,” he said.
Levels still has lots to learn and it’s possible he’ll be back at corner when Wall is ready to return to the lineup. For now, though, he’s shown the sort of versatility that coaches love and should see him get lots of playing time.
When Shaquille Richardson left in the off-season to sign with the NFL’s Oakland Raiders, the Stamps didn’t have an obvious replacement. Troy Stoudermire was listed as the starter in Week 2 against the Toronto Argonauts.
Levels has shown he’s a viable option.
“You ever seen the Tasmanian Devil? That’s Patrick Levels,” Bell said. “He can run and hit and he’s super aggressive.”
MAKING PROGRESS
There was generally good news at Monday ’s practice for the Stampeders.
It wasn’t the most high-intensity training session of the season since the Stamps don’t play until Saturday and will no doubt ramp things up as the week progresses, but several key veterans were back on the field after missing the game against the Redblacks.
Wall was in the mix, as well offensive lineman Spencer Wilson.
“They both practised and got through it without further injury,” said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson. “We’re prepared for either way, so let’s go ahead and make my decision tough. Let’s go ahead and make sure you look good and we’ll want to reward the guys who have been playing and playing well.”
One guy who was not practising was safety Tunde Adeleke. The second-year DB has been out with an ankle injury since crashing into the advertising boards that surround the McMahon Stadium field before the Stamps’ Week 3 game against the Redblacks.
DECISION TO MAKE?
Running back Don Jackson didn’t participate in the full practice Monday, although it’s understood he’s not dealing with anything too serious.
The rookie has been on a tear since the start of the season and has run for 396 yards.
“He’s a little banged up, too,” Dickenson said. “He needs to get healthy as well. It was a tough game, a physical game, hot. We hope to see him out there in the next day or two, but we’re preparing for either scenario.”
The other scenario would likely involve Romar Morris getting more playing time. Morris was on the practice roster until the last game against the Redblacks, but got a shot at kick returning and playing a little running back because Terry Williams was fighting a minor injury and wasn’t ready to go.”
He has a particular set of skills that he does very well and he continues to grow as a football player.