DAVIS CONFUSED BY NFL ROUGHING RULE
Stamps DL says pass rushers taught to run through contact, writes Danny Austin.
Ja’Gared Davis can only look at the way roughing the passer calls are being made in the NFL and shake his head.
As a defensive end who has been playing football since he was a kid, Davis was taught to tackle a certain way.
He knows a dirty hit when he sees one, so when he sees guys like Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews getting penalized for seemingly clean hits on quarterbacks, Davis can’t help but wonder what defensive players are even supposed to do anymore.
“(The NFL’s new roughing the passer rule) would probably affect me a lot, because it’s to the point now where we almost can’t touch them at all,” Davis said. “(Matthews’ hits) against (Kirk Cousins), the one against Alex Smith, they were clean hits. He took his head out of it, didn’t lead with his head, he just ran through contact. As a kid, that’s what we’re taught.”
While the CFL’s rules do state that any hit above the passer’s shoulder, that involves stuffing him to the ground, throwing him violently to the ground or landing on him with most of the defender’s weight is illegal, there hasn’t been anywhere near the controversy surrounding the way roughing the passer is flagged when compared to what’s happening in the NFL.
Matthews was flagged for landing with most of his weight on Smith in Sunday’s game between Green Bay and Washington.
While making the game safer is a goal most players can get behind, the way roughing the passer is being called in the NFL makes guys like Davis wonder how any pass-rusher is supposed to do their job.
“What do they expect when a 265-pound man is running full speed and another man that’s only 230 or 220, and they’re standing still?” Davis asked. “If I run through contact and fullspeed to get there, I’ve got to wrap up and run my feet. If I do that and he’s just standing still, it’s going to look like a vicious hit. It’s not intentional, but I’m just doing what I’ve been coached my whole life.
“They’re going to do something about it, it’s to the point where if you touch him, are you going to call the play?”
IN THEIR THOUGHTS
On Saturday, it was announced that former Stampeders defensive lineman Mike Labinjo had died at the age of 38.
Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson played with Labinjo on the 2008 Grey Cup-winning Calgary team and shared his reflections about his former teammate after Monday’s practice.
“Not sure what happened, but doesn’t matter, it’s sad and we all took a moment to think about him and we also have to make sure we take advantage of life and take care of yourself,” Dickenson said. “There are never any guarantees. That’s why in football you just try to make memories.
“He was as big part of the championship run in ’08 and made some great plays in the West Final, I remember those big-time, and we’re sorry for his family, as well as (owner Clay Riddell’s family, after Riddell died last week at age 81). Ultimately, lost a couple members of the family.”
IN OK SHAPE
All things considered, the Stampeders seem to have recovered well during their bye week from the various injuries that were ailing them.
Receivers Kamar Jorden and DaVaris Daniels remain out long-term, and Quinn Smith is still on the six-game injured list, but a number of other players who have missed time recently were participating at Monday’s practice.
Defensive end Cordarro Law was back after a stint on the six-game list, while corner Ciante Evans, running back Don Jackson and receiver Eric Rogers were also back at practice.
“I thought (Law) looked decent,” Dickenson said. “What we thought we’d do with him is give him about half a practice and if he responds well, go tomorrow. I’d like to at least have him available, it’s close.”
The situation was similar with Evans.
“I was glad he was just kind of in that Cadillac mode, which is cruise control,” Dickenson said. “I won’t push him back in there, but obviously as soon as he’s ready he’s our starting corner.”
Jackson’s return might present something of a dilemma. The first-year running back has been excellent, but in his absence over the past couple of weeks Romar Morris has shown flashes of real potential, as well.
It’s possible they could both be in the lineup at the same time, although that would mean Terry Williams would likely have to sit instead of playing as the team’s primary returner, and that’s not something the Stamps have shown any real inclination towards.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do, we’ll let it play out,” Dickenson said. “Let those guys compete, let the other guys have their say.”