Stampeders keep finding ways to win games
Quick Six the wonder horse has thrown a shoe or two and will be hobbling into Regina this weekend to take on the resurgent Roughriders at beautiful new Mosaic Stadium.
Chaos reigns on the offensive line. Their star running back Jerome Messam is undergoing concussion protocol after taking a helmet in the back of the head from B.C.’s Micah Awe. No penalty called, same as in Toronto where Eskimo quarterback Mike Reilly was knocked silly by a helmet assault. The receiving corps is decimated and place-kicker Rene Parades is nursing a hamstring pull. The Calgary Stampeders have been dealing with those kinds of situations singularly or in combination since training camp and have managed to cope to the extent they are 10-1-1 and in first place. Unsurprisingly, sympathy for them throughout the league is somewhat restrained.
Calgary’s offence didn’t play very well against B.C. but they still won. Said Bo Levi Mitchell after the game, “It’s not pretty right now. It’s a real grind. We’ve had a lot of guys going down and with the 44 man rosters in the CFL that’s not a good thing. We have lots of things to work on in order to get better.”
Head coach Dave Dickenson agreed. “Offensively, we showed a lot of fight but we ran out of bodies again. I think right now you’re looking at a team that’s led by defence and special teams. That’s not a bad combination. Our D is harassing quarterbacks and our special teams are giving us good field position. It was a hard fought win, I felt the game was in doubt until near the end but the guys kept fighting and made the plays.
“We haven’t had a lot of rhythm on offence. Our receiving corps has to get more explosive, run faster. Ultimately it is up to me to make sure the offence has a good plan.
“Our D-line is getting a lot of pressure on quarterbacks. It’s tough for quarterbacks when they are moving around and not feeling comfortable. Our guys stay in coverage, make the opposition earn everything they get and hopefully force them to make some bad decisions. Our guys are also doing a great job up front stopping the run as well and they’ve been doing those things consistently.
“We’ve got competition in practice, we’ve got people there that are fighting for jobs and I think that makes our defence better.”
Saskatchewan coach Chris Jones would likely say the same thing about his defenders. He has being upgrading all season from a deep practice roster. Recently linebacker Jeff Knox and DB Otha Foster returned from the NFL. Defensively, Calgary leads in most categories but the Roughriders are closing the gap. Both teams have a legitimate contender for Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Green Giant Ed Gainey already has eight interceptions. The single season record is 15 set by Hamilton’s Al Brenner in 1972. Calgary’s Canadian middle linebacker Alex Singleton is having a monster year, wreaking havoc from sideline to sideline in this only his second year.
The teams are pretty close on offence. Calgary is sixth in time of possession, Saskatchewan is fifth, the Stamps fourth in net offence, the Riders fifth. Saskatchewan is 2nd in passing, Calgary sixth. Only Hamilton has a worse completion percentage than the Stampeders. Bo Levi Mitchell and Kevin Glenn rank 5th and 6th in passing. Calgary has surrendered the fewest sacks and interceptions and has the best Giveaway/Takeaway ratio in the CFL. Neither team hurts themselves with penalties.
Injuries are the great equalizer. Since the last time the teams met, July 22 at McMahon, Calgary 27, Saskatchewan 10, the Cowboys have lost star pass catchers DeVaris Daniels, Kamar Jorden and Lemar Durant to injuries. Duron Carter is on the limp for Saskatchewan. Kevin Glenn, an early odds-on favourite to win the Most Outstanding Player award over Argo Ricky Ray is nursing a sore paw but should be good to go this weekend. If not, the promising but green Brandon Bridge will start, probably ensurin victory for the visitors.
A theory as to how the team got its name is that the Roughriders broke horses at the RCMP training grounds in Regina. I expect Glenn to start. Quick Six should be easy pickings.
Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 45 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.