Bo knows throws
Stamps downplay issues with QB’s shoulder and arm before Argos game
CALGARY — If there’s something wrong with Bo Levi Mitchell, the Calgary Stampeders are trying their best to downplay the situation.
Because there, at McMahon Stadium on Tuesday morning — the first day back to work following Week 9’s 21-17 win over the B.C. Lions — was the team’s starting quarterback, taking first team reps and fully participating in drills.
It was a positive sign, considering Mitchell admitted on Friday that he is dealing with an issue that is affecting his throwing motion.
“Well, I’d caution you (to assume the team was giving him a light workload Tuesday) as you watch practice, he had a great day,” said Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson whose club is a respectable 6-1-1 heading into halfway point of the CFL’s regular season. “He made every throw. He has some soreness, so let’s not kid ourselves. But he’s making all the throws and I thought he threw well today. I’m very happy with what I saw and he’s full-go.”
Mitchell’s numbers were off on Friday as the 27-year-old made only 15 of 31 attempts for 237 yards an one interception, along with zero touchdowns (the first time in 18 games). Considering the 2017 Canadian Football League season is heating up and the Labour Day Classic will be here before you know it, the story will obviously be a developing one.
But, if you’re a day-atime kind of a person, Tuesday seemed like a step in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Jerome Messam, who was dinged with an apparent knee injury in Friday’s game, and Charleston Hughes took Tuesday off for “maintenance.”
“I’m hoping all three are playing (Saturday versus Toronto),” Dickenson said.
And, chances are, Josh Bell could be back in the lineup.
The 32-year-old veteran safety was practising for the first time with the team since having his knee scoped, following Week 5’s win over the Roughriders. In his absence, rookie Tunde Adeleke filled in for him versus Hamilton and B.C.
“It’s good to get Josh back,” Dickenson said. “He’s one of our leaders and a captain. He runs the show back there. But I was very impressed how a rookie was able to handle it and it’s certainly a great option for us.”
Also back practising Tuesday? Linebackers Deron Mayo and Dexter Janke and defensive back Adam Thibault.
Mayo had a set back last week at practice after initially looking like he was ready to return to game action following knee surgery last October.
“All those guys that came off surgery, you think they’re a go and they go home and get some swelling and you’re costing yourself,” Dickenson said. “We felt like with Mayo and Bell, we’d give them some reps (Tuesday) and see how it reacts (Wednesday).”
Dickenson indicated that, overall, he tried to inject some urgency this week at practice, considering their upcoming schedule with the Labour Day twinbill against the Edmonton Eskimos coming up after Saturday’s home game against the Argonauts followed by a rematch against the Lions at McMahon Stadium on Sept. 16.
“We had some things to coach but we felt good about the win still,” said Dickenson about Friday’s victory which saw the Stampeders take 15 total penalties for 150 yards. “I know a lot of people don’t see it that way but we felt good about the win. We knew it was going to be tough … we just feel we have to play better. But that’s good. If you can use that game as a learning experience and still win, that’s a positive for our team.”