Depth gives Stampeders advantages going into CFL draft
John Hufnagel and the Calgary Stampeders have two hurdles to get over when the Canadian Football League holds its draft in seven days.
First, the annual talent-grab next Thursday (1 p.m., TSN) has more variables than ever thanks to the combination of the National Football League’s growing interest in Canadian talent, and the newly announced expansion by 10 players of NFL training-camp rosters. This will allow Stateside teams to extend more free-agent camp invites to Canadian prospects, keeping them out of CFL training camps — a crucial stage in the development of a young player.
Second, the Stamps face the tall task of trying to outdo a splendid 2011 draft from which their top four picks — receiver Anthony Parker (first round, third overall), defensive lineman Junior Turner (second round, ninth overall), linebacker Akwasi Antwi (fourth round, 26th overall) and quarterback Brad Sinopoli (fourth round, 29th overall) combined to dress for 69 games, by far the highest total in the league.
But it all fits in with one of the platforms Hufnagel announced the day he was hired late in 2007 — to improve the Canadian talent and depth on the Stampeders.
“It’s the backbone of your organization,” Hufnagel told a media gathering on Wednesday at Mcmahon Stadium. “Of the 42-man roster, 20 of them are going to be on the field for you.
“If I had to judge ourselves as an organization in terms of what we’ve accomplished in the draft, I think we’ve done a good job.
“It’s always a guessing game, but the picks that we’ve made, a lot of them have been very productive. And I was very pleased with last year’s draft.”
The fact the Stamps have done so well in the draft, in conjunction with their stockpile of picks this time around — nine in total over six rounds (including the No. 5 slot in the first round) — gives Hufnagel some flexibility on draft day when it comes to perhaps gambling on a player who may get a look in the NFL.
“I do believe that with our Canadian depth, we can afford to take a chance because the risk-vs.-reward is so great,” he said. “If he does become a Calgary Stampeder, we know he has a chance to be a very good football player.
“Unfortunately, though we have a lot of picks, a lot of the extra picks are in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds (two in each). It’s nice to have the nine picks, which is three more than any other team,’’ said Hufnagel, who added ‘‘my phone isn’t ringing off the desk because other teams want my fourth- or fifth-round picks.”
In terms of draft-day priorities, predictably Hufnagel won’t tip his cap.
He allowed this year’s crop of draftable players has plenty of depth on both sides of the line of scrimmage, but the Stamps have done reasonably well in stockpiling homegrown talent there, and a lineman choice would be more for future prospects than immediate.
But there is no shortage of talent to choose from.
“I’m pleased with the overall talent,” he said. “Each year, one or two positions are a little bit heavier than others and this year is no exception. I think there are a lot of quality defensive linemen in this year’s draft, and there are some excellent offensive linemen. But, again, you need good luck on draft day — players that you have highlighted to be a Calgary Stampeder, are they still there when it’s your turn to pick?’’
EXTRA POINTS: The Stamps have quietly released 2010 second-round draft pick DB Taurean Allen; he struggled both with injuries and consistency and never made an impact with the club . . . One more member of the 2011 draft class, former U of C Dinos running back Matt Walter, will be at training camp with the Stamps . . . Hufnagel doesn’t expect the CFL Scouting Bureau’s top-ranked draft prospect DE Tyrone Butler to be taken early next Thursday because he’s a sure bet for the NFL draft, which begins today. “I would be surprised if he went in the first round (in the CFL draft),” said Hufnagel. “Unless a team has multiple first-round picks.” And, yes, one team right now does have two first-round choices: the Grey Cup champion Lions, who select fourth and seventh overall.