Finally, say Stamps, some game action
The murderous repetition of two-a-days have, mercifully, reached an end. The holding back, the stopping up, the politeness so totally foreign to the baser instincts of the enterprise are, for one night at least, not an issue.
“Guys,’’ sighed wideout Ken-Yon Rambo, “have been hitting on each other for the last week and a half. That gets old. Soooooo old. Tired. Soooooo tired. I know the linemen, especially the D-lineman, are really anxious to hit somebody else.
“I also know that as receivers, we’re ready to run routes on some other guys, guys we don’t like, guys who aren’t our friends.’’
In the buildup to regular-season opening night, July 1, the 2012 Calgary Stampeders have finally progressed from read-throughs to dress rehearsals. Stage 1 completed.
So tonight, 7 o’clock at McMahon Stadium, coach Kavis Reed leads a team burdened with many of the same question marks facing these Stampeders, the Ray-less, Messamless Eskies, to town. And not a moment too soon. “It’s the nature of football to crave competition,’’ says veteran Keon Raymond, moved out to the corner this season. “To prove yourself on the field.
“The biggest thing is, by this time, your body’s tired. You’re sore. You can’t run. So one of the things you have to be is mentally tough in the last few days leading up to this first exhibition game. It’s a real good time to test your mind, to make sure you’re focused in what you’re supposed to do.
“When the games come, it’s easier. In the games, the emotion and just take over.
“This will pick everybody’s spirits up.’’
For mammoth import offensive tackle na’shan goddard — who trashes the Toledos at sixfoot-five and 315 pounds — tonight marks a new beginning of sorts. He’s a Canadian Football League ‘rookie’ at 29, and the owner of two Super Bowl rings — with the New York Giants in 2008 and as a New Orleans Saint two seasons later.
“Besides getting tired of beating up on your own guys, you start getting used to their moves. So this is a good test for us. To see some new guys, new moves, new speed. Everything. Get you ready for the season.
“Sure, I’ll be nervous. It’ll take awhile to get rid of the butterflies. This is my first year up here, so I’m still getting used to the rivalries. And everybody tells me these guys are our biggest rivals, especially after what happened last year. We all want to get out and get after it, after them. But for me, this is still a totally different game, different rules, different field. I can’t wait, though.
“Football’s a game that takes some time to build chemistry, to click. And we’ve had some injuries here, which has made it tough to get everyone in sync.
“We’re looking forward to gettin’ to that ‘click’ moment.’’
Thursday, the Stamps held the traditional walk-through in advance of tonight’s game.
For the newbies, the hopefuls, there’s only one chance to make a good first impression. Tonight is that chance. For the savvy old campaigners, it marks the first of two games to begin honing in, polishing up, attending to details, under actual artillery fire.
“It’s all downhill now, man,’’ promises Rambo. “Always is, once you get past that last day of two-a-days. Wooooo! Wooooo!
“We can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“These last couple of weeks have been beneficial, but I think we’re all ready for a change.
“At this time of any training camp, everybody’s just excited to be able to cut loose, line up and . . . play.’’