Canadians put in tackle jobs

The Stamps continue to tinker with their offensive line with another shuffle on Wednesday, and one that goes against CFL conventional wisdom. The Stamps had Canadians manning the two tackle positions — Spencer Wilson on the left side and J’Micheal Deane on the right — with an import, Stanley Bryant, lining up at right guard.

Traditionally, Americans are used at left tackle (a crucial position, protecting a righthanded quarterback’s blind side), and often on the right side as well, and it’s extremely rare to see one at an interior position. That’s mainly due to the sheer depth of talent in the U.S. talent pool of offensive linemen, who, in general terms, are bigger and faster than their Canadian counterparts.

It has been a long, long time since Bryant has played anything but tackle.

“I don’t remember,” said the six-foot-five, 282-pounder, who was the Stamps’ Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman nominee last season. “I would say it was in little league. My first position was right guard. I was, maybe, 10? But I was tall, though, five-four, five-five.”

Bryant would be seeing a different breed of defensive lineman from the guard position than he does at tackle, where he has to keep speedy defensive ends at bay. Defensive tackles are built for wreaking havoc, not sprinting.

“Basically, you have to move your feet on those big guys,” said Bryant. “They have so much beef on them, so you have to get on ’em, move ’em, and stay in front of ’em.”