Rookie receiver Durant ready for some live action
With a dearth of Canadians at the receiver position and given the long- term injury to Simon Charbonneau-Campeau, the Calgary Stampeders are reaching out to a familiar face.
John Hufnagel admitted on Thursday that overtures have been made to Jabari Arthur, the veteran who was let go during training camp.
“We’ve had discussions with Jabari and I wouldn’t be surprised if he showed up one day soon,” said Calgary’s GM- head coach.
In the meantime, the vacancy should serve rookie receiver Lemar Durant well.
He’s expected to get the chance to show off his skills on Saturday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and he can’t wait.
“Mostly, I’m just excited,’’ smiled the 22- year- old out of Simon Fraser. “I’ve been waiting a while for this. I felt that I’ve been ready for a long time, but when you’re at this level, it’s tough to break a roster with players who have been there and made plays in years of being here. The opportunity came up, unfortunately with the injury, but I’m happy that I got the chance and the coaches trust me to fulfil that position.”
Being fully prepared is something Durant understands is key.
“That’s the thing,” he said. “You can’t know it a little bit or make some mistakes. Once you’re in the game, it’s full speed and you have to have it down. I feel for the most part I’ve got it down. There’s always little details I have to figure out that can help me. But for everything we’ve got in this week, I’ve studied the playbook pretty hard, I’m ready to go if they call my name.”
He may be originally from Port Coquitlam, B. C., but Saturday game at McMahon Stadium will be like coming home for Sukh Chungh.
“Yeah, a little for sure,” said the rookie Blue Bombers’ offensive lineman, a standout with the University of Calgary Dinos. “The stadium, the field is very familiar. I played a lot of football on that field. I’m excited to come back for sure to see my old friends, old teammates and my old coaches. It’ll definitely be a different atmosphere than playing as a Dino, but I’m very excited.”
Chungh, 23, the second overall choice by the Bombers in the 2015 CFL draft, makes his fourth start at the right guard position.
“I’m still getting my feet wet, very new to this, and every day is just exciting,” said Chungh. “The speed of the game is definitely faster than college and the physical aspect has definitely been a factor, but mentally as well. A lot of new situations, new fronts you get to see, new formations ... every day I’m like a sponge, I get to soak it all up.”
Thankfully, the six- foot- four, 300- pounder has guys around him to help it all come along quicker.
“Stanley Bryant’s a professional on and off the field,” he said of his O- line mate and former Stampeder. “Me being a rookie and him being Stanley Bryant, he’s helped me a lot. He’s very approachable and so is ( centre) Dominic Picard. Every day in meetings you get this new information and it’s great.”
A wonky shoulder has kept the Stamps’ 2015 top draft pick, Karl Lavoie, out of any significant action ... until now.
On Saturday, Lavoie is slated to be one of six manning an offensive line that’s had to be patched together after being decimated by injuries.
“It’s good to be back on the field,” said the versatile six- foot- four, 285- pounder. “It’s more for the opportunity, I’m really excited for that. I just want to go on the field and show them, because right now I haven’t been able to show them what I can do.
“We never think about it ( injuries) and we don’t want it to happen because we’re all friends and we’re all good buddies. But it’s a good opportunity for me and I have to take it.”
Punter Rob Maver was doing Rene Paredes’ chores at practice on Thursday, while Paredes continues to nurse a sore groin. Maver took care of both the punts and kickoffs in Monday’s game.
“Rene’s fine,” said Hufnagel after practice. “It’s a little chilly, cold day and didn’t want to aggravate anything.
“Rob is a great emergency guy and, obviously, that’s why we drafted him in the first round, his ability to do both.”