Stamps return from bye week, ink new RB
New arrival will help carry the load with Cornish sidelined by an injury
The idea of calling it quits didn’t even enter Keith Toston’s mind.
“No, I don’t want to be done until I’m 30,” the 28- year- old running back pointed out. “Until I’m 30, I never think like that. I’m just blessed about the opportunity.”
Toston impressed the Calgary Stampeders at this year’s training camp, but was a late cut. Now he’s back, re- signing with the team and joining the practice roster on Monday, the Stamps’ first action since coming off a bye week.
The 5- foot- 11, 215- pound international admitted to being a little surprised to hear from the CFL club again.
“Yeah, I was,” said Toston, “but I’ve been keeping up with the guys and I knew that they had a couple of injuries, so I was looking forward to the phone call and when I received it, I’m here now, so I’m happy.”
In camp, Toston had a good battle going with fellow import Tory Harrison. When the Stamps opted to keep Harrison, the former was deemed expendable.
“Keith fortunately was able to come back and willing to do so,” said Calgary head coach/ general manager John Hufnagel. “With the injury to Jon ( Cornish), we felt we needed more depth.
“He’s a good football player and it was a tough decision. Both him and Tory, I had full confidence in them. At that time I picked Tory, but Keith, if he gets in the game, I’ll be very confident.”
Less than two months since he left, Toston hasn’t had enough time to fall out of shape and indeed did his best to keep ready.
“I was in Houston. It’s 104, 105 ( degrees Fahrenheit) every day so I tried to do as much as I can in those conditions,” he said. “I don’t have a trainer, but I’m in pretty good shape and I’m ready to go.
“It’s nice. I know these guys. I was here during training camp, sweating with these guys, and I had a chance to watch them. I’ve been doing it my whole life, so whatever the guys need me to do, I’m here now and I’m going to take that role and just ride with it.”
In other roster moves on Monday, international offensive lineman Andre Ramsey and national linebacker Christopher Johnson were released.
O- LINE BLESSING
As far as Garry Williams is concerned, the injured right elbow that’s enveloped in a brace just prior to the bye week is but a scratch.
“I’m good, I’m good, I’m ready to rock and roll!” the Stamps’ offensive lineman said with a grin.
Williams, installed at left tackle, hurt the elbow in the second quarter of the win against Montreal. He did not return, but the prognosis was — for the beleaguered O- line — a good one.
“I knew it was hyperextended,” he said. “I just didn’t know how serious it was. It’s feeling better now and I’m thankful for it.
“During the game I was trying to come back, but I couldn’t. But as far as everything, it’s feeling good. I got the brace on just for protection.”
There was no panic among the unit, which is well- schooled in losing bodies mid- game. Spencer Wilson took over at Williams’ position, while Paul Swiston came in at right guard.
“We have guys who can step up and play and that’s what happened. Guys stepped up and we got that W,” said Williams, who spent the bye week visiting family in Charlotte, N. C.
LATE ARRIVALS
A couple of players didn’t make it back for Monday’s short practice: LB Deron Mayo was held up by a flight cancellation, while DB Joe Burnett was excused to take care of some personal business.
Some familiar faces were out on the field, including defensive linemen Ben D’Aguilar and Micah Johnson, both slated to come off the six- game injury list. Two players who missed the last game, defensive back Buddy Jackson ( leg) and receiver Joe West ( leg), were both out there.
“I believe Ben will be available for this game,” said Hufnagel. “He looks good and wants to play. We’ll make a determination further on down the line.”
Hufnagel will have some decisions to make by week’s end, in particular with kicker Tyler Crapigna, also at the tail end of the six- game injury list.
As restful as the bye week was for players, it was largely work as usual for the coaching staff.
“It allowed the coaches to do a lot of self- scout, analysis of what we’ve accomplished so far and what we haven’t accomplished and how we’re going to make the things we haven’t accomplished better,” Hufnagel said.
“We met with the team this morning and have a plan to become a better football team.
“It’s a two- way street. You can have a plan, but the players need to do the hard work on the field to get themselves better.”