Kiddie corps of receivers getting it done
The Calgary Stampeders made a conscious effort to get younger on defence prior to the season.
A similar youth movement has taken place among the receivers, even if it wasn’t exactly planned.
First, it was Kamar Jorden making a splash with a team-high 73 yards — and his first career CFL touchdown — in the season opener.
Then it was 23-year-old rookie DaVaris Daniels filling in for injured veteran wideout Joe West.
They all know they’re here to play football and when the opportunity comes, they have to … perform.
Needless to say, Daniels has literally taken the ball and run with it.
Stampeders receivers coach Pete Costanza is impressed, but not the least bit surprised by his youngsters’ performance.
“That’s why they’re here,” Costanza said. “They all know they’re here to play football and when the opportunity comes, they have to go out there and perform.
“It’s great when they approach the game, even when they weren’t in (the starting lineup), as they were preparing as they were going to be a starter.
“DaVaris has gone in and has played well. He really did a good job preparing when he wasn’t in.”
After starting the first two games of the season, veteran Bakari Grant retook the starting role. But Grant was injured in a Week 13 win over the Ottawa Redblacks.
That opened the door, again, for Jorden, who had a game-high nine catches for 126 yards and a touchdown last weekend against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“It was a long time coming,” said Jorden, 27. “It felt good to finally go out there and compete.
“I felt like Bo (Levi Mitchell) trusted me a lot this weekend and gave me opportunities to go up and get the ball.”
Mitchell trusted Jorden so much that he tossed one of two crucial passes his way on the final, gamewinning 15-second drive.
“That helps when the triggerman knows he can throw you the football and you’re going to run the right route or make a play on a 5050 ball,” Costanza said.
“It’s always good to have the quarterback’s trust when you’re out there.”