Running back corps back to full strength
Don Jackson and Romar Morris are truly, genuinely rooting for each other to succeed.
They might be competing for playing time at running back for the Calgary Stampeders, but it’s just about the least acrimonious competition you’re likely to see.
“We’re always pushing each other,” Jackson said. “We’re a family, but that’s what helps us grow as a group. If we compete every single day, that just makes our group that much better. We want to be the best backfield in the CFL, so we tell ourselves that every single day and we push each other every day.”
On Friday night against the Toronto Argonauts (McMahon Stadium, 7 p.m.), the Stampeders are going to have three healthy running backs available for the first time in almost a month and that’s going to make for a difficult decision for the coaching staff.
One of either Morris, Jackson or Terry Williams is likely going to need to be left off the roster.
Jackson started the season as the team’s No. 1 option and has rushed for 603 yards in seven games.
He’s been out for the last two, though, and Morris stepped up in a big way, rushing for 193 yards in the two games and scoring three rushing and two receiving touchdowns in that spell.
Williams, meanwhile, has been the Stamps primary kick- and punt-return option all year and has three punt-return touchdowns to go along with 583 yards.
At Wednesday’s practice, however, Morris took more reps as a returner than normal, perhaps signalling the Stamps are eager to use him and Jackson while Williams sits against the Argos.
“I feel good with what Terry has done,” said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson. “I (wanted) to make sure if we go a different route, everyone’s ready to go, but Terry has been explosive and I feel like with (Marken Michel and Lemar Durant), we have some good options back there.
“It’s been a while since Romar’s back in there. If we go that way, I at least wanted him to have a chance to return a few kicks.… He’s done it before, it’s not like he can’t do it, but I’ve been happy with how Terry’s been playing.”
Whoever is in, it’s unlikely that the odd man out is going to do much griping about the decision in the media. All three are pushing each other, after all, and there seems to be an understanding that having to earn playing time is helping everyone improve.
In the long run, that’s the most important thing.
“We’re all pretty much competing so we can all get better as a running back group and an offence,” Morris said. “Just us coming out every day and trying to be better than the other person, it’s not just for selfish reasons, it’s for the team.” Jackson echoed that sentiment. “All I know is (Morris) put four (touchdowns) on the board ... and the game before that he took care of his business, too,” Jackson said. “That’s what we talk about every single day in our room. You’re trying to do what the guy in front of you can do and we want to keep on building.”
NO WILLIAMS
Ucambre Williams was close, but the Stampeders will be without their starting centre for the third week in a row when they take on the Argos
Williams hurt his knee before the Labour Day rematch against the Eskimos in Edmonton. Spencer Wilson filled in for that game, while Nila Kasitati stepped up on the offensive line the next week against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
It’s Kasitati who will get the call this weekend as Williams did not participate in Wednesday’s practice and was ruled out by Dickenson.
“That one’s going to be a lock. Unfortunately, Ucambre can’t get healthy enough,” Dickenson said. “Gave it a good go, but is just not there.
“(Kasitati) is solid … he’s got a lot of improving left to do, he’s a tough kid. Mentally, just needs to see different looks, handle it, be a good communicator, all those types of things.… There’s a reason we kept him. All along we thought he’s a good (player) who could play centre and help us out and I thought he played pretty well last week.”
NOTES
It remains unclear whether Ciante Evans will be available for the Stamps. The all-star corner has participated in practice all week, but Troy Stoudermire got the majority of first-team reps Wednesday … According to the CFL, the combined records of the Stampeders’ remaining opponents is 3243. Based on winning percentage (.427), no other team has an easier remaining schedule.