Stamps preparing for trench warfare

The Calgary Stampeders are convinced that Sunday’s West Division Final is going to be decided in the trenches.

Whether it’s the Stamps or the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the team that qualifies for the Grey Cup is likely to be the one whose defensive line can have its way with the opposing offensive line.

But while a CFL defensive line’s effectiveness is often measured by how many sacks they get, the Stampeders d-line believes that it’s a little more complicated than that.

“I think first down is extremely important,” said Stampeders defensive tackle Micah Johnson, his team’s nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player. “We’ve got to keep them to second and longs, because, if you keep them to second and two, three or four, they’ve got the whole playbook, and that’s where it becomes a very difficult task.

“To me, I think the main thing is that pass rushing gets glorified, but it’s stopping the run.” It’s easy to see where Johnson is coming from.

The last time the Stamps played the Bombers, on Oct. 26, the Calgarians were able to sack Winnipeg QB Matt Nichols three times. After a years-long stretch in which they managed to limit running back Andrew Harris, however, he ran for 88 yards and had 44 receiving yards.

In part, that’s the result of Harris being arguably the most talented running back in the league. He’s a dual-threat, and was due a big game against the Stamps.

But the Stampeders were also contending with a tough Bombers offensive line that is specifically designed to open holes for Harris, and the Calgary crew knows they’re in for a fight on Sunday (2:30 p.m., McMahon Stadium, TSN, 770 CHQR).

“They’re big up front, they nasty, they physical, they some big boys,” said Stamps defensive end Cordarro Law. “We’re up for a challenge this week. They’re good, too, they ain’t just big.”

Despite the considerable challenge that the Bombers present, the Stampeders d-line is the sort of group that can present anyone problems.

They’ve largely limited Harris in games prior to their last matchup, after all, and were one of the teams involved in an honestly bizarre five-way tie for the league-lead in sacks, with 45.

That number might have been higher had Law not missed nine games this season, but even with the 30-year-old out there’s a strong argument to be made that the Stampeders had the most dominant defensive line in the CFL in 2018.

NO SECRETS AT THIS POINT

The Stampeders held a closed practice on Thursday and that meant there aren’t many updates regarding who is playing where.

But it sure didn’t sound like the Stamps were working on a bunch of super-secret plays.

“To be honest, nothing different,” said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson. “I wouldn’t expect you guys (the media) to report certain things anyways, but at times (closed practices) keep the focus on the guys.”

WIDE RECEIVER OPTIONS

Dickenson also didn’t provide any real update about which Americans will play receiver on Sunday. The Stamps have five options available but are likely to have only three starting spots. At Wednesday’s practice, there was no real indication about who might be the front-runners.

“Wherever we go, we’re going to trust that group, and we’re going to try to play well. That’s what we’re trying to do,” he said.