Stamps, Esks putting it all on the line
WEST FINAL: Calgary’s offensive linemen up against Edmonton defensive front in latest Battle of Alberta
CALGARY — Apart from a sturdy pair of shoes and some warm undergarments, Spencer Wilson may need a pair of earplugs on Sunday afternoon.
The Calgary Stampeders’ right guard will be across the trench from Edmonton Eskimos’ chatty Odell Willis and could be in for an earful or two.
“I just block him out,” shrugged Wilson. “I don’t listen to anything he says anyway.”
One thing the Stamps’ stout offensive line will unquestionably be in for is a definite tussle in Sunday’s West Division final against arguably the best defensive front in the CFL, led by the garrulous end Willis and ably aided by the likes of Almondo Sewell, Eddie Steele and Willie Jefferson.
“They’re good all over the board,” said Stampeders’ left guard Shane Bergman. “Against Saskatchewan, number 95 on their team (Gregory Alexandre) had a great day and he’s not even a starter. So you have to be ready for everyone. Everyone on that team is good.”
Alexandre, a Montreal product, was named top Canadian of the week for contributing a couple of sacks in the Eskimos’ win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in last week’s West semifinal.
The Eskimos defence, as a whole, is formidable, and it all starts with the big guys up front.
Edmonton is second only to Hamilton in allowing the least running yards per game, 95.9, fewest yards passing, 206.7, fewest yards on offence, 279.4, and is second in sacks behind Saskatchewan’s 55.
It’s a tall order indeed for what is, on the flip side, generally considered the best O-line in the league.
The Stamps’ line has allowed the least quarterback takedowns as well as opening up some dandy lanes for the running attack. “They’re a great group,” said Stamps’ offensive line coach Pat Del Monaco of the Eskimos.
“They’re talented, they’re physical. It’s another challenge just like the other games were. But so far so good (in terms of preparation).
“They have a good blend of everything. They have good power inside, good speed outside, good speed inside. They change up angles really well. They do a nice job of creating leverage angles for them on defence. We just have to play with our eyes and move our feet.”
As opposed to defences which may rely on a man or two, the Esks differ in that respect, as well.
“Absolutely,” added Del Monaco. “I think you’ve put it best. Every guy that they put out there can make a play.”
“Yeah, it’s a big challenge,” added Wilson.
“It’s the Western final against a very strong opponent. We’ve played them three times this year so far and we seem to match up well against them. They do have some studs on their defence all over the board and some very strong players. “They run some unorthodox defences as well. They’re not just a standard 4-2, they run some other stuff off that which we need to study and be ready for.”
This will be Bergman’s first start in a CFL playoff game and the 6-foot-7, 330-pounder out of Western can’t wait for the opening kickoff.
“I’m super excited,” he grinned. “Going up against big Sewell and Steele for my first time in a West final game ...
“I think as an offensive line we’re excited. We haven’t seen them since the re-match for the Labour Day Classic.
“We know they’re a good bunch of players, so we just have to prepare this week to play hard against them. They play with a little bit of a different edge than most teams play with. It’s a different atmosphere when you play them.”