Stampeders’ receivers an embarrassment of riches

CALGARY — Bo, meet Marquay and Anthony. They can catch, too.

OK, re-introductions weren’t required.

But Calgary Stampeders slotbacks Marquay McDaniel and Anthony Parker were largely forgotten men in the season opener.

“Hey, Bo! I need to get the ball a little bit over here,” Parker said with a laugh after Wednesday’s workout at McMahon Stadium in preparation for Friday’s tilt in Montreal against Nik Lewis’s Alouettes.

McDaniel was held to one catch for six yards while Parker was shut out completely as the Hamilton TigerCats elected to stack the box.

That opened things up on the outside and produced the first episode of The Jeff Fuller Show.

The big wideout had nine catches for 148 yards and was named a CFL Top Performer for Week 1.

“They were dropping everyone to the inside,” McDaniel said. “They did that in the Grey Cup, too. But you’ve got to play one-on-one outside when you play that kind of defence.

“Before the game, I said, ‘Whoever’s guarding Jeff, good luck.’ And you saw what happened. You can’t guard him one on one. No one can. To be that big and be that fast, and he can jump, and he can catch. There’s nothing he can’t do.”

Parker was in full agreement. And while he wants to see as many balls as possible, he certainly understands why Fuller was the main target against the Tabbies.

“If they’re trying to cover those guys (Fuller and Joe West) one on one, you’re going to take your chances,” Parker said. “When you look at Fuller, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone make a play on him, one on one, yet.

“Until that happens, I imagine we’re going to keep trying to get him the ball.”

McDaniel is a team guy, stressing he won’t be demanding more action as long as the team is winning.

But he’s used to being the go-to guy after leading the team in receiving the past two seasons.

“That’s just how it goes,” he said.

With the Stamps’ embarrassment of riches at all of the receiver spots, there could be a different featured option every week.

McDaniel said patience will be a necessary virtue.

“I think it’s been like that since I’ve been here (2012),” McDaniel said. “Nik was always getting 100, I could get 100, Romby (Bryant), Mo (Price).

“That’s just how our offence is. Any given week, you just have to be ready.”