Higher consideration to element wanted, say veterans, in wake of 2024 CFL debacle
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Dropped particulars did within the Calgary Stampeders in the course of the 2024 CFL season.
That was the consensus sentiment amongst these Stampeders tapped to do exit interviews with the media Sunday.
So due to it, there can be a lot consideration to element paid to the roster — on all fronts of it, together with each gamers and the teaching employees — within the upcoming low season.
Change is, certainly, coming.
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“Yeah … I undoubtedly suppose as a company, you do what’s the very best to win — and we haven’t performed that,” mentioned Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. “So we’re prepared and ready to enhance. And there are some areas I undoubtedly have focused.
“We’re going to need to do some fixing. I’m assured we are able to do this.”
Which may begin with Dickenson himself, relying on conversations had with president Jay McNeil and particular adviser John Hufnagel.
Whether or not the CFL veteran returns is the primary merchandise on the agenda.
And if that’s the case, does he come again within the twin position of GM and head coach that he’s held for the final two years?
The wily ol’ QB says he’s able to get to work on the longer term for the Crimson and White.
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“I’ve a plan,” mentioned Dickenson, 51. “I do anticipate it to work and simply need to see the way it goes as we transfer ahead. Like I really feel assured I’ve bought an thought of the place this workforce fell brief. And for myself, I do suppose there’s some issues as a company we have to do higher.
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“I’ll in all probability have extra solutions right here in a couple of days.”
Good factor, as a result of there weren’t sufficient solutions in the course of the 5-12-1 debacle of 2024.
Simply an increasing number of questions, because the losses — together with eight of their final 10 video games — mounted.
The faces of every unit — offensive captain Reggie Begelton, defensive standout Cam Decide and kicking legend René Paredes — really feel like they know what went mistaken.
“This 12 months was a testomony to particulars and professionalism — simply all people taking a look at themselves and asking themselves how a lot they love this sport,” Begelton mentioned. “And that comes when it comes to you doing the additional work and also you not eager to let your teammates down. So that you do the best factor each time — simply being the very best model of your self. If you happen to try to be the very best model of your self, then I promise numerous good issues will occur.
“We’ve bought numerous younger guys who haven’t had that steerage,” continued Begelton. “Ignorance is bliss, and it comes with expertise, and hopefully, , numerous them have gotten a 12 months underneath their belt now. So it’s a kind of issues the place you say, ‘Are you going to take that subsequent degree — do you actually wish to win? Or are you right here for a cheque?‘ So it’s a character-building kind of 12 months, and we’ll see who truly did work in an low season within the spring.”
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That’s who truly pays consideration to — and respects — the main points of their soccer duties.
“It was the main points,” agreed all-star linebacker Decide. “I feel generally we strayed away from the main points, particularly in large moments within the sport, which is whenever you wish to be on high of them. Generally it’s possibly guys even making an attempt to do an excessive amount of who’re having a great sport.
“So I really feel prefer it wasn’t simply numerous evident points,” continued Decide. “I felt, truthfully, no matter what occurred, it was all of the little issues that added up. Possibly you add them collectively, that may be a evident subject. So undoubtedly we have to be extra fine-tuned on the main points, sport to sport.
“We’d be taking part in a great sport, after which the final half of the fourth quarter — possibly even the entire fourth quarter — it’s like we don’t know how one can play soccer. So it’s robust as a result of we are able to do it and we’ve been doing it the identical night time.”
After such a sloppy season, no person is exempt from the low season enterprise now at hand.
The method started Sunday with exit interviews, medical checks and clearing up paperwork. Then after a workforce celebration Monday, every participant and coach heads house understanding — ought to they return — the 2025 Stampeders can be a a lot different-looking group within the spring.
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It needs to be after the 12 months that wasn’t.
“We’ll begin with our particular person conferences,” Dickenson mentioned. “We’ll see the way it matches. However … yeah … all people’s bought to be higher.
“I anticipate there needs to be some change within the workforce and the best way we do issues,” continued the GM/head coach. “I imply … you’ve bought to get your choices first. You already know … CFL free company doesn’t even begin until the center of February. So you can also make all these plans to do that and do this, however you might not be capable of do them. You’re on the mercy of what’s obtainable. However we’ll begin out and we’ll have a look at all the things from personnel to scouting to communication to teaching to positional conferences to energy and conditioning and coaching.
“We have to take a giant breath, and you then go have a look at it and attempt to discover the best stability.”
And hopefully return with a greater really feel for 2025 to maneuver the Stampeders again within the route of their excessive commonplace of the final 20 CFL seasons.
“As a participant that has been right here for an extended, very long time and loves town and loves this group, we’ve been declining the previous 5 years — I’ll be straight sincere,” added super-kicker Parades, who confirmed he’ll return to the workforce — at age 40 — in 2025. “You already know … we haven’t received a playoff sport since 2018. You already know … we haven’t had a house sport within the playoffs since ’18. And final 12 months, we barely made the playoffs. And this 12 months, we didn’t. So it’s robust for me to say, however we’ve been declining as a company.
“Issues have gotten to alter.”
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