Stampeders herald new blood forward of Friday’s must-win CFL tilt with host Lions
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The Calgary Stampeders are in search of one thing — something — to spark them late in what’s been a battle of a CFL season.
Cue new gamers.
A bunch extra, in truth — with 4 coming into the fold on the heels of the bye week and extra anticipated Tuesday — in an effort to attempt to halt a six-game winless skid and climb again into the playoff chase.
“We’ve obtained a few additional spots on the observe roster,” mentioned Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. “We had been speaking to some guys, and we had been in a position to persuade them to pop up.
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“They’ve made an influence with the vitality at observe and the compete stage,” Dickenson mentioned. “I imply … it’s what it’s if you see one other good soccer participant proper behind you. Some guys which have performed in different skilled leagues can clearly make all people higher.
“It wouldn’t shock me if a few of these guys play.”
Maybe as early as this Friday — throughout Week 18 of the common schedule — when the Stampeders (4-9-1) journey to tackle the host BC Lions at BC Place (8 p.m., TSN, QR Calgary).
Dickenson & Co. go into the must-win affair 5 factors again of the Lions for the third and remaining playoff spot within the West Division.
Since shedding to the Saskatchewan Roughriders (7-7-1) — by a 37-29 rating — 11 days in the past at McMahon Stadium, the Stamps have seen the highest three groups within the West put a ways between them and the Edmonton Elks (5-10) within the post-season race.
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‘We will nonetheless do that’: Struggling Stamps imagine playoffs inside attain
The one bit of excellent information is the Stamps have performed one fewer sport than the remainder of their division rivals.
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However they solely have 4 tilts left — together with three away from dwelling — to show their season round and someway make the playoffs for a nineteenth straight CFL season.
And a loss on this upcoming problem would hold them from extending that phenomenal run.
“Final time we performed and obtained collectively, it was a tough one,” mentioned Dickenson, whose costs obtained right into a heated verbal argument with each other post-game within the dressing room. “There was numerous battle, and there was emotion.
“So guys had been excited (this week) to return again collectively and work. We imagine … we do. So now we have religion that we will get the job completed. We simply need that chance to attempt to get it completed.”
Maybe new blood can assist them pivot to the constructive.
The Pink and White have added 4 American gamers to their observe roster — receiver Jesiah Irish, linebacker Marquel Lee and defensive linemen Jett Bush and Brandon Matterson.
However the best way to significant enchancment has to start out with the core of the membership — these gamers tasked with the beginning assignments and liable for main the crew into battle.
“I undoubtedly really feel like this week we’ve picked it up coming into observe,” mentioned Stamps first-year defender lineman Justin Sambu, who’s labored his method into an inside job-share alongside the line of defense. “Once we got here into assembly (Monday) morning, all people was on a targeted vibe.
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“Then we got here out (on the sector) and all people was being tremendous adamant about getting sure strategies down — simply attempting to do stuff that we had been doing in a different way from final week — in order that we will come out on the sector and provides our greatest efficiency and get a win.”
At this level, the win is all that issues — or else it’s over for the Stamps in 2024 the place Gray Cup hopes are involved — though Dickenson is aware of the efficiency has to return by way of the method, in the beginning.
“I simply need them to be targeted and take a step ahead,” mentioned the top coach. “I would like us to get again to what I might think about elementary soccer.
“As an offence, you’ve obtained to personal that ball and transfer ahead. As a defence, we’ve simply obtained to sort out as a bunch of 12 and have that grit. Particular groups, identical factor.
“We will’t settle for up and down anymore,” added Dickenson. “We’ve simply need to ensure that we’re up. That’s the one method we’re going to get into this factor, discover our first win and, hopefully, get some momentum.”
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WR Clark Barnes (knee) was restricted in observe Monday, whereas 4 different fellow starters — OL Bryce Bell (calf), DL Josiah Coatney (knee), DB Branden Dozier (shoulder) and DB Kobe Williams (neck) — didn’t practise. DL Elliot Graham (hamstring) additionally missed the session … The Stampeders have launched RB B.J. Emmons, who appeared in 4 video games this season, carrying the ball 16 instances for 44 yards. The American again additionally added 5 catches for 56 yards … Essentially the most notable of the brand new additions is linebacker Lee, who has performed 45 NFL video games with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. “Marquel Lee’s in all probability essentially the most veteran man,” mentioned Dickenson. “He’s had success in different leagues, as effectively. He has size.” The 28-year-old former standout of the NCAA’s Wake Forest Demon Deacons recorded 115 complete tackles together with 71 solo stops in components of 4 seasons with the Raiders. Receiver/returner Irish, of the NCAA’s Oregon State Beavers — a man the Stamps have “had their eye on” — and d-linemen Bush, of the NCAA’s Texas Longhorns, and Matterson, of the NCAA’s UTSA Roadrunners, have solely camp expertise within the NFL … For a one-month interval each season, CFL groups are permitted to hold a further 5 practice-roster gamers — 15 as a substitute of the same old 10 — along with three spots for world gamers.
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