Jake Maier Period could also be over for CFL membership
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The Jake Maier Period seems to be over in Calgary.
Dave Dickenson is trending in direction of turning to a special quarterback for 2024’s third instalment of the Battle of Alberta.
The Calgary Stampeders GM/head coach stated Tuesday he’s doubtless handing the ball off to veteran backup Matt Shiltz.
This after a seventh straight recreation with out a win — one final Friday to the BC Lions which noticed long-time starter Maier once more commit premature turnovers in one more loss.
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“I positively really feel like I gave Matt extra reps (Tuesday),” stated Dickenson, whose workforce was formally knocked out of the CFL playoff race over the weekend.
“You realize, I do assume Matt had a great series-and-a-half — principally — in B.C.,” continued Dickenson. “And I do actually really feel like we now have choices. However … yeah … I’m positively seeking to give Matt extra reps this week and see the place it goes from there.”
Such a shift at QB would finally see Shiltz beginning for the Stampeders (4-10-1) in a number of the rival Edmonton Elks (5-11) on Saturday at McMahon Stadium (1 p.m., TSN, QR Calgary) for the workforce’s ultimate regular-season residence recreation of the marketing campaign.
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Maier, on 11,362 profession passing yards, has began all however one of many Stamps’ final 42 video games relationship again to the halfway mark of the 2022 CFL marketing campaign.
“It’s nonetheless a bit of bit methods away from the sport, however I took some extra reps (Tuesday), so we’re simply going to see the way it all shakes out all through the week,” echoed Shiltz. “But when I get that chance to play, I’m going to be simply as excited as every other week and be actually able to go get a win.
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“So simply trying ahead to it.”
The decision to arms for The Battle would mark Shiltz’s first begin for the Stamps, after signing on with the Pink and White within the low season.
“My first style of (the Battle of Alberta), so if I do get to play, I’m excited for that,” stated the 31-year-old Shiltz, who threw for 4,357 yards and 19 touchdowns over six earlier seasons mixed with the Montreal Alouettes after which the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
“On the finish of the day, it’s for lots of men that will not have gotten alternatives all year long that get to showcase who they’re, what they will do as a participant and sort of construct on the top of this 12 months, shifting into the following season and the low season to sort of put their finest foot ahead and put their resumé on movie, if you’ll. So I believe it’s not going to be any kind of situation on how arduous guys are going to play. That can to win — that may to play — is all the time going to be there.”
Given the current winless string of the Stamps, Shiltz may need been a probable candidate to step into the starter’s position earlier.
However the native of St. Charlies, Ailing., was sidelined by an ankle damage for seven video games, taking him out of the equation.
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As an alternative, Logan Bonner received the beginning position for the Labour Day Replay, when Maier — who’s handed for 3,518 yards, 19 TDs and 14 INTs on 336-of-463 effectivity — was benched the primary time amid this present skid.
“That’s positively not the way you envision your season going … getting damage in observe,” Shiltz stated. “So it’s been robust mentally, for positive. However you simply get up and on daily basis is a blessing and also you’re simply grateful to be there, as a result of there’s lots of people that need to be on this place that aren’t.
“So you continue to strategy on daily basis with that gratitude and that thankfulness that you simply’re nonetheless right here. After which when a chance comes round, you profit from it, whether or not it’s Week 4 or 16, 17 or 18.”
In Week 18’s 32-15 drop to the Lions, beginning QB Maier was environment friendly sufficient with 19-of-27, passing for 164 yards and one TD. However his two premature turnovers within the fourth quarter — an interception for a pick-six and a fumble on a knocked-down backwards cross for a scoop-six — spelled the distinction within the ‘must-win’ contest.
Maier was then tagged with one other fourth-quarter INT — the workforce’s third turnover on consecutive possessions — on a ball that went via the fingers of normally dependable receiver Marken Michel.
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Shiltz got here in and mopped up the mess, ending off the ultimate 4:54 of the competition. In these two drives, the previous NCAA Butler Bulldogs star went 4-of-5 for 99 yards, along with his greatest second being a bomb — after stepping as much as keep away from a rush — over prime of the Lions’ defence to hit veteran receiver Reggie Begelton in stride for a 53-yard landing connection.
“Yeah … a bit of bit,” stated Shiltz, when requested if that strike renewed his personal confidence that he can nonetheless play the sport after sitting on the sideline all season. “You realize … you continue to received to make the throw — you’ve received to place it on him, and he’s nonetheless received to catch it and run.
“However what’s so nice about soccer is that it’s the final word workforce recreation. And when you get again in there and knock the mud off, if you’ll, it’s fairly enjoyable.”
However the losses — which have mounted beneath Maier’s steerage — are not any enjoyable in any respect, together with Friday’s one which received away at BC Place.
“It was robust as a workforce,” added Shiltz. “Clearly, you need to come out with a win.
“However having the ability to get the primary reps of the season was good. It was good to get in there with the fellows and develop a bit of little bit of chemistry with them, and I’m trying ahead to constructing on it.”
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Quick yardage
The Stamps introduced in former NFL QB P.J. Walker in an fascinating transfer Tuesday after buying and selling with the Toronto Argonauts for his negotiation rights a number of weeks again. “He’s only a man that, for me, I wanted to have a look at,” Dickenson stated. “And I’m glad he’s no less than giving us that chance.” The 30-year-old native of Elizabeth, N.J., was beneath centre in 21 NFL video games from 2020-23, making 9 begins mixed with the Carolina Panthers and the Cleveland Browns … WR Cam Echols (head) was not at observe Tuesday, with Dickenson saying he’s nonetheless exhibiting concussion signs after being on the receiving finish of a helmet-to-helmet hit when he was returning a kickoff. “I’d prefer to see him — all of us would,” Dickenson stated. “Hopefully, he’s right here (Wednesday).” Echols was tended to by medical employees for fairly awhile throughout recreation stoppage … WR Jalen Philpot (sickness), WR Ishmael Hyman (calf) and DB Demerio Houston (sickness) had been additionally absent from Tuesday’s session … WR Clark Barnes (knee), who missed Friday’s tilt, participated absolutely in observe.
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