Even a win for Calgary membership cannot change 2024 debacle and what comes from it in CFL low season
Article content material
The final sport of the 2024 CFL season for the Calgary Stampeders could possibly be — and must be — the swan track for most of the staff’s present contributors.
Not as a result of they’re going out on a excessive observe.
Removed from it.
In reality, the one candy chime coming from the ultimate experience of the yr can be a win — the primary for the staff in 9 straight video games and the primary street certainly one of what’s been an unpleasant marketing campaign — or such an unbelievable private efficiency that it modifications the way in which an underachiever is considered heading into what is predicted to be an low season formed by main transition.
Commercial 2
Article content material
“No matter motive you should discover to go on the market and carry out, you must do this,” stated Stampeders veteran linebacker Cam Choose, himself named the staff’s nominee for 2 league awards — the Most Excellent Defensive Participant and the Most Excellent Canadian.
“No matter it takes to gas your self or get you motivated …” continued Choose. “And for those who’re not, you’ve bought to search out it, as a result of that is our job on the finish of the day.”
On the finish of the season, there will likely be modifications with the Calgary membership.
Most definitely wholesale ones after what’s been a last-place 4-12-1 debacle, with one final likelihood to make that document — and maybe themselves as people — take a look at least a little bit higher Saturday night time in opposition to the host Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-7-1) at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium (5 p.m., TSN, QR Calgary).
Advisable from Editorial
-
‘That might be cool’: QB Tommy Stevens on chasing Stamps’ TD document
-
Cam Choose double nominee, Reggie Begelton third-time saluted for CFL awards
-
QB questions linger for Stamps heading into CFL’s season finale
After all, there are not any video games past this one since playoffs fell from their palms just a few weeks again, ending a 19-year post-season run for the franchise.
Midday Information Roundup
Article content material
Commercial 3
Article content material
“Clearly, it sucks when the yr ends on a brief (non-playoff) observe,” stated Stamps QB Tommy Stevens. “However we’re approaching Saturday identical to we’d another sport. You wish to go into it desirous to win.
“So we’re doing no matter we are able to all through the week to arrange for it, and we’re going in opposition to a very good opponent.”
In doing so, the Stamps are ready to show again to Jake Maier at quarterback.
The veteran makes his return to the starter’s function after being benched twice earlier within the season and with the starter of the final two weeks, Matt Shiltz, sidelined by an damage to his non-throwing shoulder.
“We’re going there to win, and I consider Jake provides us the most effective likelihood,” stated Stamps GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. “The fellows rallied and had a fantastic week of observe.”
Apparently Maier included.
“My mentality since I’ve been right here is that I used to be going to play each soccer sport that I used to be given the power to,” Maier stated. “That is no completely different.
“Positive, I’ve been out and in of the lineup the final month or so. However … yeah … we’ve bought yet one more on the street, and (Regina’s) a very enjoyable place to play.”
Commercial 4
Article content material
It gained’t be a lot enjoyable with no win, nonetheless.
And enjoyable has eluded the staff for months now, with no final-game win actually in a position to change that.
And even prone to alter Maier’s personal future with the Stamps.
“I’m positive when this sport ends and the few weeks or months after, we’ll have loads to speak about,” Maier stated. “However on the finish of the day, I’m on the market with these guys for yet one more sport.
“I’m tremendous grateful that I’ve a possibility to take action, as a result of I understand how uncommon that’s for somebody in my scenario to be thrust again into a possibility to play.”
That stated, the Stamps’ misadventures of 2024 are actually not all on Maier.
Questionable teaching and an ineffective offence — usually no-showing for quarters at a time — can share within the blame.
As can the defence, which has mysteriously gone lacking for lengthy stretches of the season.
Certainly, the staff — the entire of it, beset with restricted expertise — has fallen flat.
“Sadly while you lose that many, there’s actually not an isolation factor or one thing you possibly can determine,” added Dickenson. “The aim for us is to indicate up and play effectively and end.
“It’s identical to anything … you’re making an attempt to verify your individuals know you’re knowledgeable soccer participant or knowledgeable coach and that you’ll present up and do your job to the most effective of your skill with most effort.
“We’ll present up. I’m relying on the fellows to present me their greatest, and hopefully, we’ll come out of there with a win.”
SHORT YARDAGE
QB Logan Bonner checks into the Stamps’ lineup for the primary time since Shiltz’s return from an ankle damage about six weeks in the past. It’s Shiltz that he replaces on the QB record of energetic gamers … Additionally making his method again on to the roster is RB Peyton Logan after being a wholesome scratch final week … To make method for Logan, RB Kylin Hill comes out of the lineup.
Article content material
