CFL.ca
Bert Faibish
Ticats.ca
From missing almost two seasons due to injury to signing a contract that ensures he’ll stay in Hamilton for two more seasons, Dave Stala’s life has taken some dramatic twists and turns recently.
“I think the organization wanted to see that I can stay healthy, and thankfully I’ve done that,” said Stala. “I’ve had the most fun that I’ve ever had playing here over these last couple of years and I’m glad that I’ll be sticking around.”
Stala missed the majority of the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Montreal Alouettes due to a foot injury and was subsequently signed by the Ticats in April of 2009.
After changing his diet and workout habits during his rehab, Stala put together a stellar season with the Black and Gold, recording 67 receptions for 751 yards and two touchdowns.
Now in his second season with the team, Stala has already eclipsed his 2009 totals in yardage and touchdowns and with six games remaining on the schedule will surely surpass all of his 2009 stats.
One of the reasons for his success is the rapport he’s developed with quarterback Kevin Glenn.
“Dave is one of those guys that really knows football, so he’s going to make sure that he puts himself in a good situation and makes the right decision when he’s running his routes,” said Glenn.
It’s the extra work that Stala puts in off the field that make him such a reliable receiver and dependable mover of first-down markers.
“A lot of the time, Dave sits in on our quarterback meetings to pick our brain and try to find out what we’re thinking on certain plays,” said Glenn.
“Guys may say that he does that to suck up to the quarterbacks to get more balls thrown his way, but I think any receiver that does those things is going to have a successful career,” joked Glenn.
Health has not been the only factor in the rejuvenation of Dave Stala’s career, the chance to play in front of his hometown fans has been a thrill for the veteran receiver.
“Playing at home every other week has been amazing and now I get to do it for two more years,” he said.
While there’s no doubt that Kevin Glenn has his share of weapons to distribute the ball to, when it’s second down and the team needs a big play, put your money on 88.
