Mark Stephen
CFL.ca
In many ways, 2010 was a memorable season for the Calgary Stampeders. The team put together a league-best 13 wins, scored 626 points, boasted the league’s MOP in Henry Burris, watched a rookie kicker win the scoring title and led the league in takeaways.
Together those achievements allowed the Stampeders to host the West Final. But a bitter loss in that game to Saskatchewan showed the team they also had some tinkering to do with their roster.
Thus the mantra at McMahon Stadium – build on the successes while addressing the gaps on the roster.
The bulk of the off-season was spent re-signing or extending many of the core players. Linebacker Juwan Simpson, the West defensive player of the year nominee, was extended. Also inking pacts were quarterback Drew Tate, running back Jon Cornish, receiver Ken Yon Rambo, CFL touchdown leader Romby Bryant, linebacker Malik Jackson and offensive lineman Steve Myddleton.
The message the club was sending was to ensure the core players were kept in the fold.
However, the realities of time and free agency meant the Stampeders still lost several performers from the 2010 squad.
Veteran receiver Ryan Thelwell and offensive lineman Rob Lazeo both retired. The leadership of both will clearly be missed in the Stampeders dressing room.
Lazeo was voted the winner of the President’s Ring for 2010, a player selected award with leadership and determination as two of the criteria. Nice reward for a player who was a part-time starter last season. Thelwell was also a much admired player who won enormous respect battling back from an Achilles injury in 2009.
CFL All-Star cornerback Brandon Browner also left the Stamps, heading south to join the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. Fellow All-Star corner Dwight Anderson jumped to Montreal.
Salary cap considerations also forced the team to pass on re-signing CFL Most Outstanding Lineman Ben Archibald. The well-regarded Archibald moved to the B.C. Lions. The Stampeders believe they have enough offensive line depth to fill his void. Time will tell.
Veteran safety Wes Lysack is also gone jumping to Toronto while defensive lineman Tom Johnson will, like Browner, try his hand in the NFL with the New Orelans Saints.
The Stamps were able to use the free agent period to address some issues on their roster and fill holes left by the departing players though.
Most notable was their signing of kick return specialist Larry Taylor, formerly of Montreal.
Returns—particulary on punts—-were a big issue for the Stampeders in 2011. Opponents averaged 11.4 yards per return while the Stamps averaged just 6.4 yards per punt return. That yardage adds up over the course of a season and the Stampeders watched as many opponents had an explosive designated returner on their roster burn them. So they jumped into the market and secured one of their own in Taylor.
To address their coverage issues on special teams, they picked up Tim St. Pierre (ex-Edmonton). Another big free agent signing was defensive back Geoff Tisdale who was brought over from Hamilton. Tisdale will have the task of filling the shoes of the NFL-bound Browner.
While there were plenty of changes on the roster the coaching staff may actually have been the area with the most substantial turnover. Defensive backs coach Cory Chamblin jumped to Hamilton to assume defensive co-ordinator responsibilities. Running backs coach Rick Campbell’s one-year stint with the Stampeders ended as he returned to his Edmonton roots. Defensive line coach Cornell Brown took on a role with his alma mater, Virginia Tech.
Despite losing some key pieces continuity remains the buzzword around McMahon Stadium. Most of the same cast that from 2010 will be back and looking to build on last year’s regular season success. There will also be an air of excitement on returns as the team hopes Larry Taylor can match yardage with some of the other return kings in the Canadian Football League.
