CFL
It may have been a routine play in the middle of a routine practice, but it spoke the commitment to detail the Stampeders are trying to maintain.
During a drill, Calgary quarterback Drew Tate went into his cadence. The defensive line went into its stance. Suddenly defensive lineman Shawn Lemon jumped out of his stance. During a game, that would have earned him a penalty flag. In practice? It earned him a quick lap around McMahon Stadium.
The lap doesn’t rise to the ranks of cruel and unusual punishment but, rather than just start the play over, the Stampeders wanted to send a message that the bar is being set very high for the final three games of the regular season. Not to mention the playoffs.
The Stampeders know they have three games to hone themselves for the West Final. Already they can hear the cries about their great regular seasons and their not-as-great playoffs.
However, the Stampeders must also work on managing their roster for the final three games. They must also keep an eye on the West Final. To that end, running back star Jon Cornish will sit this week’s Saskatchewan game out. Cornish returned to action in Winnipeg, racking up 160 yards rushing.
Post-game his leg began to bother him and when it didn’t improve during the week, the decision was made to sit him. His status for the last two regular season games is undecided.
There is no decision to be made on the status of quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. The gregarious Texan will be under center for the Stampeders against Saskatchewan.
“The mind-set is to get better every single week,” said Mitchell, “we’re not going to relax at all, we’re going to pay attention to detail and each week finding something to get better at.”
Mitchell is not going to become worried about preserving the health of himself or others for the stretch drive.
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“That’s part of the game. We got guys paid sitting behind you,” said Mitchell, “we’re pretty confident in the guys who are number two, number three, number four. So whatever happens. we’re going to try to come out here every week and get better.”
Part of building that depth came earlier this week, when the team brought back former number one overall draft choice Chris Bauman. He will be on the practice roster for now as the Stamps needed another Canadian threat, following the season-ending injury to Brad Sinopoli.
The team has also activated receiver Eric Rogers, who will make his Canadian Football League debut against Saskatchewan. Rogers takes over from Joe West, who has been nursing a hamstring tug.
“I’ve been here since the first bye week and every week I’ve learned more of the playbook,”commented Rogers, a product of Cal-Lutheran. “Just practising out there, the guys made me feel comfortable, so I’m excited about that and the guys are going to help me out no matter what.”
Sounds like Rogers has fit right in, learning details that will help him stay on the field and continue the Stampeders’ strong season.
