The contest may not count in the Canadian Football League standings, but don’t tell the players Wednesday’s pre-season opener between the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions is meaningless.
Not only is the 7 p.m. contest at McMahon Stadium the first game action of the 2011 Canadian Football League season, it’s also the first serious test for the veterans trying to hang on to their jobs and the rookies battling to earn a spot on Calgary’s final roster.
Wednesday marks the debut of numerous Stampeders players including the members of the draft class of 2011. That group features Okotoks’ Anthony Parker, the University of Calgary receiver who was Calgary’s top pick, and Calgarian Matt Walter, who is also a Dinos product.
Another rookie in the spotlight is Canadian quarterback and 2010 Hec Crighton winner Brad Sinopoli.
While fans will get their first look at the rookies — not to mention free-agent acquisitions Larry Taylor, Geoff Tisdale and Tim St. Pierre — in a Calgary uniform, it’s also a chance to renew acquaintances with returning stars such as 2010 CFL Most Outstanding Player winner Henry Burris and Most Outstanding Defensive Player Juwan Simpson.
Just as a refresher course, here’s a position-by-position look at who is back from the Stampeders team that posted a 13-5 record in 2010 and finished first in the West Division.
Quarterback: Henry Burris, Drew Tate
Running back: Joffrey Reynolds, Jon Cornish, Rob Cote, Rafael Little
Receiver: Ken-Yon Rambo, Nik Lewis, Romby Bryant, Arjei Franklin, Deon Murphy, Landan Talley, Johnny Forzani, Jabari Arthur
Offensive line: Dimitri Tsoumpas, Tim O’Neill, Jon Gott, Steve Myddelton, Oamo Culbreath, Edwin Harrison, Stanley Bryant, Gerald Cadogan, Zac Carlson
Defensive line: DeVone Claybrooks, Charleston Hughes, Robert McCune, Justin Phillips, Corey Mace, Khari Long, Ian DeGannes-Shaw
Linebackers: Malik Jackson, Juwan Simpson, Brandon Isaac, Marc Calixte, Karl McCartney
Defensive backs: Milt Collins, Brandon Smith, Johnnie Dixon, Keon Raymond, Eric Fraser, Taurean Allen, Raymond Brown
Kickers/long snapper: Burke Dales, Rob Maver, Randy Chevrier
The opposition on Wednesday will be provided by Wally Buono’s Lions.
BC finished the 2010 season on a three-game winning streak to finish 8-10 and claim third place and the final playoff spot in the West Division.
Returning Lions veterans include quarterback Travis Lulay, running back Jamal Robertson, receivers Geroy Simon and Paris Jackson and defenders Korey Banks, Solomon Elimimian, Brent Johnson and Aaron Hunt.
Newcomers include Calgarian Marco Iannuzzi and former Stampeders receiver Kamau Peterson.