Update — June 22

Transactions            

The Stampeders released import defensive back Raymond Brown, import receiver Dudley Guice, import running back Rafael Little and non-import running back Jared Manchulenko.

Injuries

The following players missed Wednesday’s practice: non-import receivers Jabari Arthur and Arjei Franklin, non-import offensive linemen Jon Gott and Dimitri Tsoumpas, import offensive lineman Edwin Harrison, import defensive back Demetrice Morley and non-import defensive lineman Ian DeGannes-Shaw.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field for walkthrough from 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Main Camp — Day 16

Head coach and general manager had an important announcement for his team on Sunday night

“When I told the players last night in the meeting that today was the last day of two-a-days,” said Hufnagel, “they were fairly disappointed.”

Coach Huff was smiling when he said this, so he was probably kidding. To make sure, a couple of players were asked for their thoughts on the conclusion of that portion of camp that calls for an early-morning practices and then a later-afternoon session on the same day.

“The last of the two-a-days?” said running back Joffrey Reynolds. “I’ve been looking forward to this day.”

“It feels good,” chimed in defensive back Milt Collins.

In this day and age, a football player who enjoys two-a-days is about as rare as a leather helmet. That said, the players understand their value.

“It’s been a long camp,” said Reynolds. “You hate two-a-days but it’s a necessary evil because you’ve been away from football for so long and you’re just trying to knock the rust off and get back into it.”

“It is necessary because it’s a process of getting your body adapted to it,” said Collins. “After being here for four years now, I’m used to it but I’m still a human being and my body still hurts. But it’s nothing a little bit of ice can’t take care of.”

The Stamps will have single sessions the rest of the week leading up to Friday’s pre-season finale at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.

“We’re looking forward to the game in Edmonton on Friday,” said Reynolds. “It’s the last pre-season game before they really start counting, It’s an opportunity for myself and the entire team to get better. We didn’t have the showing we wanted to have here at home against BC in the pre-season opener and I’m looking forward to seeing how much the guys improve.”

THE LINEBACKERS’ NEW BOSS

The Stampeders have a new linebackers coach this season in the person of Dave Walkosky, a two-decade veteran of the U.S. college coaching ranks.

Walkosky, who most recently was the head coach at Tiffin University in Ohio, prepared for his arrival in the CFL by pouring over game film.

“What I did is watch every single snap of every single game last year,” he said. “I made sure I understood the motion and the waggles and got familiar with the formations. There are concepts behind every offence and once you have an understanding of the offence and what they’re doing, you have a better idea of how to stop them.

“After the snap, (Canadian football) is no different. Before the snap, it’s a different game. The big difference obviously is the size of the field and the athletes that you need to play this game is way different than in the U.S. You need guys at the linebacker position who are running like DBs and still be physical enough to stop the run.”

Accordingly, the contingent of linebackers at Stamps camp features a number of players who were moved from other positions. Of course, you can’t forget about a couple of standout holdovers from last year’s linebacking corps.

“I’m glad to have two returning guys in Malik (Jackson) and Juwan (Simpson) because they’re great leaders and they know the defence in and out,” said Walkosky. “Then you’ve the young guys like (2011 draft pick) Akwasi Antwi and other guys who played defensive end and now they’re linebackers and guys who were safeties who are now linebackers.

“But I think the uniqueness of what we do and what Coach (Chris) Jones does defensively stems from moving guys around. With the number of guys we travel with, you have to have guys who can play multiple positions. That’s a must in our defence.”

DAY 16 RECAP

Transactions            

None

Injuries

The following players missed both of Monday’s practices: non-import receiver Arjei Franklin, non-import offensive lineman Jon Gott, import offensive lineman Edwin Harrison, non-import kicker Rob Maver, and non-import defensive lineman Ian DeGannes-Shaw. Import defensive back Demetrice Morley and non-import offensive lineman Dimitri Tsoumpas missed the afternoon session.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field on Tuesday from 10:10 a.m.-12:20 p.m.

Main Camp — Day 15

For special teams coordinator Mark Kilam, it was the perfect early Father’s Day gift.

On Saturday morning, his wife Andrea gave birth to the couple’s second child as Hennessey Kit Kilam came into the world.

“She’s beautiful,” said Kilam, who was back to work at Stamps training camp on Sunday. “My first daughter (two-and-a-year old Jules) and Hennessey look almost the same. Hennessey has more of a round face but their features are very similar.

“What a terrific Father’s Day present. Beautiful — I couldn’t ask for any better.”

DAY 15 RECAP

Transactions   

The Stampeders activated non-import defensive lineman Ian DeGannes-Shaw and released import defensive lineman Thomas Majors.

Injuries

The following players missed Sunday’s session — non-import receiver Arjei Franklin, non-import offensive lineman Jon Gott and import quarterback Drew Tate.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field for two sessions on Monday. Practices run from 9:05-10:55 a.m. and 4:25-6:05 p.m.

*****

Main Camp — Day 14

Saturday was the training camp day head coac
h and general manager John Hufnagel turns off his hearing aids.

Yes, it was Black Betty Day at McMahon Stadium. The brainchild of equipment manager George Hopkins, the concept of Black Betty Day is pretty simple. All day long, in the locker-room and over the loudspeakers above the field, multiple versions of the Ram Jam song are blared on an endless loop.

It all started in 1993 when players appropriated the locker-room stereo and played music that wasn’t exactly Hopkins’ cup of tea. The equipment guru responded by dropping in a Black Betty CD — only three versions at the time — and hitting the repeat button.

The tradition lives on stronger than ever.

>> Video: Players enjoy Black Betty Day

DAY 14 RECAP

Transactions   

The Stampeders activated import offensive lineman Tony Washington, released import quarterback Steven Gachette, import defensive linemen Maxwell Onyegbule and lineman Andre Coleman and import receiver Tyrone Collins. They also traded import offensive lineman Junius Coston to Edmonton for future considerations.

Injuries

The following players missed both of Saturday’s sessions — non-import receiver Arjei Franklin and non-import defensive lineman Osie Ukwuoma.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field for one session on Sunday. Practice runs from 9:05-10:55 a.m.

*****

Main Camp — Day 13

One of the primary off-season goals for the Calgary Stampeders was the improvement of the special teams.

Perhaps not so much the kickers, a duo featuring CFL all-star punter Burke Dales and league scoring champion Rob Maver, although both of those players are striving to be even better in 2011. But the coverage teams are an area of special attention.

Wednesday’s pre-season contest against the BC Lions, then, will serve as a source encouragement for the Red and White. The Stamps outgained the Lions 176-140 in total return yards.

“For as many people that played, I thought they did a nice job,” said head coach and general manager John Hufnagel, who bolstered the special teams over the winter by signing free agents such as Tim St. Pierre and Larry Taylor. “We did let them escape one time for an extra 20 yards on a certain return but I was pleased with our overall coverage team and we did find some seams where we able to get 15, 20 yards (on returns).”

Special teams coordinator Mark Kilam has been working diligently with the return and coverage teams in practice.

“Especially on the return game,” said Kilam. “A lot of it is timing, being between your man and the returner and the only way you get that is through full-speed, full-cover reps. We can do a tonne of them in camp and then when guys start to wear down, you’ve got to be creative and pick your spots. But it’s definitely one of those things that ‘in the game’ is the best evaluation.”

One thing about training camp — there’s plenty of good athletes to choose from when it comes to filling out the special-teams units.

“Then you’ve got to teach them how to play,” said Kilam. “Everyone wants good athletes but if they don’t know how to play, then it really doesn’t help you out.

“So you’ve got to teach them the techniques involved, you’ve got to teach them the concepts and make sure they understand how to play on the big field because angles are way different than they are down south. Once they start to understand that and the nuances and uniqueness of the CFL game, then they can excel.”

BACK TO WORK

Friday was the first day of practice following the 24-0 loss to the Lions on Wednesday night. Already, the boss is seeing signs the team has learned valuable lessons from the pre-season result.

“We’re taking the steps necessary to become a better football team,” said Hufnagel.

A popular topic of conversation in the post-morning practice meeting with the media was the secondary, a unit which has been the subject of experimentation in camp with new faces and old faces in new places.

“I think they’re progressing nicely,” said Hufnagel. “Another pre-season game will give us a better indication of what five guys will be our starters back there and who else we’ll keep on the roster. It’s great competition back there. They have excellent skill and we just have to find the right ones in the right place.”

DAY 13 RECAP

Transactions           

None

Injuries

The following players missed both of Friday’s sessions: Non-import offensive lineman Jon Gott and Dimitri Tsoumpas, import defensive linemen Charleston Hughes and non-import defensive lineman Prince Baffoh, and non-import receiver Arjei Franklin.

Import receiver Landan Talley, import defensive lineman Robert McCune and non-import defensive lineman Osie Ukwuoma missed the afternoon practice.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field for two sessions on Saturday, June 18. Practices run from 9:05-11 a.m. and 4:20-6 p.m. As per league policy, ENG cameras will be permitted to shoot from approximately 9:05-9:40 a.m. during the morning session and 4:20-4:40 during the afternoon session.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field for walkthrough on Tuesday from approximately 10:40-11:10 a.m.

More coverage

>> Locker-Room Blog by Tyrone Collins

*****

Main Camp — Day 12

Because of heavy rain, Thursday’s rundown practice at McMahon Stadium was cancelled. Instead, the Stampeders reviewed film from Wednesday’s 24-0 pre-season loss to the BC Lions and started the process of making the necessary adjustments for the start of the regular season.

Part of that process involved identifying the encouraging signs despite the setback.

“Usually,” said head coach and general manager John Hufnagel, “when you watch a game film, it’s never as bad as you thought and never as good as you thought. That applies to last night’s game.

“I thought there were some young players who stepped up and played some good football and showed signs that they may have a chance to be successful in this league.”

And on the down side . . .

“We need to execute better on both sides of the football,” said Hufagel. “And we need to complete passes. We need to catch the football better — I mean, we just had too many drops. BC had a few drops also but they made plays downfield and we just didn’t do that. You have to make plays to win football games.”

Asked what he would tell the fans about the current state of the club, Hufnagel replied: “It’s the same message I told the team a half-hour ago — we’re nowhere near where we need to be at this stage in training camp.

“We have a week left to work hard to get better a
nd to prepare ourselves to go up to Edmonton and put on a better performance and, more importantly, get ourselves ready for the league opener.”

Transactions        

The Stampeders activated non-import offensive lineman Jon Gott and released non-import defensive back Andre Clarke, non-import defensive lineman Ian DeGannes-Shaw and import linebacker Terrance Stringer.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field for two sessions on Friday, June 17. Practices run from 9-11 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.

*****

Main Camp — Day 9

Tony Missick has experience in outdoor and indoor leagues, has worked in pro and college ball and has operated under both Canadian and American rules.

But there’s one thing about defensive backfield strategy that doesn’t change regardless of the location.

“It doesn’t matter where you play — NFL, CFL, arena, college — man-to-man coverage is man-to-man coverage,” said the Stampeders’ first-year defensive backs coach. “You can have eight guys on the field like in arena or 12 guys on the field as in the CFL, when you’re playing man coverage it’s your best guy on their best guy. Lock it up and play it. There’s no ancient secret to it — the best athletes normally win.”

This is the first full-time CFL gig for Missick, a former University of Kentucky standout who played for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, but a guest-coach stint with Calgary at the club’s 2010 training camp served as a good introduction to the Canadian game.

“Most definitely. It gave me an insight on what it’s like to have several receivers coming downhill,” he said in reference to the pre-snap motion allowed by CFL rules. “I’ve seen (motion) before in arena when only one receiver was allowed to come downhill but when you’re up here, you have three or four guys running at a defensive back. That definitely was an adjustment for me to make. I think that any DB who plays CFL ball can go anywhere and be able to do a pretty good job on any other level. I think it’s pretty impressive for a DB to be able to backpedal and be able to stay with his receiver.”

The Stamps have done a lot of experimenting in camp, giving players a look at multiple positions, but regardless of final composition, confidence seems high that the end result will be a solid secondary.

“We’ve got a ton of athletes on the defensive side of the ball,” said Missick. “Those guys have to be interchangeable just in case something happens. Yeah, it’s new to come of them but it all comes down to the way we play defence man to man. So if you’re inside playing man, you can go outside and play man. You’re out of position, but you’re doing the same thing. The concept remains the same.”

GEARING UP FOR WEDNESDAY

The Stamps players have been going hard at each other for nine days now. Everyone agrees it’s high time to measure up to an opponent in a different uniform, which works out quite nicely given the start of the pre-season schedule on Wednesday when the BC Lions come calling to McMahon Stadium.

“Yeah, I believe they’re looking forward to a game,” said head coach and general manager John Hufnagel. “Fortunately, this training camp is a little bit different than last year’s where we had the first game after the first weekend training camp opened. Here, we have a few more days to prepare so they had a better opportunity to absorb what happened in (Saturday’s) mock game and take the adrenaline that was there on Saturday and really build on it. I think they’ll come out of this locker-room ready to play good, hard football.”

 “I can tell you right now,” added quarterback Henry Burris, “guys are ready to get out there and just fly around and juts let things happen. Right now, everything is controlled practices by the coaching staff and we don’t want to do certain things to our guys.

“But when you an opposite-coloured jersey on the other sideline, there are no holds barred. You don’t hold anything back and you go out there and show everybody what you’re truly made of. To finally be able to go out there and play some real football is definitely something we’ve been looking forward to. You can let your guard down and let your talent speak for itself.”

DAY 9 RECAP

Play of the day

During the afternoon session, rangy receiver made a diving catch on a Drew Tate pass into the end-zone.

Transactions            

The Stampeders activated non-import defensive lineman Corey Mace and released import defensive back Courtney Robinson.

Injuries

The following players missed both of Monday’s sessions: Non-import running back Jared Manchulenko, non-import offensive lineman Jon Gott and Dimitri Tsoumpas, non-import defensive linemen Prince Baffoh and Ian DeGannes-Shaw, and non-import receiver Arjei Franklin. Import defensive lineman Robert McCune, non-import defensive back Saleem Borhot and import receiver Larry Taylor missed the morning practice.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field for walkthrough on Tuesday from approximately 10:40-11:10 a.m.

More coverage

>> Locker-Room Blog by Karl McCartney
>> Feature story on Johnny Forzani
>> Pre-season game preview

*****

Main Camp — Day 8

Just three days separate the Stampeders’ intra-squad game, which was held on Saturday afternoon, and the club’s first real test when the Canadian Football League pre-season gets under way Wednesday with a visit by the BC Lions.

Part of Sunday was reserved for reviewing film of the previous day’s mock game and the results are pretty much what you’d expect from a group that has, more or less, a week of training camp under its belt.

“(We saw) how much discipline — or lack of discipline — affects the outcome of a drive and possibly the outcome of a game,” said head coach and general manager John Hufnagel. “That was the major lesson the players are getting from it.”

The coaching staff made a list of the errors committed during the rehearsal.

“We go into overtime and on the very first play of overtime, our defence goes offside,” noted Hufnagel. “The offence gets in there and on their very first play of overtime, it’s a fumble. We make a nice run on offence to get it to the 35-yard line and in scoring position but there’s a holding penalty downfield that was unnecessary. That brings it back out and we’re not in scoring position. We’re in the two-minute drill in the first half, our defence holds, punt, our offence gets the ball in very good field position on the 47-yard line, we complete the first pass to get into field-goal position . . . and it was offside.

“So those types of things are being stressed. We need to play with more discipline. In training camp, you have to start over. You have to remind them of the detail that’s needed to play win
ning football and how lack of attention, which I’ve construed to be discipline, is a drive-killer when you’re on offence or a drive-extender when you’re on the defensive side.”

MACE IS ON PACE

It’s a funny thing. Most football players locked into the two-a-day grind of training camp find themselves wishing they could be somewhere else. Anywhere else.

Then there’s the guy who is forced to the sidelines and is anxious to get back into the grueling fray. Such is the case for defensive lineman Corey Mace, who underwent off-season back surgery and so far has been held out of camp as a precaution.

“It’s tough,” said Mace. “I don’t know anyone who can honestly say they love two-a-days, but it’s a part of the process of becoming a team. It’s working with your defensive guys and learning how to play off each other. It’s tough to sit in meetings and watch film all the time and it has nothing to do with you. You can’t see your own progress and how you fit in with the fellows who are out there.

“In that sense, it’s hard but it’s been nice to see all the young guys fit in with the defence. We’ve got a few good players coming in this year and the returning guys, of course, are awesome. I’m just excited to get out there ASAP.”

Mace is just grateful that everything has progressed smoothly since he was removed from the operating table.

“I had some great rehab in Vancouver at Allan McGavin sports therapy centre out there and everybody’s getting me back to where I need to be,” he said. “The trainers are patient with me. Huff and (defensive coordinator Chris Jones) and (defensive line coach Brent) Monson and (guest coach) Ed Philion have all been patient with me. Even the guys on the d-line have been patient with me because they might have to take extra reps because I’m not there. I appreciate all that and I’m ready to get out there and help the team.”

ROOKIE NIGHT HORROW SHOW

DeVone Claybrooks has some advice for the Stampeders rookies — keep working hard at football because you have no future in entertainment.

Saturday was Rookie Night, the evening the first-year players are obligated to entertain the vets with skits and songs. When asked if he enjoyed the show, Claybrooks made a sour face.

“It was the worst, the worst, the worst . . . let me reiterate, THE WORST rookie show I’ve ever seen,” the veteran defensive lineman wailed. “I think the phantom is still going to make some mysterious visits because they got an “A” for effort, but they failed the test. It was horrendous, it was horrific, it was horrible.”

Claybrooks could only thing of one possible use for the “talent” on display.

“You could put our enemy out there and they’re going to run,” he suggested. “So we could use it for our defence.”

With rare exceptions — defensive lineman Sam Scott was one of the few freshmen to receive some praise — the veterans were very disappointed with what they saw.

“There was no originality,” he said, “there was no creativity . . . they will not be on Canada’s Got Talent, I can tell you that.”

DAY 8 RECAP

Play of the day

Let’s give one on each side of the ball. On offence, Nik Lewis casually reached skyward to make a one-handed grab during the skelly portion of practice. Later, linebacker Juwan Simpson showed great hand-eye coordination to snag a deflected pass and sprinted to daylight for what under real-game conditions would have been a touchdown.

Transactions             

None

Injuries

The following players missed Sunday’s lone practice: import defensive back Courtney Robinson, non-import running back Jared Manchulenko, import defensive lineman Robert McCune, non-import offensive lineman Jon Gott and Dimitri Tsoumpas, non-import defensive linemen Prince Baffoh, Ian DeGannes-Shaw and Corey Mace and import receiver Marko Mitchell.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field for two sessions on Monday. Practices run from 9-11 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.

*****

Main Camp — Day 7

The cool and wet weather conditions at McMahon Stadium on Saturday were not, to say the least, ideal for assessing the players under a semblance of game conditions.

Still, the mock contest — complete with officials and time-clock — will serve as valuable evaluation and teaching tools as the coaching staff looks to identify the best options for Calgary’s 2011 roster.

“(The players) got to understand the concept of the game, what happens in pre-game, how important it is to play with discipline, how it affects the outcome of a series if you take a penalty,” said head coach and general manager John Hufnagel. Now we’ll watch the film and compliment the guys and critique the guys and hope to become a better football team as we move forward.”

The rain unquestionably had a particularly adverse affect on one side of the ball.

“It’s a defensive field today,” said Hufangel. “One of these days, we’ll have a mock game when we can actually throw the ball.”

Not that the guys doing the throwing were making excuses.

“The conditions were tough,” acknowledged quarterback Henry Burris, “but we’ve still got to play in it. We did some good things but there’s still some work that has to be done to get for Wednesday (when the Stamps open the pre-season by hosting the BC Lions). Of course, you always hope for a better day of weather, but that’s just how it is.

“(The defence) got the best of us today in this one. We made some plays but we didn’t make enough. We’re going to continue to work hard and make sure we’re ready to go when the real lights come on on Wednesday.”

One of the offensive players who managed to make a figurative splash on Saturday was rookie pivot Brad Sinopoli, who a scoring drive late in the proceedings.

“He made two clutch plays, no question about it,” said Hufnagel. “That’s the sign of a quarterback that you’d like to see — when things aren’t going great, he keeps fighting and is able to make a play or two and put his team in a position to win and then finish it.”

DAY 7 RECAP

Play of the day

During the afternoon mock game, rookie defensive back Marcus Jemison made a spectacular dive to come up with a tipped pass and record an interception.

Transactions            

None

Injuries

Non-import offensive linemen Jon Gott and Dimitri Tsoumpas, non-import running back Jared Manchulenko, non-import defensive linemen Prince Baffoh and Ian DeGannes-Shaw and non-import kicker Rob Maver missed the morning practice.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field for one session on Sunday, June 12. Practice runs from 4-6 p.m.

More coverage

>> Stamps unveil new road helmets

*****

Main Camp — Day 6

The Stamps, it would seem, are well heeled at the receiver position.

Calgary is bringing back its five top pass-catchers from the 2010 season including a trio of players who turned in 1,000-yard seasons a year ago — Romby Bryant, Nik Lewis and Ken-Yon Rambo.

Sophomores Landan Talley, Deon Murphy and Johnny Fozani all return to the Red and White after getting their first seasons under their belts.

To that solid group has been added Reggie McNeal, a trade acquisition from Toronto, ex-Eskimo Marko Mitchell, return specialist Larry Taylor, first-round pick Anthony Parker and a rookie batch of imports that includes former NFLers Dudley Guice and Jake Allen.

“It’s a good group,” said receivers coach Pete Costanza. “The rookies are working hard and trying to grasp (the offence). And the veterans, obviously, are helping lead the way. It’s good having the veterans here to show the rookies how we want things done and it’s easier for them to grasp it after they see it.

“It’s coming along. It’s camp so there’s still some things to work out but I’m real happy with the group overall.”

A major difference in this year’s camp is the full participation of Rambo, who 12 months ago was putting the finishing touches on his rehab from a knee injury.

“It’s great having Ken-Yon in camp,” said Costanza. “Last year, he really didn’t get going until Week 4. Now we’ve got him in camp and we can get all the kinks out early. It’s just great to have him from the start. It brings me back to ’08 and you have all your good weapons running early. It’s great.”

Rambo is part of a veteran group that has assumed on a teaching role with the youngsters in camp.

“The one thing the veterans can show them is good leadership in the meetings,” said Costanza. “All the guys — Nik and Ken-Yon and Romby and Arjei (Franklin) and Jabari (Arthur) — they’ve been around the system now for a couple of years, they’re good in meetings as far as helping the guys understand the concepts and they’re good in meetings relating scenarios that happened to them in the past.

“And on the field, they come out here and work hard. They’re great workers and they show the guys the route concepts and the releases and they talk to the rookies when they do something wrong. They’re great leaders, they’re great to be around and they help us get better as a group.”

BOOT CAMP

After five consecutive days of heavy-duty kicking, Rob Maver’s right leg was given a break on Friday morning.

That was the signal for the start of amateur hour as other players tried their hand — err, foot — at hoofing. The results were comical at times.

“(Ken-Yon) Rambo looks horrible,” chuckled head coach and general manager John Hufnagel after the session. “He must not have worked very hard in the off-season on his kicking skills, so he’s definitely out.”

Rookie quarterback Brad Sinopoli gave it a go, but had trouble getting much elevation on his kicks, with one field-goal try striking an offensive lineman on the hind-quarters.

So, Coach Huff, perhaps Sinopoli should stick to throwing the ball?

“If I want to keep my offensive line healthy, yes,” he deadpanned.

It wasn’t all bad, though.

“Burke (Dales) did a nice job on the kickoffs,” he said. “He was getting the ball high and deep, so that was good to see.”

But still . . .

“Hopefully,” he said with a smile, “Rob Maver doesn’t get injured.”

Maver, by the way, is drawing lots of double-takes in camp after shedding 20 pounds over the off-season thanks to a conditioning program and increased attention to his diet.

“It’s better to be called slim than fat,” said Maver, who won the CFL scoring title as a rookie in 2010. “It’s pretty funny to hear all the comments. Burke is giving me a hard time about it, but Burke is Burke. What else would you expect?”

DAY 5 RECAP

Play of the day

It was the Henry Burris-Dudley Guice show during the morning practice. First, Guice tipped a Burris bullet into the air and then dove in the end-zone to make the reception. Moments later, as if to prove the connection wasn’t a fluke, Burris and Guice hooked up again for another scoring pass.

Transactions            

The Stampeders activated non-import offensive lineman Zac Carlson.

Injuries

Non-import offensive linemen Jon Gott and Dimitri Tsoumpas, non-import running back Jared Manchulenko, import offensive lineman Junius Coston, non-import defensive linemen Prince Baffoh and Ian DeGannes-Shaw missed both practices. Import receiver Landan Talley left the morning practice early and missed the afternoon session as well. Import linebacker Malik Jackson missed the morning session.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field for two sessions on Saturday, June 11. Practice runs from 9-11 a.m. The annual intra-squad game takes place at 4 p.m.

More coverage

>> Locker-Room Blog by Terrance Stringer

*****

Main Camp — Day 5

Dimitri Tsoumpas and Tim O’Neill are the young veterans of the Calgary offensive line with a mere three seasons of service time with the Stampeders.

Five of Calgary’s big men were first-year Stamps in 2010 and four more linemen are rookies this season, which makes this year’s line a very young group indeed.

“It’s like junior high ball because it’s like you’re starting back from square one,” said offensive line coach Kris Sweet. “It’s a challenge each and every drill. I’m not going to say every day is a challenge, it’s every drill to get them to go as fast and as hard as possible and to get them to do what you want them to do. It’s a challenge but hey, that’s why we’re here, right?”

Sweet has no trouble identifying the positive side to the youth of the unit.

“I’ve said it before — I miss college ball because I love the aspect of developing a player and seeing them grow,” he said. “This is very similar to that right now.”

It’s generally thought that quarterbacks, with all those plays and offensive schemes to cram into their skulls, have the steepest learning curves on a football club but Sweet suggests young offensive linemen have a similar challenge.

“It’s no different,” he said. “And the biggest thing people don’t realize is that it’s five guys having to work together and everybody has to be on the same page and everything has to tie together from the line calls to the footwork to the technique. That’s what ma
kes it so challenging and fun.”

The freshman brigade on the line includes 2009 draft picks J’Michael Deane and John Bender as well as Calgary Colts product Spencer Wilson.

“It’s a learning process every day,” said Sweet. “The light’s been flickering and sooner or later, it’s going to go on.”

BACK ON THE MARC

After missing the start of camp to tend to a family matter, linebacker and special-teams ace Marc Calixte reported for work on Thursday.

With eight seasons in Red and White, Calixte is the elder statesman on the Calgary roster in terms of consecutive years of service and only quarterback Henry Burris, whose two stints in Calgary add up to nine years, has more tenure overall.

The Laval, Que., native was a team captain in 2010 and was among the club leaders with 14 special-teams tackles.

HOT STUFF ON SATURDAY

The annual Training Camp BBQ is scheduled for this Saturday at McMahon Stadium. This year’s event is being held in conjunction with the Stampeders’ mock game.

The doors for this popular and free event open at 3 p.m. and entrance is through southeast gate at McMahon. Hot dogs will be served on the concourse.

Besides the food and the football, the Stampeders have a special surprise announcement in store for their fans.

In addition, ballots will be handed to everyone in attendance for entry into a draw for great prizes. Available will be a Nik Lewis jersey, a pair of white-zone tickets and pre-game sideline passes for the June 15 pre-season contest against the BC Lions and a special mystery prize.

DAY 5 RECAP

Play of the day

During the afternoon practice on a Drew Tate throw, receiver Jake Allen fully extended his arms, tipped the ball and then gained full control all while managing to keep the tips of his toes inbounds.

Transactions            

The Stampeders released import linebacker Scorpio Babers and added import defensive backs Courtney Robinson and Darrick Brown and non-import offensive lineman Quinn McCaughan.
The Stamps activated non-import linebacker Marc Calixte.

Injuries

Non-import offensive lineman Dimitri Tsoumpas, non-import defensive lineman Prince Baffoh, and import receiver Dudley Guice missed both practices. Import receiver Nik Lewis missed the morning session.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field for two sessions on Friday, June 10. Practices run from 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

More coverage

>> Locker-Room Blog by Landan Talley
>> Feature story on Gerald Cadogan

*****

Main Camp — Day 4

One sure sign that Stampeders training camp is moving along quite nicely is the growing raspiness of the voices urging on the players during drills.

“If my voice isn’t gone,” croaked Mike Gibson, the Stampeders’ running backs coach, “that means I’m not working. It’s all good.”

Gibson in entering his eighth season in the CFL but this his first with Calgary. He worked in Hamilton the past two seasons and much of his prior knowledge of the current Stamps personnel came from watching game film.

“This is a talented football team,” he said “From that standpoint, it just reinforces what you see on film. The thing you don’t see on film is how hard they work in the practice sessions. It’s a good hard-working group. They want to be good, they study their playbooks hard which means they don’t miss their assignments. Those types of players are a pleasure to work with.”

The Stamps running backs are an intriguing blend of veterans — Joffrey Reynolds, Jon Cornish and Rob Cote between them have 15 seasons with the Red and White — and newcomers such as Matt Walter, LaMarcus Coker, Jared Manchulenko and Tim St. Pierre and second-year man Rafael Little.

“The group is working well together,” said Gibson. “The older guys have taken the younger guys under their wing. They’ve accepted them and they’re helping to get better.

“That’s how you can tell a solid football team from one that’s a little questionable,” he said. “On some teams, the veterans won’t help the younger guys because they know they’re coming in and trying to take their jobs. This team is a very good football team maturity-wise. The older players accept the younger guys and they try to help them get better and better every day and then let the coaches choose the best players. It’s a confident group and a group that works well together.”

As for himself, Gibson is favourably impressed with his new football home.

“I’m enjoying it,” he said. “It’s a good bunch of coaches and a good bunch of people. The organization is first class. It is a new role for me but working with (fellow offensive coaches) Dave (Dickenson), Kris (Sweet) and Pete (Constanza), they’ve welcomed me with open arms. They welcome your ideas. They have a great basis here and they have a solid football team so if you can just add something to it, you feel like you’ve accomplished something and have been a good addition.”

>> Video feature on Matt Walter

STAMPS GET A BREAK

Day 4 brought welcome relief for the players in the form of a single morning practice instead of the usual double dose of workouts.

Head coach and general manager John Hufnagel says the break from two-a-days is important because too heavy a grind can take a toll both mentally and physically.

That said, the boss is happy with what he has seen to date.

“First of all, the guys are working hard,” he said. “Each and every practice, I have not been disappointed by the effort that the players have put forth on the field. The defence has done an excellent job — they’re further along than the offence right now, but that’s good because it’ll help make the offence a better (unit) once the season starts.”

Hufnagel notes that the rookies, who had a two-day camp last week, for the most part have shown they can keep up to the veterans.

“They’re competing well,” he said. “The rookies did a good job during rookie camp of getting the base understanding, especially defensively. So they’re out there and jobs are up for grabs. I like the competition that’s going on.”

DAY 4 RECAP

Transactions

The Stampeders released defensive back J.T. Leggin.

Injuries

Several Stampeders missed the day’s only practice: Non-import defensive lineman Prince Baffoh, non-import defensive back Andre Clarke, import running back LaMarcus Coker, import defensive back Greg Fassitt, non-import offensive lineman Jon Gott, import receiver Nik Lewis, non-import running back Jared Manchulenko, non-import defensive lineman Ian DeGannes-Shaw, and non-import offensive lineman Dimitri Tsoumpas.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field for two sessions on Thursday, June 9. Practices run from 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

More coverage

>> Locker-Room Blog by Reggie M
cNeal

*****

Main camp — Day 3

Another season, another potential position switch for Keon Raymond.

The fourth-year defender out of Middle Tennessee State has been working as a defensive back at training camp after spending the entire 2010 campaign as one of Calgary’s starting linebackers. The year before that, he played halfback.

“Man, I’ve played every position in the secondary with the Stampeders including the SAM linebacker,” laughed Raymond. “I’ve started a game at every position. I don’t  think there are many who can say that.”

The St. Louis native is the ultimate team player when it comes to the shuffling around.

“You know what, man? I don’t mind,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where the coach puts me, he knows I can play both ends of the field. It’s all to what we learn in our coach’s scheme. Coach (Chris) Jones does a great job with the scheme and you have to learn that position across the board.”

Raymond takes great pride in the nickname “Mr. Versatile.”

“That’s the way you want to be in life, too,” he remarked. “I tell my kids, be versatile and be good at lots of things whether it’s school, sports or anything. Don’t just settle for one thing.”

Raymond had a great year in 2010 as part of the Stamps’ linebacking corps with fellow starters Juwan Simpson and Malik Jackson. He recorded 49 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries and four interceptions.

“It took me a little while to get the hang of (being a linebacker), though,” he said with a chuckle. “You think of a linebacker a big muscle guy with drool all on their face. Then you see me — the quick, fast, handsome guy, you know what I mean? But it was pretty cool to play SAM linebacker because you get to blitz and cover and make interceptions. You get the best of both worlds.”

The same goes in the locker-room.

“We’re a team defence,” he said. “My locker’s in the middle of the DBs and the linebackers, so I get love from both groups. Simp and Malik are my boys, so they show as much love as they can.”

LOOKING FOR PLAYMAKERS

With so many excellent athletes in traning camp, the battle for the kickoff- and punt-returner jobs should be quite interesting.

Former Montreal Alouette Larry Taylor, the CFL’s Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2009, was signed as a free agent over the winter. Deon Murphy, who handled returning chores most of last season, and Landan Talley, who saw action late and had a strong performance in the West final, remain on the scene, too.

“We’ll find out when the bullets are flying in a live game,” said head coach and general manager John Hufnagel. “I’d think that with the skill that we have at the returner position, Larry being one of the candidates, we’ll have an excellent return game.”

While main camp has been in session for three days now, a proper evaluation of the returners will have to wait until the pre-season gets under way on June 15 when the BC Lions visit McMahon Stadium.

“What you’re looking for is how sure of a ball-handler they are, how skilled they are catching the football, what type of quickness and explosion they have,” said Hufnagel. “Since you don’t go live in practice, you can’t really get a feel for how courageous that player is in a game. Sure you have to have a certain amount of skill and quickness to be a great returner but you also have to be able to play with a lot of courage.”

SAY CHEESE

Tuesday was photo/video promo shoot day at McMahon.

That means that in between the two practices and all the meetings that go along with camp, the players squeezed in some camera time as headshots were taken and promotional videos for the scoreboard and TSN were filmed.

>> Check out the behind-the-scenes activity from the shoot

DAY 3 RECAP

Play of the day

During the afternoon practice, cornerback Geoff Tisdale stayed step for step with his man and made a well-timed leap to record an interception. The newcomer, signed as a free agent  during the off-season after three years in Hamilton, also had a couple of nimble knockdowns.

Transactions

The Stampeders released import receiver Tyrre Burks and non-import defensive back Mark Holden. The Stamps activated import defensive lineman Khari Long.

Injuries

Non-import defensive back Andre Clarke (ankle), non-import defensive lineman Prince Baffoh (hamstring) and non-import offensive lineman Dimitri Tsoumpas (hamstring) missed both practices. Import receiver Nik Lewis (groin) missed the morning session and import running back LaMarcus Coker (ankle) missed the afternoon practice.

Schedule

The Stamps are on the field for one sessions on Tuesday, June 6. Practice starts at 9:05 a.m.

More coverage

>> Locker-Room Blog by Justin Phillips
>> Feature story on Joffrey Reynolds

*****

Main camp — Day 2

Ken-Yon Rambo’s road to recovery was considerably smoother than his plane ride to Calgary for 2011 Stampeders training camp.

When his flight out of Dallas was 30,000 feet in the air, the flight attendant calmly announced over the P.A. that there was fire in the tail of the plane and the aircraft would have to make an emergency landing in Oklahoma City. Thankfully, the plane landed smoothly and, after a change of planes, Rambo made it to Calgary safe and sound.

“It was a little scary,” said the veteran receiver. “I loved when we were safely on the ground!”

Coming back from a knee injury that ruined his 2009 season and delayed the start of his 2010 campaign, Rambo is fit and healthy to start 2011 and is participating wholeheartedly in every drill during training camp at McMahon Stadium.

“It feels good to be out here running with the guys, participating and getting ready for the pre-season game,” said Rambo, who in entering his seventh season with the Stampeders.

“Training camp is training camp. You love seeing the guys and going through the plays but,” he added with a chuckle, “two-a-days are ugh . . . I can’t say too many happy things about two-a-days, but it’s good to get back into training.”

During the off-season, Rambo worked out in the Dallas area with friend and teammate Juwan Simpson.
 
“You can’t get anything better than that when you’re working out with one of your boys in the off-season,” he smiled. “It’s always beneficial to train with a teammate. We’ve been training together for the last two, three years and it’s been good. We’re competitive and we work hard.”

Along with Nik Lewis and Romby Bryant, Rambo was one of three 1,000-yard receivers for the Stamps in 2010 and the Ohio State product is looking for the triple threat to keep going for a few more seasons. But their main focus always stays the same – winning the Grey Cup.
“We’re all team players,” said Rambo, “and we all want to win.”