Quarterbacks

Returnees: Drew Tate*, Brad Sinopoli
Newcomers: Kevin Glenn*, Bo Levi Mitchell*
Departures: Henry Burris*
Analysis: A new era dawns at McMahon Stadium as, for the first time since 2004, Calgary begins a season with someone other than Henry Burris under centre. Drew Tate took over as the starter late last season and won all three of his regular-season starts. He has completed two-thirds of his passes in three seasons of part-time duty with the Stamps. Kevin Glenn, acquired from Hamilton in the Burris deal, has an impressive career resume that includes more than 32,000 passing yards. Brad Sinopoli, the only Canadian pivot in the CFL last season, returns for his sophomore year while Eastern Washington product Bo Levi Mitchell is the rookie.

Running backs

Returnees: Jon Cornish, Rob Cote, LaMarcus Coker*, Tim St. Pierre
Newcomers: Matt Walter, Bryson Tucker*
Departures: Joffrey Reynolds*, Lyle Green
Analysis: There has also been a changing of the guard in the backfield as Jon Cornish takes over the featured-back role from Joffrey Reynolds. Despite not making his first start of the season until Week 13, Cornish led the Stampeders in rushing, was first among all CFL running backs in rushing touchdowns, tied for the league lead in total touchdowns and earned West Division all-star recognition. LaMarcus Coker showed tremendous speed and potential in limited duty during his rookie season and is looking for improved health and more opportunities in 2012. Local product Matt Walter is bidding to make the squad after an impressive career at the University of Calgary. Mainstay Rob Cote and second-year Stamp Tim St. Pierre will handle the fullback chores.

Receivers

Returnees: Ken-Yon Rambo*, Nik Lewis*, Romby Bryant*, Arjei Franklin, Landan Talley*, Larry Taylor*, Johnny Forzani, Jabari Arthur, Anthony Parker, Marquay McDaniel*
Newcomers: Chris Bauman, Joe West*, Curtis Walls*, Maurice Price*
Departures: None
Analysis: This is a veteran-laden crew as Nik Lewis, Ken-Yon Rambo and Romby Bryant have a combined 19 seasons of CFL experience. All continue to be productive, particularly Lewis who recorded an eighth straight 1,000-yard season in 2011 and earned CFL all-star recognition. The Stamps also feature some promising younger pass-catchers including Johnny Forzani, who had a breakout 2011 campaign, Anthony Parker and Landan Talley. Calgary is also well-stocked with Canadian talent with Forzani, Parker, Jabari Arthur, Arjei Franklin and newcomer Chris Bauman, who signed with the Stamps in the off-season after four seasons with Hamilton and Edmonton.

Offensive linemen

Returnees: Dimitri Tsoumpas, Jon Gott, Steve Myddelton, Edwin Harrison*, Stanley Bryant*, Tony Washington*, J’Micheal Deane, John Bender, Spencer Wilson
Newcomers: Mark Dewit, Na’Shan Goddard*, Mike Filer
Departures: Tim O’Neill
Analysis: The line is anchored by three-time West Division all-star Dimitri Tsoumpas, who with four years of experience is the senior member. Despite some injury concerns in 2011 and some growing pains with some of the more inexperienced members of the unit, Calgary’s offensive line yielded the second-fewest sacks (34) in the league, had the most rushing first downs (156), the second most rushing yards (2,244) and the second most net yards (6,954). Local product Mark Dewit was added in an off-season trade with Hamilton.

Defensive linemen

Returnees: Charleston Hughes*, Justin Phillips, Corey Mace, Brian Bulcke, Junior Turner, Kevin Dixon*, Torrey Davis*, Chris McCoy*, Demonte’ Bolden*
Newcomers: Ameet Pall, Jordan Spence, Michael Stover*, K.C. Asiodu*, Cody Brown*, Chase Vaughn*, Renard Williams*, Jadon Wagner
Departures: DeVone Claybrooks*
Analysis: DeVone Claybrooks is the only member of the 2011 defensive line not in uniform at this year’s training camp, and even then he hasn’t gone very far as he now coaches the unit. Charleston Hughes, who has held or shared the team lead in sacks four consecutive seasons, is back at one of the defensive end positions. Inside, the Stamps are looking forward to full seasons from non-imports Corey Mace, who was limited to one game in 2011 because of an Achilles tendon injury, and Brian Bulcke, who joined the team after attending camp with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. The d-line depth boasts some talented sophomores in Bulcke, Chris McCoy, Junior Turner, Torrey Davis and Kevin Dixon. Top 2012 draft pick Ameet Pall and fellow rookies Jadon Wagner and Jordan Spence join a Canadian contingent that already included Turner, Mace, Bulcke and Justin Phillips.

Linebackers

Returnees: Malik Jackson*, Juwan Simpson*, Robert McCune*, Marc Calixte, Karl McCartney, Justin Conn, Akwasi Antwi, Demetrice Morley*
Newcomers: Joe Lobendahn*, Wilkerson DeSouza, Marvin White*, Joe Henderson*, Deron Mayo*, Chris Randle*
Departures: Daren Stone*, Sean Ware*
Analysis: The linebacking corps was the subject of much juggling in 2011 as injuries forced lineup changes throughout the season. Robert McCune, who filled in at middle linebacker when Juwan Simpson missed five games with a knee injury, goes into this year’s camp with the linebackers after playing primarily on the defensive line during his first two seasons with the Stamps. Although his role will essentially be unchanged, hard-hitting Demetrice Morley will be slotted as a strong-side linebacker to start camp after being officially listed as a safety in 2011. The Stamps are hoping for a return to form of Malik Jackson, who was a force for the Stamps in 2009 and 2010. Joe Lobendahn, one of the key cogs of Winnipeg’s defence in recent seasons, signed with the Stamps after medical tests determined he was recovered from the knee injury that prematurely ended his 2011 campaign. The Canadian content at linebacker includes veteran special-teamer Marc Calixte, Karl McCartney, Akwasi Antwi, Justin Conn and rookie Wilkerson DeSouza.

Defensive backs

Returnees: Brandon Smith*, Johnnie Dixon*, Keon Raymond*, Eric Fraser, Geoff Tisdale*, Quincy Butler*, Brent Vinson*
Newcomers: Andre Clarke, Keenan MacDougall, Jason Teague*, Tim Clark*, Fred Bennett*, Antareis Bryan*
Departures: Taurean Allen, Brandon Isaac*, Greg Fassitt*
Analysis: The secondary features three returning season-long starters from 2011 in Keon Raymond, Geoff Tisdale and Brandon Smith. In addition, Quincy Butler, who made three starts at halfback after joining the club late in the year, is back along with non-import Eric Fraser, who saw plenty of action in 2011 and will get an opportunity to claim the starting safety position. Johnnie Dixon, who made two starts a year ago, also returns. Newcomers include 2012 draft pick Keenan McDougall.

Kickers/Long Snapper

Returnees: Rob Maver, Randy Chevrier, Rene Paredes
Newcomers: Scott Crough
Departures: Burke Dales
Analysis: Rene Paredes, who did an admirable job replacing the injured Rob Maver in 2011, will try to stave off a challenge from a healthy Maver to retain the place-kicking duties. Maver also has a chance to claim the punting job vacated by the departure of Burke Dales. Australian Scott Crough is also vying for the punting job. Veteran Randy Chevrier as well as Tim St. Pierre will handle the long-snapping chores.

* denotes import