By Bryce Forbes
Stampeders.com

With former University of Calgary Dinos situated all around the league, it shouldn’t come as a surprise for Anthony Parker or Matt Walter to be facing their former teammates.

When they face off against the Montreal Alouettes this weekend, they will see four former colleagues situated on the other sidelines.

“It’s always pretty cool when we watched film this week and saw some of those guys on the film,” said Parker, a receiver in his third year with the Stampeders. “It’s pretty cool to see how many players are going through the system and are still doing well.”

It should become a common sight for the pair to see ex-Dinos on opposing game film; head coach Blake Nill has developed the football program into one of the tops in the nation.

Former Dino and current Montreal linebacker Mike Edem sacks Buck Pierce on July 4, 2013.

At the CFL Draft in May, the Alouettes took a keen interest in former Dinos players, selecting linebacker Mike Edem and running back Steven Lumbala with the third and fifth overall picks, respectively. They added defensive lineman Michael Klassen in the fourth round to go along with linebacker Jordan Verdone, who signed as a free agent in late May as well after being selected by the BC Lions in last year’s draft.

The list of ex-Dinos also includes Stampeders offensive lineman Dan Federkeil and defensive back Jamahl Knowles, who is currently on the Alouettes’ practice roster.

Both Parker and Walter credit the distribution of Dinos across the CFL to Nill, who is about to embark on his eighth season in Calgary.

“I think the big part of it is recruiting but it’s also coaching when we get there,” Parker said. “They have a great coaching staff there, teaching us the right things there so it makes the transition easier to the next level.”

Walter added, “It starts with Nill’s recruiting bringing in great players who really want to succeed and then obviously the coaching staff promoting the CFL style of development at the college level helps players get into pro-ready shape when they graduate.”

The fact that ex-teammates are on the other sideline doesn’t add extra motivation for Walter, the Dinos’ all-time rushing leader.

“It’s nice to see the program is successful enough to have ex-Dinos all over the league but in terms of game planning or mental preparation, it doesn’t factor into that at all. I go out there, prepare for the assignments as I would always do. Their presence doesn’t affect anything that I would do.”

Although bragging rights never hurt.

“You always want to be able to stick it to the guys, and at the same point, you want the win and you know that they are going to be the same way,” Parker said. “Maybe a little extra bragging rights for this week.”