By Geoff Crane
Stampeders.com

The 2014 season has been a breakout year for Shawn Lemon, who has emerged as one of the Calgary Stampeders’ most dangerous defensive weapons.

Seeing limited action last year due to depth at the defensive end position, Lemon has blossomed into the Stamps’ leader in quarterback sacks and currently leads in the CFL in forced fumbles with six.

With two games left in the 2014 regular season, Lemon has a shot to equal or perhaps even break the CFL record of eight in a single season — set by Joe Montford in 2000 and equalled by John Grace in 2002.

Although he takes great pride in personal accomplishments, the savvy QB terrorizer tries to simply focus on the next play.

“I’m just trying to create turnovers to get the ball back to our offence,” says Lemon. “I’m just doing anything I can do. If I’m going in to get a sack, why not try to push the ball out so we can get the ball back?”

Sounds simple enough, yet in pro football one of the biggest mantras that can make or break an offensive player’s career is to protect the ball.

With players focusing on ball protection, it becomes skill in figuring out ways to strip the ball out of an opponent’s hands. It’s a skill the Stamps’ defensive coaches have worked on diligently this season.

“In every drill we do, we’re working on stripping the ball,” says D-Line coach DeVone Claybrooks.

Coach Clay says the drills are run ad nauseam so that players become conditioned to always go for stripping the ball rather than merely wrapping up a quarterback for a sack.

“It’s a special skill to actually apply it,” says Claybrooks. “Once the bullets start flying, you can revert back to your habits, so it my job as coach to keep repeating and repeating, getting that muscle memory to where it’s second nature and you don’t even think about it.”

The message is sinking in as Calgary’s defence has been credited with 14 forced fumbles so far this year, with Lemon leading the way.

The Akron product is quick to deflect praise for his impressive numbers and share the credit with his fellow defensive linemen, insisting he’s just been the fortunate recipient of a team effort by teammates such as Junior Turner and Corey Mace.

“It’s something all of us work on — I’ve just been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to rush from the back side of the quarterback,” says Lemon.

Causing opponents to fumble a ball can not only be a blow to their confidence but at times it can pay dividends in keeping points off the board.

In last week’s matchup against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Lemon was able to break through the line and get a clear shot at Kerry Joseph, forcing the veteran QB to lose the ball while recording a sack. 

Saskatchewan would recover the ball but was held to a field goal on that series as the Stamps went on for a 40-27 comeback victory.

“It changes momentum and bring excitement to our defence,” says Lemon. “If we can keep doing that, it will put us in the right direction to score more points late in the season.”

During an injury-riddled season, the Stamps have benefitted from other players stepping up and seizing the opportunity.

Lemon is one of those, taking residence in the vacant defensive end position opposite sackmaster Charleston Hughes and making the most of every opportunity.

“I’m just blessed and humbled to have an opportunity to be part of the best defence in the league,” says Lemon, who had bounced from Saskatchewan to Edmonton prior to finding a home in Calgary. “I know it sounds a little cliché but I was in a situation like last year where I wasn’t the guy starting and I’ve just been very patient and had good teammates who’ve had my back. Now it’s my time to have their back by going out and making plays for them.”

The Stampeders hope he has a few more of those big plays in him as they strive for not only a franchise record in wins but ultimately a berth in the 102nd Grey Cup in Vancouver.