By Max Campbell
Stampeders.com

In the preliminary stages of his sixth season with the Stampeders, Rob Maver feels his best is yet to come.

The reigning three-time Western Division all-star started the 2015 campaign with a bang, averaging 56 yards on five punts in last Friday’s comeback victory over Hamilton. His outstanding single-game average was good enough for fifth place in club history and included an 83-yard rocket for a much-needed punt single in a one-point win.

“I hit the ball very well and, fortunately, some of the balls were with the wind,” articulated Maver of his performance. “The ones that I got with the wind, we were backed up, so I was able to open up and hit it. It’s always fun when you’re able to go out there and hit the ball well like that. It’s good for your confidence and it’s just good to start the season out like that.”

Despite his impressive numbers, Calgary did concede a punt return touchdown to speedster Brandon Banks before the end of the first quarter. As the former Guelph Gryphon explained, the 12-man unit must make the necessary corrections in order to prevent a similar play in the future.

“I hit a short punt and then we could have made a play, but we didn’t,” said the London, Ont., native. “It’s one of those things you don’t really over-coach and usually we make that play – I punt the ball better and give our guys more time to get down there. It’s a combination of the punt and the tackling. It’s one of those things that is kind of a blip. It’s not like we got beat schematically or anything like that, it’s just one of those plays that happens and it’s our job not to let that happen again.”

The Stampeders’ first-round draft pick in 2010 was also highly complementary of kicker Rene Paredes, as he kicked a game-winning field goal from 50 yards out in the Week 1 triumph over the Ticats. Maver –Calgary’s starting kicker in his rookie year before the arrival of Paredes – was thrilled to see his fellow special-teamer execute to perfection.

“Amazing,” the 29-year-old said of Paredes’ clutch moment. “I’m so happy for him. The most impressive thing for me wasn’t that he made the kick, but it was how he made the kick. He really stepped into it. He didn’t guide it or hit it lightly or try and hit it pretty. He really got through the ball and hit it very, very firmly and that shows how confident he was in that moment in time with the game on the line. Everybody in our locker room is thankful to have Rene kicking for us right now.”

Recently named one of four team captains to lead the Red and White in their Grey Cup defence, Maver feels as though he may be in line for a career year in terms of his on-field production.

“I feel good,” offered No. 6. “Before, if I didn’t have the best day one or day two (of practice), it would kind of get in my head. But now I understand it’s a process every single week and you’re just building towards the game. I’m further established in my process and I felt pretty good out there in the preseason and I felt better out there on Friday.”