In the Random House Webster’s Dictionary, Revised and Updated version, page 447, the entry for ‘meaningless,’ an adjective to ‘meaning,’ falls between ‘meander’ and ‘meant.’

Nowhere in the Joshua Bell edition does the word even exist.

“Meaningless?” admonishes the inspirational safety. “Naw. Uh, uhhhhh. No such thing.

“When we go out there on that field, nobody cares about what names are active or inactive on the roster. We all represent the same thing: Stampeder football.

“Which means football to win.

“Even if there’s 12 new people to replace us on defence, we’re gonna be down their throat to measure up to standard.

“What we do is innate. Instinctive.

“We play.

“Game One. Game 18. Grey Cup. We don’t win, we’re going to be POed. That never changes.

“We don’t want people who don’t mind not winning.

“You’re not welcome here.”

Bell before the 2017 Labour Day rematch (Photo by David Moll)

With top rung in the West already signed off on, the Stamps trek up to Edmonton for Saturday’s Week 19 clash against the Eskimos aiming to execute one of those tricky tightrope walks many good teams face as playoffs loom:

Staying healthy while also staying sharp and successful.

There’s certain to be more Calgary cast changes than the 23rd national touring company of the musical Cats. The nicked-up players won’t be risked. Starters included in the game-day roster are apt to be spotted in and out, depending on circumstance.

Which doesn’t, stresses quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, allow for any sort of compromise in intent or effort.

“I don’t think there can be any drop in competitiveness,’’ he said following Thursday’s workout in a biting winter cold. “Otherwise, you get your ass whipped. To me, you just have to go out and play smart.

“It’s not last year, playing two Eastern teams going in (to the playoffs). We’re playing two teams, one we’re going to (potentially) play in the West final.

“We’re going out with the attitude of dominating. We can’t go out there and think we’re going to glide through a game. Or, as I said, we’re going to get our ass whipped.

“So we’ve got to be ready to play.”

Following the Eskimos, Calgary closes out its regular fixture-list at home to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, now a slim two points ahead of Edmonton in the taffy-pull for second spot in the west.

“These games definitely matter to us, too,’’ echoed the CFL’s leading rusher, Jerome Messam. “You never want to go into the playoffs on a losing note. You want to go in feeling good about yourself.

“Definitely there’s going to be a few changes, new talent getting evaluated, guys who’ve worked hard all year and haven’t had a chance to play.

“It’s next guy up. Whoever’s in there, they’re going to be competitive. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be here.

“Me, personally, I want to play. I don’t want to sit. I don’t think sitting helps me. Just being able to stay in the groove, getting touches, getting reps.

“If the game’s out of hand, one way or the other, and you can save the body a little bit, that’s fine. But I definitely want to start both these games.”

Dickenson’s Stampeders have won the first two games against Edmonton this season (Photo by David Moll)

The final decisions on personnel over the final two starts rests with boss Dave Dickenson and his coaching staff, of course.

“It’s a good problem to have,’’ conceded Dickenson. “It does allow the chance to look at some other people but we want to play good football. We’re not trying to get into the playoffs not playing good, solid football.

“Whoever suits up, the standards are the same.”

Up north, Eskimos’ fiery coach Jason Maas can’t wait for Saturday. Judging by a Wednesday quote, it’s going to be Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader, light sabres at the ready.

“We want to beat the crap out them right now,’’ Maas vowed. “We’ve got one chance to do it right now and I don’t want to think about it any longer than that as far as playing them at any other time.

“I just would rather focus on beating them in our house right now.”

That sort of honesty, Joshua Bell can appreciate.

“For 17 weeks, every (opposition) coach has felt exactly the same way playing us,’’ he reasoned. “Only they didn’t come right out and say it. And that’s fine because it’s how we felt playing against them. (Maas) just verbalized it. I know if a coach of mine didn’t feel that way, I wouldn’t want to play for him.

“We may not articulate it in quite the same manner, but we all have the same mindset: We want to kick the crap out of everybody, too … 18, 19, 20 games.

“It’s football.

“So this week, regardless of circumstances, who’s in, who’s out, or what has or hasn’t already been decided, is no different.

“We’re going out with the same expections: To win.

“Nothing changes.”