WINNING STAMPS GO FOR RECORD
1989 Eskimos went 16-2, Calgary eyes 16-1-1 mark
It’s time to start talking about the Stampeders and their potential to find a special place in the CFL history book.
The Stamps lost their first game of the season to the Lions — a match they probably should have won — and haven’t dropped one since. They tied their Week 3 tilt against the Redblacks but are now riding a 13-game unbeaten streak.
They are 12-1-1 overall and have four games remaining against arguably the two worst teams in the league: Toronto and Montreal. In other words, 16-1-1 is a distinct possibility.
The only other team that has hit the 16-win plateau since the league went to an 18-game schedule in 1986 was the 1989 Eskimos, who went 16-2 under head coach Joe Faragalli but bowed out in the West Division final to the eventual Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Stamps boss Dave Dickenson is two victories away from becoming the winningest rookie head coach in CFL history, as Toronto’s Adam Rita (1991), Calgary’s John Hufnagel (2008) and B.C.’s Mike Benevides (2012) all reached 13 wins in their first seasons at the helm.
HOLD ON A SEC
The Stampeders, despite their impressive regular season, should be concerned about one thing, however.
The Red and White have the dreaded bye in the final week of the season this year, which means they are going to end up getting two weeks off before hosting the West final at McMahon Stadium on Nov. 20. Their final regular season game is on Oct. 30, which means they will go a whopping 20 days without hitting anyone.
Until two years ago the Stampeders were known as playoff chokers, the sensational regular season team that couldn’t get it done in the post-season. If anything is going to cause them to stumble yet again before their time, it’s the schedule.
FORWARD PROGRESS
The signs of life continue to spring up in Regina, where the downtrodden Roughriders are adding significant pieces to their incomplete puzzle.
The Green and White signed defensive end Willie Jefferson and receiver Jeff Fuller last week, and on Tuesday they inked a big Canadian name in middle linebacker Henoc Muamba, who, according to sources, is signed through 2018. Those three went south looking for NFL jobs this year, they but all decided to return to the team that is in the West Division basement after striking out in the four down loop.
Muamba is a ratio-breaking linebacker who was Winnipeg’s most outstanding player, defensive player and Canadian in 2013, not to mention a CFL all-star, before signing with the Indianapolis Colts. He appeared in four games with the Alouettes last fall, but they cut him just before he was due a bonus. He attended Dallas Cowboys camp in August.
There won’t be any playoff money for those three this year, but adding three quality players like that will give them a much better chance for success next season.
WHAT A MESS
There were signs of trouble last season when Argos head coach Scott Milanovich benched a couple of his receivers for their selfish and undisciplined play.
He couldn’t put the reins on his wild horses this year, either, because on Monday he and GM Jim Barker sent packing the most talented quartet to ever get released in one fell swoop.
Axed were Tori Gurley, Vidal Hazelton, Kevin Elliott and Phil Bates. Gurley was third, Hazelton fifth and Elliott sixth in team receiving yards this year, while Hazelton was the East Division’s rookie of the year in 2015. Hazelton, Gurley and Elliott were their top three receivers last season.
The Argos weren’t going to make the playoffs this year anyway, so it’s probably a good time to start a rebuild.
WHAT TO DO
One major topic of discussion in Saskatchewan over the last few weeks has been quarterback Darian Durant’s future.
The recently turned 34-yearold can become a free agent in February, but general manager and head coach Chris Jones told the Regina media recently he planned to begin contract talks with No. 4 soon and that the organization wanted him back as they move into their new stadium.
Even though most established QBs are under contract for next season, that doesn’t mean there won’t be any available.
Does Travis Lulay want to spend another year as Jon Jennings’ backup in B. C.? What about Drew Tate in Calgary? James Franklin isn’t going to be the starter in Edmonton any time soon. Matt Nichols and Kevin Glenn are both potential free agents in Winnipeg. Henry Burris isn’t going to want to hold a clipboard next year. What are the Argos going to do with Ricky Ray?
Maybe bringing back Durant isn’t the only option for the Green and White. Something to ponder.