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Stampeders new defence solid to start CFL season with Redblacks coming to Calgary
Stampeders new defence solid to start CFL season with Redblacks coming to Calgary

National Post

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • National Post

Stampeders new defence solid to start CFL season with Redblacks coming to Calgary

Article content For now, the Calgary Stampeders are just happy to have it win games. Article content Article content Through two contests to start the 2025 Canadian Football League campaign, the Stampeders defence has played a pivotal part in a pair of victories. Article content Not bad for a group that underwent wholesale changes over the off-season. Article content 'I think just trying to build, to be honest,' said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson of his new defence, featuring fresh starters at every position compared to the 2024 lineup. Article content 'We're not really too worried about identity yet,' continued Dickenson. 'We're just trying to make sure we're getting better and trying to win football games. And I think (defensive coordinator) Bob Slowik is still trying to find guys that put them in positions where they can succeed.' Article content So far, Slowik and the Red and White defence have solidly succeeded heading into the CFL's Week 3 battle between the host Stampeders (2-0) and the incoming Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday at McMahon Stadium (2 p.m., TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge). Article content 'Probably our back-end on defence,' said Dickenson, when asked what unit's progress has surprised him the most with this new group so early into the CFL season. Article content 'I mean … I think the secondary requires the most communication,' continued Dickenson. 'Damon Webb and Derrick Moncrief I think do help a lot, though, because they're not rookies. They're kind of the quarterbacks of the group — you know … one does one side, and one does the other. Article content 'But we've had a lot of young guys that have really stepped up and made plays on the ball.' Article content Article content Case in point, field-side cornerback Adrian Greene, the 26-year-old who picked off two Nick Arbuckle passes, including returning one 40 yards for a second-quarter touchdown, in Saturday's 29-19 win over the host Toronto Argonauts (0-2). Article content 'His pick-six was really what gave us the victory,' Dickenson said. 'Adrian's done well. Article content 'We did have an open competition in training camp, and he won it … He's gotten the snaps, and he's taking great advantage of them. He's got good ball skills and confidence.'

Costly win for Calgary Stampeders against Toronto Argos
Costly win for Calgary Stampeders against Toronto Argos

CTV News

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • CTV News

Costly win for Calgary Stampeders against Toronto Argos

Toronto Argos quarterback Nick Arbuckle is sacked by Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Folarin Orimolade in Toronto on June 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker The good news for the Calgary Stampeders is they're off to a 2-0 start this season. The bad news is the injuries are starting to pile up. Saturday's game against the Argos was a tough one, as receiver Reggie Begelton suffered a knee injury and is on crutches. So is long snapper Aaron Crawford. Linebacker Marquel Lee suffered a bicep injury. Head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson says Saturday's game was a tough one. 'We're definitely going to be down some guys,' said Dickenson. 'We're going to see how it plays out. We still are getting information on everybody, but we won and it came at a cost. It does give us an opportunity for other guys, but definitely some serious injuries, so we're going to have to adjust.' Philpot has his best game in CFL Dickenson admits some of the injured players could be done for the season. But as with anything in sports, it's all about the next man up. Receiver Jalen Philpot certainly stepped up. He had his best statistical game in the CFL, breaking the 100-yard mark in receiving. He says it's going to give him a lot of confidence. 'It's awesome to be able to break that 100-yard mark, especially at the pro level. It's huge,' said the 24-year-old. 'It's kind of a weight off the shoulders, and I definitely wanted it. I'm just thankful that the team put me in situations to make those plays. I know they expect me to make those plays. That's why they brought me in here, so (I'm) just happy to do that.' Roberts learning from roommate Jacob Roberts took over for Lee when he went down with his injury. They're great friends on and off the field and are roommates. Roberts takes advice from Lee and says it's time for him to step up. 'We lost the engine to our defence,' said the 23-year-old. 'But we've got his back and I'm going to step in there. We've got guys like (Micah) Teitz and some younger guys that are coming up getting ready for the game, and we're going to step in. It's a big role, but we're going to fill his shoes.' Jason MacGougan was signed by the Stamps on Tuesday after Crawford was injured. MacGougan was here for training camp and played in both pre-season games for the Stamps. He says he's ready for this opportunity. 'It's unfortunate what happened, especially to a guy that's as good as Crawford is,' said the 22-year-old. 'He's a great guy in the room and just a good person overall. But at the end of the day, it's a contact sport and injuries happen, and it's the next-man-up mentality.' The Stamps' next game is on Saturday afternoon at McMahon Stadium against the Ottawa Redblacks.

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