Finally, a real opponent looms on the horizon
By Stamps Insider
Day 9 of training camp is done, and the players can?t wait for an actual game.
The same applies to head coach John Hufnagel.
?I?m very excited,? Hufnagel said, looking forward to the game (albeit exhibition) Wednesday against the B.C. Lions. ?I mean, the guys have practised hard. It?s time to get on the field and play against somebody else.
?Let?s get that intensity level high and then find out what type of team we may have. It?s early in the season. Obviously, there are a lot of questions out there that need to be answered.?
The questions are minor compared to those facing the powers that be in Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and Toronto (just to name a few.) But there are jobs up for grabs on the defensive line. A speedy kick returner could dazzle his way onto the team. And solid contributions on special teams are always the ticket for employment when it comes to young Canadians fresh out of the draft.
At quarterback, Henry Burris and Barrick Nealy are entrenched in the starter and backup jobs. But the role of clipboard holder is up for grabs between Drew Tate and Matt D?Orazio.
?You have to make your decisions in a short amount of time,? Hufnagel said. ?You base it a lot from what you see in practice. But the game also carries a lot of weight. You don?t want to see anybody hide when the lights go on? ?If you screw up in a game, you probably have to move on.?
Notes: The Stampeders released linebacker Brett Sturm. The list of the wounded includes DL Tom Johnson (calf), RB Demetris Summers (hamstring), safety Milton Collins (hamstring), WR Ken-Yon Rambo (hamstring), WR Brett Ralph (hamstring) and OL Jeff Pilon (knee, shoulder). OL Jesse Newman (ankle) remains on the disabled list.
