cfl.ca Training Camp Primer: Can the Stamps repeat?

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.cfl.ca/article/training-camp ... mps-repeat

Training Camp Primer: Can the Stamps repeat?

Posted: May 23, 2015 09:00 AM

CFL.ca Staff

CALGARY – With training camps opening in less than a week, CFL.ca is taking a look at the buzz surrounding each team entering the 2015 campaign.

Key Roster Changes

Additions:
DB Joe Burnett
DB Tevaughn Campbell
WR Lamar Durant
OL Karl Lavoie
LB Jasper Simmons


Subtractions:
DB Quincy Butler
OL Stanley Bryant
OL Brett Jones
DL Shawn Lemon
SB Nik Lewis
WR Maurice Price
WR Brad Sinopoli

Key Statistic

11,250

The total number of career receiving yards for Nik Lewis during his 11 years with Calgary before leaving to sign with the Als this off-season.

The rest of the Stamps receivers and slotbacks combined career total? 3,834 yards, barely over a third of Lewis’ mark.


Before training camp even opened last season, the Stampeders shook up the CFL by acquiring the first overall pick from the REDBLACKS. Calgary carried on that positive momentum by rattling off 10 wins in its first 11 games while the team’s offence ended up leading the league in total points. The Stamps ended the season on the highest possible note by hoisting the Grey Cup and now look to continue their momentum this year.

3 THINGS TO WATCH

The pressure's on

The Stampeders have never repeated as Grey Cup Champions while no CFL team has repeated since the Alouettes in 2009-2010. The Stamps were the class of the league a year ago and with every team looking to emulate their success, can they withstand the pressure -- especially following some key off-season subtractions?

What kind of workload will Jon Cornish have?

The running back dominated the CFL last year, winning the rushing title despite only playing in nine regular season games because of various injuries. Despite that, he still was named Most Outstanding Canadian for the third straight year. Will the Stamps look to protect their superstar asset through training camp and pre-season?

Who will step up at receiver?

Calgary’s receiving corps suffered a devastating blow in the off-season, losing Maurice Price, Brad Sinopoli and Nik Lewis. While stalwart slotback Marquay McDaniel remains with the team, others will have to pick up some of the new yards available to them in the passing offence. One intriguing name who could fill the void is second-round pick Lemar Durant, who some tab as the steal of the draft.

POSITION BATTLE

Keep an eye on the Stamps' defensive backfield. The Stamps were a middle-of-the-pack defensive team in terms of total yards allowed last season and after the off-season departure of Quincy Butler, Calgary brought in established veteran corner Joe Burnett. He will join last year's starting corners Buddy Jackson and Fred Bennett.

The battle will also rage at receiver, where Joe West, Eric Rogers, Sederrick Cunningham and Jeff Fuller among others will battle for time out wide.

BULLETIN BOARD

“I think the number of times that people have been able to repeat is not that great, so just by doing the math I’d say that repeating is more of a challenge than winning the first time.”

- Calgary Stampeders GM John Hufnagel on the difficulty of repeating as Grey Cup Champions.

[WestCoastJoe]

The Stampeders have never repeated as Grey Cup Champions while no CFL team has repeated since the Alouettes in 2009-2010. The Stamps were the class of the league a year ago and with every team looking to emulate their success, can they withstand the pressure -- especially following some key off-season subtractions?

Yes. The class of the league. Under the leadership of John Hufnagel.

What kind of workload will Jon Cornish have?

The running back dominated the CFL last year, winning the rushing title despite only playing in nine regular season games because of various injuries. Despite that, he still was named Most Outstanding Canadian for the third straight year. Will the Stamps look to protect their superstar asset through training camp and pre-season?

He is a load as a running back. This fan is glad to see Cornish just play football, as he has been doing. No silly pants tricks. More grace with the media and fans, as he seems to have shown.

Who will step up at receiver?

Calgary’s receiving corps suffered a devastating blow in the off-season, losing Maurice Price, Brad Sinopoli and Nik Lewis. While stalwart slotback Marquay McDaniel remains with the team, others will have to pick up some of the new yards available to them in the passing offence. One intriguing name who could fill the void is second-round pick Lemar Durant, who some tab as the steal of the draft.

Yes, the eyes will be on Durant. And I expect Calgary will bring him along at the right pace.

[TheLionKing]

Until the Stamps are dethrone, they are still the team to beat in the CFL