Defensive Touchdowns Lead Stamps to Win

The Calgary Stampeders opened their second home game of the season, third game in total, in classic style dawning vintage 60's jerseys. Visiting were the 1-1 Toronto Argonauts coming off a recent loss to the Roughriders. Calgary, as you may recall, have yet to win a game this season--slow starts one of the big problems.

The Stamps were looking for sustained offense in the first half, instead they got a fumble. The usual sure handed Nik Lewis fumbled the ball after a couple of first downs. The Calgary D stood tall and when the offense came back on the field they marched all the way down for a major and 6 1/2 minutes of play time.

7-0 Stamps.


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The score was closer than first glace. Only 12 point difference to the lowly Winnipeg Bombers who have Edmonton's old third stringer at the helm. He threw for less yards than burris, but the difference in this game was....well everything. Calgary played terrible--period. There were no heroes, no standouts, no gamers.

Winnipeg, with Stefan Lefors at the helm, simply outperformed Calgary, but had a lot of help. 5 turnovers charged against the Stamps, that's enough to give the opposition the W.


Offence was abysmal. 14 points were scored by Nealy late in the fourth when the game was over. Only FOUR points in the first half, that's shameful. The Grey Cup Champions luckily have the entire season to work out the problems, but it's clear, they are two steps short of being game ready.

For the second game in a row they have come out of the gate slow. The offence refuses to use the run, receivers are consistently dropping passes and cutting off routes, as a result Burris is throwing INT.

The defence is no better. Only 1 sack in two games. Just like the past couple of years, the save money rookies are inserted into the D and it shows for the first 9 games of the season. Expect the same this year as Calgary exposes offensive weaknesses.

Special teams were non-existent too.

The only two positives of the game was Tim O'Neil's first start at center, he preformed well, and Barrick Nealy throwing for two touchdowns late in the fourth. Without Nealy's points, the score would have been closer to 18 - 42 for Winnipeg, which is a better reflection of this pathetic game.

A Chance for a turn around? Yes, no need to jump off the bandwagon, but fans can surely shake their head at a team that simply isn't prepared come kick-off.

Stamps Brutally Fail in Season Opener

With much at stake from bragging rights to 2009 confidence, the Montreal Alouettes destroyed Calgary in all facets the game except for special teams.

of July 1st, 2009 marked Canada Day and the launch of the 2009 CFL season. In fitting style, the Montreal Alouettes visited town for the re-match of last year's Grey Cup Final which saw Calgary claim the Championship in Montreal.

Both teams experienced changes during the off-season, and somehow, Calgary yet again opted for the 'let's overhaul the entire defense and start from scratch'. Fans were eager to see what the new Stamps would show, dominance on offence, renewed energy on defence, etc. That wasn't anywhere close to what transpired.

The Stampeders were absolutely embarrassed at home in the first half in their home opener. Not a single component of the game was working, and the team/coaches looked unprepared and confused. One 1st down in the 1st quarter and 17 points down. Good start--not.

Titus Ryan Explodes for Kick Return in Second

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Calgary Stampeders have locked in Henry Burris to a new four-year deal with the team. The 34-year-old pivot led the Stamps to a Grey Cup championship last season and is a two-time Western Division CFL All-Star (2005, 2008). The deal takes him to the ripe age of 38.

The 6'1, 190-pound Burris had 381 completions on 591 attempts for 39 touchdowns in the 2008 campaign en route to being named MVP and his first Grey Cup with the Stamps.

Teyo Johnson Returns to Stamps

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Getting ready for July 1st, 2009, the kick-off to the 2009 CFL season, the Stamps have finalised their roster.

RELEASED

Receiver Jackie Chambers*
Quarterback Matt D’Orazio*
Offensive lineman John Hashem
Defensive back Anthony Ivy*
Defensive lineman Julian Jenkins*
Receiver John Kanaroski
Defensive lineman E.J. Kuale*
Defensive back Perry Kyles*
Receiver Vincent Marshall*
Fullback Scott McHenry
Running back Cedric Thompson*
Jojuan Armour (Released before)

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In an apparent 'culmination of events' the Calgary Stampeders released veteran middle-linebacker JoJuan Armour due to an on field incident that happened Friday. Read the rest of this entry »

Ticketmaster and Stampeders Ticket Racket?

We're starting to hear some more groaning over Grey Cup ticket events. Back in November fans and season ticket holders had the chance to reserve their right to purchase Grey Cup tickets when they went on sale at the start of this month. A deposit of $50 / ticket was required. Nobody knew what the prices were going to be but you could expect something comparable to Montreal (although, what fan goes searching for past Grey Cup ticket prices in order to decide what the price 'may or may not' be?)

Well a couple months later the prices are released and a Safeway ticket in family zone for 15 bucks last season is now FIFTEEN (15X) times higher for the Grey Cup. On one hand you should expect the price increase and cudos to the management for jacking up prices knowing the place will be full, it's business.

What's not cool is how fans placed a deposit through Ticketmaster in November, realised the cheapest ticket was $225 bucks, and decided not to get ticket. These people LOST their deposit--they received no refund and no ticket for their troubles. Between Ticketmaster and the Stamps someone pocketed $50 PER reserved ticket that was not purchased. Read the rest of this entry »