Team overhaul expected to help Stamps’ turnaround this season

By Lethbridge Herald on May 7, 2025.

Graham Kelly

INSIDE THE CFL

“Everything will be different this year, every aspect of the team will change. New coaches, new players, a new fresh approach. The team will have a different personality. “ So said Calgary Stampeder Coach and GM Dave Dickenson while  preparing for the 2025 CFL campaign.

No wonder a major overhaul is in the works. In 2023 they were 6-12 but finished third. Last year for the first time in Dickenson’s  tenure, they missed the playoffs, finishing dead last.

 A ton of talent mosied out of the Crowchild Corral during the off-season.  Three of the four starters on the defensive line are gone: Julian Howsar to Hamilton, Mike Rose to Saskatchewan and James Vaughters to Winnipeg.   Great leader and outside linebacker Cameron Judge was traded to Toronto while linebackers Micah Awe and Adam Konar signed with B.C. Awe and Judge were all-stars.  Nor was the secondary spared.  Long-time veteran corners Demerio Houston and  Tre Roberson , having lost a step or two, succumbed to Father Time.  Kobe Williams is now an Elk while Brandon Dozier is a Tiger-Cat. So nine starters on defence are gone, including five former or present all-stars.

However, we should keep in mind in 2024 they gave up the most points in the West, 8th in the CFL, surrendered the most yardage, 9th vs. the run but 3rd against the pass. They ranked 7th in sacks, worst in fumbles recovered, 4th in interceptions.  They had the league worst Giveaway/Takeaway ratio at minus 23. In other words, despite the big names, they stunk        To replace them Dickenson signed several CFL veteran free agents.  To bolster the D-line, he brought in former Stamp and Argo Folarin Orimolade, Roughrider Miles Brown and Cedric Wilcots from Hamilton.  Orimolade is a force.  Look for holdovers Clarence Hicks and Kai Dava to rotate in and out. Returning line backers Micah Teitz and Jacob Roberts will team up with acquisitions Derrick Moncrief (Saskatchewan and Edmonton) Gary Johnson Jr.(Ottawa) . All-Canadian RedBlack DB Damon Webb  will dramatically improve  the secondary with former Lion Adrian Greene and returnees Tyler Richardson, Bentlee Sanders,Daniel Amoako  and Ben Labrosse. The made over defence will undergo their baptism of fire in their June 7th home opener when Bo Levi Mitchell and the Tiger-Cats come to town hungry for horsemeat.

 The big loss on offence is perennial all-star centre Sean McEwan now wearing green and white. He will be replaced by Rodeem Brown.  Others who can play any position on the line are Byrce Bell and Christy Nkanu, although Dickenson wants a different approach  for the interior line. The returning tackles are D’Antne Demery and Joshua Coker.  Calgary usually has a good, deep offensive line. This year should be no different.

 Of course, the big acquisition is quarterback Vernon Adams, Jr. formerly with B.C. and Montreal.   Gone is the drive-killing, spirit-stifling Jake Maier to Mosaic where he will be reunited with his former offensive coordinator Marc Mueller. I’ve never seen anyone quite like Maier. He never showed the bravado most quarterbacks to but he was always open, friendly and quiet.  After a game. win or lose,he would discuss what had transpired in a calm, detached fashion, almost as if he was talking about someone else.

     Adams “Big Play Va” Jr.on the other hand is a rah-rah guy, a confident leader bursting with enthusiasm and joy. happy to be alive and playing the game he loves.

     Who will be No. 2? Important considering Adams, Jr.’s injury history.  “P.J. Walker gets the first shot,” said the coach. “I also like Josh Love.” Walker had seven starts in the NFL.

  A major priority was upgrading the receiving corps.  Their first pick in the CFL draft was Damien Alfred from Syracuse and Utah.  “He’s got highway speed,” raved Dickenson.  “He’s 6’5”, 225 lbs. There are some very successful  receivers in our league that don’t have those measurables.  Vernon loves big receivers and we certainly want to surround him with as many weapons as possible.”

    To that end he signed Dominique Rhymes from Ottawa and Elk Tevin Jones. The incomparable Reggie Begelton is back along with Malik Henry and Jalen Philpot both hoping to have recovered from injuries. They are huge question marks.

     Lugging the leather will be Dedrick Mills.

  Punter Cody Grace defected to Edmonton.  But Rene Paredes is back along with the best long snapper in all of football, Medicine Hat’s Aaron Crawford.