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February 8, 2016

Stamps’ approach to free agency

Photo by David Moll

Paul Newman, when asked about his everlasting devotion to wife Joanne Woodward, once famously replied: “Why go out for hamburgers when I have steak at home?”

In a roundabout way, the same thought could be applied to the Stampeders’ approach to free agency in recent years.

With the CFL’s best record since 2008 — an average of almost 13 victories per season, eight playoff appearances in eight years and two Grey Cup titles — the Stamps have found success by focusing their attention and loonies on the juicy rib-eyes, T-bones and filet mignons in their own fridge instead of fast-food takeout.

That’s held true once again this off-season as the Stamps have already locked up nine players whose contracts would have expired at 10 a.m. MST on Tuesday. That’s more than any other CFL team, some of whom have re-signed as few as three pending free agents.

Painful decisions have certainly been made along the way as popular veterans including defensive back Keon Raymond and Randy Chevrier will apparently hit the open market but, at the same time, the Stamps front office has effectively taken care of business in specific areas.

The defensive line was solidified with the signings of Junior Turner, Micah Johnson and Ben D’Aguilar. Some key secondary pieces were secured when Joe Burnett and Brandon McDonald signed and Brandon Smith inked an extension. And the depth at Canadian receiver was bolstered when Anthony Parker and Simon Charbonneau-Campeau put their names on the dotted line.

Those signings, when combined with long-term deals previously given to Bo Levi Mitchell, Marquay McDaniel, Joe West, Matt Walter, Deron Mayo, Jamar Wall, Joshua Bell, Rene Paredes, Rob Maver and the entire offensive line, gives the Stamps a solid corps heading into training camp.

General manager John Hufnagel doesn’t completely ignore the open market, but he has made a habit of by-passing the bigger names that typically sign on the first day of free agency and making selective, strategic and salary cap-conscious moves on Day 2 or later, particularly when the team has a specific need.

A perfect example came in the off-season prior to 2014 when Calgary quietly signed defensive back Joshua Bell, who was a key part of the 2014 Grey Cup championship team and earned West Division all-star honours a year ago.

Stampeders 2016 free agents

Signed: DL Frank Beltre, DB Joe Burnett, REC Simon Charbonneau-Campeau, DL Ben D’Aguilar, DL Micah Johnson, DB Brandon McDonald, RB Jerome Messam, REC Anthony Parker, LB Corbin Sharun, DL Junior Turner

Remaining: REC Jabari Arthur, LS Randy Chevrier, DL DeQuin Evans, REC Jeff Fuller, LB Karl McCartney, DB Keon Raymond

Signed with NFL: REC Eric Rogers (49ers), DL Freddie Bishop III (Jets)

Non-free-agent extensions: QB Drew Tate, DB Brandon Smith

Calgary’s February free-agent signings over the years

2008: Dwight Anderson (Ham.), JoJuan Armour (Ham.), Jermese Jones (Ssk.), Richard Karikari (Mtl.)

2009: Alain Kashama (Ham.)

2011: Tim St. Pierre (Edm.), Larry Taylor (Mtl.), Geoff Tisdale (Ham.)

2013: Yannick Carter (Ham.), Rod Davis (Mtl.)

2014: Joshua Bell (BC), Jock Sanders (Ssk.)

2015: Brandon Boudreaux (Ssk.)