They’ve practised and practised and then practised some more.

For the last two weeks – and more for the rookies and quarterbacks – the Stampeders players have gone up against one another in drills, in one-on-one situations and in a mock game.

Forgive them if they’ve grown tired of looking at one another and are itching to start hitting for real.

“I’m just excited to get out there and fly around,” says Alex Singleton, this year’s first-round selection in the 2016 CFL Draft. “I’m looking to hit someone else other than our own guys and get back to playing football again.”

And CFL fans everywhere can agree with the rookie linebacker — it’s finally June and football is back.

This season holds a lot of great storylines with the handing over of the headset from John Hufnagel to newly minted head coach Dave Dickenson and the departure of some long-time players in Juwan Simpson, Keon Raymond and Jon Cornish, to name a few.

With roster spots available, a crop of rookie hopefuls are champing at the bit to show what they can do on the field in the hopes of filling one of those spots.

“The biggest thing I’m looking forward to, other than being on the field against somebody else, is seeing these young guys and what they can do,” says veteran wide receiver Anthony Parker.

“You see flashes on the practice field but you never really know what you’re going to get until the game is live.”

Parker understands the jitters some rookies may feel heading into their first real CFL game action.

A former standout at the University of Calgary, Parker recalls being nervous when taking his first steps as a pro. Now a veteran of more than a few pre-season games, he looks forward to getting back to the field and regaining his game speed.

“I want to get some competition against another team and see what they’re doing out there and get my mind working again in terms of reading defences and seeing where the holes are and things like that,” says Parker.

One of his fellow receivers, rookie DaVaris Daniels, is looking forward to being able to show the coaches why he belongs in the CFL. While Daniels admits the excitement of the game can be hard to control, he knows trying to do too much could end up hurting his chances in the end.

“You always think that you have to make a play on this play,” says Daniels.

“The one thing is you just have to try and stay within the frame of the offence and take it one play at a time. You try not to do too much and limit your mistakes.”

Singleton agrees wholeheartedly.

“Just do your job,” says Singleton. “You don’t have to come out with some big hit and take someone’s head off every play, or make a tackle on every play. Just go out there, do your job and the coaches will know who’s executing.”