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May 27, 2017

Position analysis

Photo by David Moll

As we head into 2017 training camp, let’s take a closer look at each position.

Quarterbacks

Returnees: Bo Levi Mitchell*, Andrew Buckley

Newcomers: Mitchell Gale*, Ricky Stanzi*

Departures: Drew Tate*

Analysis: In what qualifies as one of the most meaningless spoilers of all time, head coach Dave Dickenson has declared that Bo Levi Mitchell will be his starter in 2017. Considering Mitchell was the league’s Most Outstanding Player in 2016, that’s hardly stop-the-presses news. It gets interesting after that, however, as lining up behind Mitchell is second-year local product Andrew Buckley, who handled the short-yardage work a season ago, four-year CFL vet Mitchell Gale, who saw a few starts as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2016, as well as Ricky Stanzi, the rangy former University of Iowa star who has a few NFL gigs on his resume. Stamps coaches are adamant that despite the spotty recent history of Canadian quarterbacks in the CFL, Buckley is a legitimate and fully qualified contender for the No. 2 job.

 

Running backs

Returnees: Rob Cote, Roy Finch*, William Langlais, Jerome Messam, Charlie Power

Newcomers: Jacobi Green*, Ante Milanovic-Litre, Terry Williams*, Anthony Woodson

Departures: Tory Harrison*

Analysis: Dickenson hasn’t made any proclamations on the starting tailback position but let’s go ahead and assume Jerome Messam – the 2016 rushing champion and Most Outstanding Canadian award winner – is the man. There have been media questions asked about the need to carefully manage the workload for a back who just turned 32, but the Stamps believe the bruising runner still has lots of miles left thanks to some light utilization earlier in his career. The release of oft-injured Tory Harrison leaves an opening for a newcomer to claim a job. Roy Finch is primarily a return man but he also sees occasional duty in the backfield while veteran Canadian Anthony Woodson returns to his native Calgary after five seasons with the Blue Bombers, Argonauts and Tiger-Cats. The deep crop of fullbacks is led by Rob Cote, the elder statesman on the team with a full decade of service with the Red and White. He’s joined by Charlie Power and William Langlais. Draft pick Ante Milanovic-Litre provides possible versatility as he has experience both at tailback and fullback.

 

Receivers

Returnees: Jarrett Boykin*, Juwan Brescacin, DaVaris Daniel*, Lemar Durant, Kamar Jorden*, Marquay McDaniel*, Jamal Nixon*, Anthony Parker

Newcomers: Reggie Begleton*, A.J. Cruz*, Rory Kohlert, Julan Lynch, Marken Michel*, Richard Sindani, Kevin Smith*

Departures: Simon Charbonneau-Campeau, Bakari Grant*, Joe West*, Greg Wilson*

Analysis: Marquay McDaniel and Anthony Parker are the lone regulars remaining from a receiving corps that has been overhauled over the past three years. But as starters have left, pass-catchers such as Kamar Jorden, DaVaris Daniels and Lemar Durant have stepped up. Daniels spent the first eight weeks of the 2016 season on the practice roster before getting his shot and made up for lost time so well that he was the CFL’s rookie of the year. Jorden also took advantage of increased playing time over the latter stages of the 2016 season including a couple of big performances in the post-season. Durant has a shot at earning increased playing time as he enters his third season. Juwan Brescacin saw limited action as a rookie in 2016 but he also will get a chance to contribute more. Longtime Winnipeg Blue Bomber Rory Kohlert fills the vacancy created by Simon Charbonneau-Campeau’s decision to retire.

 

Offensive linemen

Returnees: Shane Bergman, Brad Erdos, Dan Federkeil, Roman Grozman, Pierre Lavertu, Randy Richards*, Quinn Smith, Cam Thorn, Ucambre Williams*, Spencer Wilson

Newcomers: Devonte Danzey* Felix Gacusana, Mike McQueen*, Justin Renfrow*

Departures: Ruben Carter*, Derek Dennis*, Karl Lavoie

Analysis: The Stamps are weighing their options throughout the roster, which means they haven’t made a final decision on whether three or four Canadians will start on the offensive line. The left tackle job is available after the free-agent departure of Derek Dennis and holdover internationals Randy Richards and Ucambre Williams will battle a crop of rookies for first crack at the job. Returning Canadians Shane Bergman, Spencer Wilson, Pierre Lavertu, Brad Erdos, Dan Federkeil, Cam Thorn and Roman Grozman are among the building blocks up front and, after a couple of injury-ravaged seasons on the line, health will go a long way in determining who plays where. Quinn Smith, a defensive lineman who filled in on an emergency basis in each of the past two seasons, has officially been converted to the offensive side of the ball, although he likely won’t be available until Labour Day as he recovers from a knee injury.

 

Defensive lineman

Returnees: Ben D’Aguilar, J’Gared Davis*, Charleston Hughes*, Micah Johnson*, Cordarro Law*, Junior Turner, Derek Wiggan

Newcomers: Randy Colling, Kashawn Fraser*, Alexandre Gagnon, Bryan Hall*, Jeff Luc*, Kingsley Ibeh*, Michael Kashak, Mike Rose*, James Vaughters*

Departures: Frank Beltre*, Brandon Boudreaux*, Zach Minter*

Analysis: Mainstay Charleston Hughes – the CFL’s sack champion in 2016 – is back at defensive end, as are Cordarro Law and Ja’Gared Davis. At tackle, Micah Johnson looks to repeat his 2016 CFL all-star form while ex-Argo Bryan Hall was signed as a free agent. Canadian Junior Turner will miss the start of the season because of injury, which opens the door for Derek Wiggan to earn increased duties. The team has high hopes for Randy Colling, the team’s top pick in the 2017 draft.

 

Linebackers

Returnees: Maleki Harris*, Dexter Janke, Deron Mayo*, Alex Singleton

Newcomers: Riley Jones, Beau Landry, Todd Thomas*

Departures: Max Caron, Glenn Love*

Analysis: Alex Singleton heads into his first full season as the starting middle linebacker and the Stamps are counting on team captain Deron Mayo – who missed the end of the 2016 season with a serious knee injury – to reclaim his job on the weak side as soon as he’s back to full strength. Maleki Harris has a chance to see more defensive action with Glenn Love having moved on and national Beau Landry joined the Stamps in the off-season after three seasons in Hamilton.

 

Defensive backs

Returnees: Joshua Bell*, Joe Burnett*, Jarrett Bush*, Tommie Campbell*, Ciante Evans*, Osagie Odiase*, Shaquille Richardson*, Joel Ross*, Chris Rwabukamba, Adam Thibault, Brandon Smith*, Jamar Wall*

Newcomers: Tunde Adeleke, Trenton Coles*, Marvin Ross*, Adam Laurensse, Jordan Sefon*

Departures: Adam Berger, Matt Bucknor

Analysis: The Stamps could conceivably bring back all six of their starters from 2016 including three – cornerbacks Ciante Evans and Tommie Campbell as well as halfback Jamar Wall – who earned CFL all-star honours last year. Brandon Smith has been a reliable presence at the other halfback spot and incumbent safety Joshua Bell also returns. At the SAM position, Joe Burnett is the returning starter and the Stamps also have returning vets Shaquille Richardson and Osagie Odiase slotted there heading into camp.

 

Kickers/Long Snappers

Returnees: Rob Maver, Rene Paredes, Pierre-Luc Caron

Newcomers: None

Departures: None

Analysis: No changes here as Rene Paredes and Rob Maver, the kicking tandem since 2012, return for a sixth season together. Pierre-Luc Caron, who claimed the long-snapping duties as a rookie in 2016, is also back.