The Stampeders linebackers have played a crucial role for the team so far this season.

One is tied for second in the league in tackles.

Another has a pair of touchdowns.

And one even balled out with two sacks on the defensive line.

No matter the job, no matter the situation, this group has been vital to the team’s strong start in 2017.

“I think everyone is stepping up big on special teams and playing defence,” said second-year middle linebacker Alex Singleton. “The young guys are playing all over, not just on defence but on special teams as well. Shoot, we’ve got a long snapper that also plays linebacker. But Riley [Jones] stepped up huge being able to play long snapper and [Jameer] Thurman is all over the field and when [Dexter] Janke was healthy, he was flying around. Having [Deron] Mayo in the room coaching the young guys up, that’s huge. It’s been a good group so far.”

Linebackers Jameer Thurman and Wynton McManis during a game in Winnipeg on July 7, 2017

Linebacker coach Brent Monson is pleased with his group’s performance through four games, but he realizes that there’s still room to grow.

“They’ve been doing a good job,” said Monson. “They’re putting in the extra work. They’re always prepared, they come in early, and they’re putting in the hours, so it’s been a reflection of that.

“I think they’ve been playing pretty well. I mean, we all have to get better, there’s a lot of areas for improvement for the whole defence.”

An easy way to get better would be to get back last year’s defensive captain Deron Mayo, who is currently on the six-game injury reserve list.

In the meantime the active players will keep working hard and gleaning as much knowledge as they can from Monson, Mayo and the other coaches.

“Just practise and as much film as possible,” Singleton said. “Know who you’re playing, because if you know what they’re going to do, it makes your job easier to fly around and be fast.”

If this group of skilled linebackers continues to improve, just how high is their ceiling?

“As high as they want to make it,” declared Monson. “The more work and preparation they want to put in, the better they’ll be.”

“We want to be the best,” said Singleton. “You always want to be the best, so to hopefully be in that conversation is where you want to be. But it’s not just as a (position) group, but as a defence. I don’t care if we have the best linebacker group and the worst defence, that’s not exciting. I’d rather have the best defence that’s undefeated at the end of the year. That being said, it’s never bad to be the best.”