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June 5, 2018

Working Together

Cohesion is the key.

It’s been a big focus for the Stampeders offensive line during training camp, as the rookies and veterans learn to gel.

The off-season saw a lot of turnover so there’s plenty of new faces at McMahon right now.

“All five of them have to be on the same page,” said offensive line coach Pat DelMonaco. “They’ve been growing together and they’ve been learning how to play with one another.”

Five-year veteran Shane Bergman shares DelMonaco’s sentiments, adding himself and the rest of the holdovers have been working hard to get the newcomers prepared.

“The veterans are doing a really good job of getting the rookies ready,” Bergman said. “You’re always working on cohesion, buts it’s coming along pretty quick.

“The rookies always start off a little bit slow because the playbook is a heavy install, but it’s coming along.”

And it’s not just the newbies settling in but some familiar faces, as well. Derek Dennis has returned to the Red &White this campaign, after leaving Calgary for a one-season stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2017.

“He’s re-learning what he knew and had to forget when he left,” DelMonaco explained. “It’s been a process for him to get back, and he’s starting to get to the point where he’s comfortable.”

While it always takes time to get acquainted with each other – and the play book – it’s just a matter of time until they find that compatibility. And when they do, the 2018 Stamps O-Line should be potent.

“It’s good to have Bergman back, Dennis is progressing in the right direction,” said DelMonaco.

Ucambre Williams, Brad Erdos and Spencer Wilson are all going the right way. I’m also really happy with the progression from the young guys.

“There’s depth right now at every spot which is good – guys have stayed healthy. There are guys in some new spots, and guys that were with us last year that are pushing. There’s also new guys that are pushing, too.”

With one pre-season tilt and almost three weeks of training camp under their belts, the O-Line gets another shot at game action Friday when they head to Saskatchewan to take on the Roughriders.

It’ll be yet another chance for the O-Line and the rest of the Stamps to not only compete against another squad, but also compete for a job.

“We’re trying to get better to make the team,” Bergman said. “We’re focused on the playbook, no mental errors, and hopefully get the ‘W’ in the end.”

“We want to play hard, which I think we did in the first game, and we want to do that again.” DelMonaco added.