Earlier in training camp, we asked fans to submit questions they had about the Stamps and their favourite players.

Well, we went out and got you the answers!

Q: How do you practice gaining yards after contact when you’re no longer allowed to have padded practices during the season?

A: With the new rules being implemented as a player safety initiative, it does make it more difficult to simulate the same contact players would receive during a game.

“It’s definitely hard,” said running back Terry Williams. “I just try to use my imagination. If I see a guy coming close to me, I just try to give a stiff arm and brace for contact, just try to anticipate it. It is the hardest thing to do with no pads, when the only time you get contact is in the game. But like I said, I try my best and use my imagination as best as I can.

“We do a lot of ball security where a guy runs beside us and tries to strip the ball out. I think that’s the best thing for us because even though we don’t have pads on, you still get used to that contact and feeling someone next to you and trying to hit the ball out. It’s the hardest thing in the world, but we make the best of it.”

Q: After back-to-back Grey Cup losses, what is the team doing differently this year to ensure a championship for the team?

A: “I actually think we need to keep doing the same,” said quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, whose team won 28 of 36 regular-season games over the past two seasons.

“I think we need to have that same formula we had last year. Play every game as its own game and as the most important game of our careers. Focus on what we can control, which right now is the West Division. It’s not a different formula or something we have to do differently, we just have to finish. We’re two plays away from having two rings on our fingers. You can’t overthink it, but you can’t act like it didn’t happen.”

Q: How does it feel to play under the lights and in front of such large crowds?

A: “Oh man, there’s nothing like it,” said Williams. “You come out here every day and there are not too many fans out here so you drag through practice. But when you get to the games, it’s all worth it. Hearing the fans out here – it’s show time – it’s the best feeling in the world.”

Q: Who is the better passer – Rene Paredes or Rob Maver?

A: Moments prior to asking our punter Maver this question, all of the media on the sideline watched as he outdid quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell by hitting the crossbar on the uprights from 30 yards out. So, that tells you something.

“Thirty-yard line, first try. Say no more,” said Maver. “I’m a better passer than Rene and I think he would agree with that.”

Q: Does Jon Cornish still come and watch all the games?

A: Yes he does! Jon is a great ambassador for Stampeders football and is involved in a number of game day activities around McMahon Stadium. Though the one you’ll most likely see him doing is cheering on the team from the sidelines with his big Stamps flag!

Q: What do the players eat for a typical pre-game meal and does the team have a sports nutritionist?

A: Let’s begin with the second part of the question. The Stamps don’t have a nutritionist on staff, but let’s allow Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Taylor Altilio to explain.

“We don’t have a quote-on-quote nutritionist. My job is to keep the guys healthy throughout the season. As far as nutrition, these guys have come as far as they have because they know what their body needs. In training camp, they basically eat everything and try to keep it as clean as they can. Lots of greens, veggies, lots of chicken and other proteins, but the biggest thing is hydration with all of the long, hot days.

“Pre-game meals are different for everyone. On the road, we get a huge buffet and they’ve got everything from eggs, to pancakes, to chicken, to spaghetti and more. You name it, it’s out there. Everyone on the team has a different thing. Bo will eat something different than Shane Bergman and so on. Everyone has their own pre-game rituals and what works for them.”

Q: Is the Grey Cup coming to Calgary this year?

A: “Absolutely,” guaranteed Mitchell. “Every year I strap these pads up, I’m going to do everything that I can to put us in the best position to hoist it. We have an amazing young team this year and I think we have a great chance. We’ve got guys that have the experience, too. So we’ve just got to go out there and get it.”