We are half-way through the CFL season; it’s time to look at the Calgary Stampeders 2015 mid-season report. How have the defending Grey Cup Champions done? Let’s break down and grade the Stampeders’ team in each facet of their game.
Calgary Stampeders 2015 Mid-season Report
Offence: A-
Unlike most of the teams early on in the CFL season, Calgary’s Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell has stayed healthy and avoided injury. So far this season he has completed 207 out of 316 passes for 2,733 yards and has registered 15 touchdowns. With the latest win in the first of two Labour Day games, Mitchell’s career record has improved to 23-4, which is a better record than other CFL quarterback in Canadian history.
But the season didn’t start off that way. In their second game this season, Calgary lost to the Montreal Alouettes, and in Week 5, lost to the Ottawa Redblacks. The following three games were decided by three points. Mitchell didn’t look like the confident 2014 Grey Cup MVP and started throwing more interceptions and incomplete passes. The change came in Week 7 when the Stampeders pounded the Ottawa Redblacks 48-3. It seemed as though the team had turned a corner and started playing as a complete team.
If Mitchell does go down, however, it’s important to note that the Stampeders have been blessed with the league’s top quarterback trio, including Bo Levi Mitchell, Drew Tate, and Bryant Moniz – all capable of leading the team to a win.
What about the receiving corps? During 2015 training camp, there was much talk about the loss of Nik Lewis, Maurice Price, and Brad Sinopoli, and what that would do to the Stamps’ lineup. But the team still had veteran receivers who could be counted on to make plays, including Marquay McDaniel, Jeff Fuller, Anthony Parker, and break-out star from last season Eric Rogers.
Let’s talk about Eric Rogers! It’s become a well-known saying among the players that the end zone is “Mr. Rogers’ Neighbourhood”, and for good reason. In his first ten games in the season, he recorded nine touchdowns – and counting.
What does need to be noted in the offensive line is the injuries that have plagued the Stampeders. In the off season, the Stamps lost Brett Jones and Stanley Bryant to the NFL and trades. Edwin Harrison was to make up for the loss, plus some acquisitions that Coach John Hufnagel made during the off season, but Harrison has been hurt, calling up the Stamps’ “next man up” for coverage. Dan Federkeil, a veteran offensive lineman, has also been injured, keeping him out of the game.
Then Jon Cornish, the CFL’s top league rusher, was placed on the injured list with a broken thumb. The Stamps do the same as they’ve always done: bring up the next player. Matt Walter and Tory Harrison have done a great job covering the running position, but one has to wonder what the team would be like with Cornish leading the rushing game.
The slow start and loss of key players like Cornish has kept the offence’s report card score to an A-.
Defence: B+
Last game showed the first major change in Calgary’s defensive game. At first, unnecessary penalties slowed the offence. This is the same reason all those games were decided by three of fewer points: due to sloppiness. It wasn’t the new 2015 CFL rules or officiating that caused a problem; it was laziness. But the Stampeders’ defensive line, they have some of the top players in the league, namely Charleston Hughes, Juwan Simpson, Keon Raymond, and Fred Bennett. Injuries did keep Hughes out until most recently, but it’s only been the last couple of games when the defence has finally started stepping up when they were most needed. And now the defence has been shining, especially this past Monday, when they kept Edmonton to only seven points.
I want to see a more consistent defence along with fewer penalties to bring my score up.
Special Teams: A
Last year and 2013, the Calgary Stampeders’ special teams, led by Mark Kilam, was especially good. Kicker Rene Parades in 2013 was 54 out of 57 field goals and even passed Paul McCallum’s record of 30 consecutive field goals. In 2014, Parades was 34 of 45 field goal attempts. In 2015, he seems to be on par with the previous year. Punter, Rob Maver has recently shown incredible athleticism, averaging 46.8 yards, with the longest being 88 yards. Maver has consistently kicked in the back corner, giving the opposition very poor field position. In 2014, he earned Stampeders’ nominee for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player and named a West division all-star.
The Stamps’ special teams receive a well-deserved A. As mentioned previously, many games have been won by fewer than three points and I believe it’s because of the special teams’ efforts.
Overall Grade: A-
Calgary sits on top of the West Division for now. Most people would give them a higher score because of this; I am reserving a higher report grade until they start playing more consistent and better football. They need to get rid of unnecessary penalties. The coaching staff needs to instill more disciplined football. That’s when you’ll see an A+ football team.
We’ll see what the last half of the season and post-season brings for the Calgary Stampeders, but until then, there’s a lot more football to be played. Isn’t this the best time of year for CFL football?
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