Saturday’s loss against the B.C. Lions was a tough one for the Calgary Stampeders. However, the Stampeders are not ones to dwell on the past. They’d rather focus on the next game. Calgary will need to focus on one aspect before their home game this week. Defence will be the key for a Calgary Stampeder win in week two.
Calgary’s first home game on Friday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be an important one. Calgary does not want to lose two in a row and don’t want to lose in front of a home crowd. There were several mishaps on both sides of the ball against the Lions. And those are sure to be addressed this week in practice. Blame could be put on the Stamps failed attempts at the one yard line, or Rene Paredes‘ missed field goals, but what really needs to happen is a tighter defence.
Defence Will be Key
The Stamps defence was not bad at all. In fact, Charleston Hughes kept Jonathan Jennings scrambling for most of the night. But what was concerning was the defence’s inability to stop the Lions in the last minutes of the game. B.C. had ran out the clock and Bo Levi Mitchell didn’t have any time for another potential game-winning drive. This is very uncharacteristic of the Stampeders. Their ability in stopping drives and winning games in the last minutes has almost become a trademark for the Stamps. And one trademark that coaches and fans don’t want to lose.
Some losses in the off season on the defensive side are probably partly to blame. And there were some injuries to the line, including Junior Turner and Joshua Bell most notably. But the Stampeders have to focus on tightening up the holes that were evident on the defensive team. B.C.’s Jeremiah Johnson ran 33 yards in four carries in the last minute. That can’t keep happening, especially as the season progresses. More time is needed for Mitchell to at least get the ball within field goal range and give Paredes another shot at a field goal.
Come Friday, all eyes will be on how to stop the Blue Bombers. The Bombers are a good team, and they have some good weapons on offence, including tailback Andrew Harris. Formerly with the Lions, Harris ranked second in the league in rushing last year. Calgary will not want to repeat what happened on Saturday. Calgary will have to tighten up their coverage, on Harris, and especially in the last few minutes of the game.
Cause for Concern?
They should not press the panic button yet. It’s way too early in the season and as mentioned earlier, there were many good things that happened in game one on all sides. But it’s easier to remember the bad after the sting of a loss. There just needs to be a bit of adjustment in coverage and a little bit of time. That is something that the Calgary Stampeders are very good at, adjusting.
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