It wasn’t a difficult day to fill a notepad at McMahon Stadium. Here are a handful of notes and quotes from Wednesday’s practice, the first for the Calgary Stampeders since suffering a 55-36 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Moncton.
• Running back Joffrey Reynolds, who was scratched for Touchdown Atlantic, was running drills with the scout team during Wednesday’s session, with Jon Cornish and rookie LaMarcus Coker splitting time with the starters. Asked after practice about his running back situation, Hufnagel said he “will probably stay status quo” for Saturday’s meeting with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. For his part, Reynolds told reporters “I haven’t had an explanation on when or if I’ll be playing. I guess I’ll have to stay tuned.”
• Fresh off a stint on the nine-game injured list, Arjei Franklin capped Wednesday’s practice with a couple of great grabs, serving notice he’s ready to return to the lineup for Saturday’s showdown. Rookie Anthony Parker had some solid showings while Franklin recovered from a rib injury, but the former Calgary Dinos standout will likely be scratched for Saturday’s game.
• He hasn’t missed nearly as much action as Franklin, but speedster Larry Taylor was a participant in Wednesday’s workout and the Stamps are hopeful he’ll be able to go against the Riders after missing the game in Moncton. If Taylor is available, Landan Talley would likely sit.
• J’Micheal Deane switched sweaters for Wednesday’s practice, returning to his old haunts on the offensive line after moonlighting on the other side of the trenches. Hufnagel explained that Deane was on the offensive line just in case centre Jon Gott (leg) wasn’t available for Saturday’s game, leaving the door open for Deane to spend a bit more time on the defensive line. Gott did participate in Wednesday’s practice.
• And how could we forget five newcomers? One day after being added to an expanded practice roster, quarterback Dwight Dasher, receiver Joe Horn (no, not that Joe Horn), defensive back De’von Hall and defensive linemen Chris McCoy and Brandon Sharpe all made their debuts at practice. Don’t expect to see any of them in Saturday’s lineup.
— Wes Gilbertson
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Sun CFL links
Calgary
• Moncton a horror show for Stamps link
Edmonton
• Import bookends lead Eskimos link
Winnipeg
• Smart money on Brink starting link
• Garrett ready to tote for Blue link
Hamilton
• Thigpen’s time to shine link
• Mariuz returns to Cats link
Toronto
• Lineman loves to hit players, books link
• Argos in bizarro world link
I have to vent a bit about how bad the stadium in Moncton was for many. Its a joke and the CFL should not be lowering themselves to play in a location. Where the intrest is so obviously low.
I paid close to $100 per seat after tax to be put in seats where you could not see the field. How they can sell the seats on the aisle Row P as non obstructed view seats is a crime.
If that wasn’t bad enough the locals never. Sat down, a constant stream of “fans” up and down the stirs to get fries took any possible view of the game of the real fans who actually paid for the seats.
Ill never go back to Moncton and support a move to sEe the CFL never does either.