ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
The defending Grey Cup Champions enter Friday’s matchup with the Boatmen in a rather unfamiliar territory. With a sub-five hundred record and third in the CFL’s West Division, the Calgary Stampeders are still waiting to show the rest of the league that they are the same team that hoisted the ultimate prize in November of 2008.
Henry Burris has two of the CFL’s premier receivers at his disposal. Receivers Nik Lewis and Jermaine Copeland have combined for 902 yards receiving in seven games. In addition, Copeland has already recorded 6 touchdowns and is on pace to finish the season with a career high in that category.
The reality remains that on paper, this team has way too much talent to be showing the signs of inconsistency that they have over an entire 18-game schedule. In addition, factoring that the Stamps last two losses have come by a total of five points, one could argue that this team is just a few plays away from turning their season around.
Despite the slow start, Stamps QB Henry Burris still sits in second place among the league’s leaders in passing with 150 completions for 2,064 yards and 11 touchdowns. Burris enters the game with two of the league’s premier receivers in Nik Lewis and a rejuvenated Jermaine Copeland. The two veteran Stamps have combined for 902 yards.
Perhaps the most intriguing battle come Friday night will be the Stamps’ ground game versus the Argos’ defensive line. Stampeders running back Joffrey Reynolds will look to be a force in the backfield as he faces an Argos defensive line that has been a bit of a surprise this year versus the run.
Defensively, the Stampeders have more film on new Argos starter Cody Pickett as both of the red and white’s contests last year against the Boatmen were Pickett’s only other CFL starts.
The Stampeders make their only appearance at Rogers Centre this season Friday night at 7:30. For tickets, please call 416.872.5000 or CLICK HERE to purchase online.
» QB Henry Burris
» RB Joffrey Reynolds
» WR Jermaine Copeland
» WR Nik Lewis
» DL Mike Labinjo
» CB Dwight Anderson
» DB Brendan Browner
» How will RB Joffrey Reynolds produce against a very solid front four on the Argos defensive line?
» Will the Stamps put together their breakout game of 2009?
» How will the Argos young receivers fair against an experienced Stampeders secondary?