Sports Take

Part two of the coast-to-coast season previews will focus on the Stampeders, the who’s in and out and what it’ll mean to the worst team in the CFL last season.

Who’s In
Vernon Adams Jr Qb
Gary Johnson Jr Lb
Damon Webb Db
Fraser Sopik Lb
Miles Brown DL
Godfrey Onyeka Db
Tevin Jones Wr
Derrick Moncrief Lb
Jeshrun Antwi Rb
Adrian Greene Db

Who’s Out
Jake Maier Qb
Micah Awe Lb
Julian Howsare DL
Rysen John Wr
Adam Konar Lb
Peyton Logan Rb
Sean McEwan C
Tyson Middlemost Wr
Tre Odoms-Dukes Wr
Matthew Shiltz Qb
Tommy Stevens Qb
Kobe Williams Db

What it all means
Let’s face it, when you get the first overall draft choice it’s easy to say you stank up the room in a massive way, there’s no where to go but up. The Stampeders are notorious for not really spending in free agency, or taking big swings in the trade game. Well they did both, making the trade that sees the front runner in the Most Outstanding Player before an injury in Vernon Adams Jr. With the trade it meant incumbent starter Jake Maier was shipped out to Saskatchewan, more on that when we get there. Adams had an outstanding start to the 2024 season, on pace to pass for over 6000 yards in a season through 7 games. It’s safe to say he is the number one guy in the Stampede City.

The weakness’ were many and hard to not point out, which made the drafting and signing of first overall pick Damien Alford, Wideout from the University of Utah, both a head scratcher and making perfect sense. In 46 games at the NCAA level, Alford posted 67 catches for 1291 yards and 7 touchdowns. Only appearing in 4 games in his senior season at Utah, registering zero’s across the board in his stats. This could be a brilliant pick or a complete bust.

The Stampeders have shaken up every position, and there’s some hope, remains to be seen if the offseason work has paid off.
I’m expecting the Stamps to finish the season at a 7-11 record.