Stampeders new defence solid to start CFL season with Redblacks coming to Calgary

Article content

They say defence wins championships.

For now, the Calgary Stampeders are just happy to have it win games.

Through two contests to start the 2025 Canadian Football League campaign, the Stampeders defence has played a pivotal part in a pair of victories.

Not bad for a group that underwent wholesale changes over the off-season.

“I think just trying to build, to be honest,” said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson of his new defence, featuring fresh starters at every position compared to the 2024 lineup.

“We’re not really too worried about identity yet,” continued Dickenson. “We’re just trying to make sure we’re getting better and trying to win football games. And I think (defensive coordinator) Bob Slowik is still trying to find guys that put them in positions where they can succeed.”

So far, Slowik and the Red and White defence have solidly succeeded heading into the CFL’s Week 3 battle between the host Stampeders (2-0) and the incoming Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday at McMahon Stadium (2 p.m., TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge).

“Probably our back-end on defence,” said Dickenson, when asked what unit’s progress has surprised him the most with this new group so early into the CFL season.

“I mean … I think the secondary requires the most communication,” continued Dickenson. “Damon Webb and Derrick Moncrief I think do help a lot, though, because they’re not rookies. They’re kind of the quarterbacks of the group — you know … one does one side, and one does the other.

“But we’ve had a lot of young guys that have really stepped up and made plays on the ball.”

Case in point, field-side cornerback Adrian Greene, the 26-year-old who picked off two Nick Arbuckle passes, including returning one 40 yards for a second-quarter touchdown, in Saturday’s 29-19 win over the host Toronto Argonauts (0-2).

“His pick-six was really what gave us the victory,” Dickenson said. “Adrian’s done well.

“We did have an open competition in training camp, and he won it … He’s gotten the snaps, and he’s taking great advantage of them. He’s got good ball skills and confidence.”

The performance made Greene a CFL Honour Roll top player for Week 2.

The first-year Stampeders secondary talent also made four tackles and had two knockdowns against the Argonauts to earn the highest individual player grade of the week as calculated by Pro Football Focus.

What’s the strength of the defence?

The defence may not yet have an identity.

But it’s certainly got spirit it didn’t have last season.

Ask linebacker Micah Teitz, a former Calgary Dinos star who feels more energy from the defence compared to when he joined the Stampeders ahead of the 2024 campaign.

“It’s definitely different than last year,” said the 29-year-old Teitz, who’s contributing to weak-side duties in the linebacking corps.

“I think it’s real tough to continue to be confident after we lost X amount of games in a row last year,” continued Teitz. “Now it’s just like even though we made some mistakes, we’re still building off the success that we’ve been having. We’re looking at the good stuff.

“We’re also looking at the bad stuff. But really, we’re enjoying the plays that we make and having fun together. And I think we are enjoying each other.

“It helps when you’re winning games at the beginning of the year and playing solid defence. It’s just a great atmosphere, with great leaders and veteran players in the room. So it’s been going well.”

Teitz himself factors into the success after five tackles last week for the Stamps.

Only fellow linebacker Jacob Roberts and boundary-side cornerback Tyler Richardson — with six — had more.

“He’s a dog, man,” said Teitz, of Roberts. “He’s one of the best young linebackers I’ve seen in the CFL, and only big things are coming up for him.

“Derrick’s a dog, too,” said Teitz, of Moncrief, the strong-side guy of the linebacking unit. “He’s one of the best players in the CFL. I’ve got tons of respect for him. And we’re just so lucky to have him on our side.”

The only negative — for Teitz & Co. in particular — was losing middle linebacker and leader Marquel Lee (bicep) to injury last Saturday.

It’s a big blow, with the former NFLer’s status up in the air for future games.

“He’s a great player and a great leader, so it’s good to have him in the building,” said Teitz, of Lee. “He might be out for a little bit here, so it’s just next man up, and we lean on him in the film room, so he’s not going anywhere.”

And Teitz intends to help pitch.

“I’ve played in the CFL for longer than the entire room put together,” added Teitz. “So it’s good for me to just share experience and share wisdom. I’m not much of a yeller, but I’m happy to do my part.”

What’s up with injuries?

Indeed, the Stamps won the game last Saturday but didn’t get away unscathed.

All-star receiver Reggie Begelton (fractured leg) left the contest early and was on crutches later. He’s been added to the team’s six-game injury list, with a possible season-ending shelving ahead.

“We won,” said Dickenson, solemly. “But it came at a cost.”

Also added to the six-gamer is fellow Stamps veteran Aaron Crawford (knee), the team’s long-snapper who battled through injury to finish out the victory in Toronto.

His absence means the Red and White have re-signed fellow Canadian long-snapper Jason MacGougan, who should suit up for Saturday’s contest at McMahon.

Then there’s veteran offensive lineman Bryce Bell (shoulder), who is likely to be a game-time decision again after shaking off that status last week to start before coming out of the contest, pushing rookie Chris Fortin into Bell’s centre duties.

“We’re definitely going to be down some guys,” Dickenson said. “We’re going to see how it plays out. We’re still getting information on everybody.

“That does give us opportunity for other guys … and we’re gonna have to adjust. It is next man up. But I think we’ve got some depth right now.”

What’s up with the Redblacks?

The Redblacks have come out of the gate winless in two games.

They dropped the season-opener on the road — 31-26 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-0) — and then lost last Friday at home — 39-18 to the visiting Montreal Alouettes (2-0).

Starting QB Dru Brown’s status for Saturday’s game is up in the air after being limited in practice for the Redblacks due to a hip injury that caused him to miss Week 1.

If Brown can’t go, it looks like QB Dustin Crum, who’s also been taking first-team reps in practice this week, will be under centre for the Redblacks. Matt Shiltz, who was with the Stamps last year, is also in the quarterback mix after starting — and throwing three INTs — in last week’s loss.

“They’re talented,” added Teitz, of the Redblacks. “They’ve got really good receivers and good offensive linemen.”

Short yardage

The Stampeders have added American OL William Barnes and American LB Morice Blackwell Jr. to the practice roster … Barnes was originally signed by the Stampeders in January and attended last month’s training camp, seeing action in both pre-season games. He previously had NFL auditions with the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants and also spent time with the United Football League’s DC Defenders … Blackwell, an NCAA Texas Longhorns product, attended NFL mini-camps with the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers last month.

tsaelhof@postmedia.com

X: @ToddSaelhofPM