Calgary, AB (Best E Casino) - FACTS & FIGURES: Division - West. 2007 record - 7-10-1. Playoff result: Third in West Division, lost 26-24 to Saskatchewan in division semifinal. Stadium - McMahon Stadium. Capacity - 35,650. Colors - Red, white and black.
What's old is new again with the Calgary Stampeders.
The Stampeders will have a familiar face on the sidelines this season, as former player and assistant coach John Hufnagel returns to Calgary as the club's head coach and general manager. He replaces Tom Higgins, who was fired after the club's dismal 7-10-1 record last year and first-round elimination from the West Division playoffs.
Hufnagel takes over a team full of offensive firepower.
Quarterback Henry Burris was the CFL's second-ranked passer last year with 4,279 yards and anchored the league's most potent aerial attack. He also ran for more than 600 yards, making Burris a double threat. The acquisition of veteran Dave Dickenson, who was released by B.C., further strengthens the Stampeders in what is already a position of strength.
Running back Joffrey Reynolds finished third in the CFL rushing with 1,231 yards, while veteran Jeremaine Copeland was the team's top receiver with 1,110 yards. Nik Lewis finished with 1,101 yards and newly re-signed Ken-Yon Rambo had 983 yards.
Not surprisingly, the Stampeders led the CFL in passing yards, rushing yards and total yards per game. And with Hufnagel aboard, the offense should only become stronger.
Where the Stampeders had trouble last year was on defense, where Calgary was last or near the bottom of most of the league's defensive categories.
One of Calgary's biggest offseason moves was luring defensive coordinator Chris Jones away from Montreal. Jones did a masterful job with an Als defense that was always near the top of the rankings playing a team concept.
Shoring up the defense was a big offseason priority for Calgary, which dipped into free agency to sign linebacker JoJuan Armour and defensive backs Richard Karikari and Dwight Anderson. However, the team did raise eyebrows by releasing veteran linebackers Bryan Clark and Scott Coe, both proven CFL performers.
There's nothing wrong with the Stampeders special teams. Kicker Sandro DeAngelis remains one of the CFL's most reliable, while Burke Dales was third overall in CFL punting with a 44.7-yard average.
There's no doubt Calgary will be able to score, the question remains whether Jones can work his magic with the team's defense. Also, the Stampeders were very active in the offseason and it will be imperative for all of the new faces to come together and work as one for this club to fare well this season.
Best E Casino Predicted Finish: Second.
