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Old 06-30-2011, 08:11 PM   #1
OzSome
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Default Toronto Argonauts at STAMPEDERS

First game of the season at McMahon Stadium. Jim Barker's Argonauts against the Calgary Stampeders starts at 7:00pm (Friday). The game will be on TSN subject to blackout.

OFFENSE:

The Stamps lost some all star Offensive Linemen due to retirement and free agency signing. The biggest lost in the OLine is Ben Archibald (Most Outstanding Linemen last season). He signed with the rival BC Lions this off season. Stamps will also be missing the gritty centre Rob Lazeo. Last year's rookie of the year candidate Edwin Harrison is injured and will miss at least the first few games. The new guys imports Gerald Cadogan and Tony Washington and non-import J.Michael Deane will try to take someone spot in OLine. Dmitri Tsoumpas will probably miss the opener due to injury.

Henry Burris is still the #1 QB for the Stamps, while Drew Tate will stay as #2 unfortunately he will miss the first few games due to dislocated shoulder. Canadian rookie Brad Sinopli and Michael Bishop will be Burris backup this season.

The Stamps strengths are the Running Back and the Receiving positions. RB Joffrey Reynolds and Jon Cornish will probably split duties in RB again just like last season. Rob Cote, Tim St. Pierre and Cokers are the other RB. Receivers Ken-Yon Rambo, Romby Bryant, Nik Lewis, Larry Taylor along with Canadian talents in Arjei Franklin, Jabari Arthur, Johnny Forzani and rookie Anthony Parker will give the opposing DB headache this season.

DEFENSE:

DLine lost a few players in Tom Johnson, Mike Labinjo and Miguel Robede but they still have some veterans in this group. One of my favorite Charleston Hughes and Robert McCune are still playing for the Stamps along with some talented non-import DLine. DL Adrian Davis who the Stamps acquired from the Argos in a trade is the only survivor on the 2 for 2 trade (PK Sam and Robede relased by Argos while Stamps released Reggie McNeal). Davis looks good in pre-season game against the Eskies.

Linebacking is the probably the Stamps biggest strength on Defense. Juwan Simpsons, Malik Jackson and others are still playing for the Stamps.

DB position is probably the question mark this season because of the departure of 2 CBs Brandon Browner and Dwight Anderson. Brandon Smith and rookie Demetrice Morley played well in the exhibition games.
Who will replace Browner and the mouth Anderson?

SPECIAL TEAM:

The return game is probably the most improve position in special team. Larry Taylor and explosive returner is now the return guy for the Stamps replacing Deon Murphy who started off well last season but his performance dropped down after his injuries in the middle of the season. The Stamps released Murphy this off season.
Special Team defense got better with the addition of Tim. St. Pierre. Last season the Stamps got burned in the punt return a few times and hopefully that won't be the case this season.

Kicker Rob Maver was brutal kicking on field goal over 40 yards. Against the BC Lions in first pre-season doesn't look like he is improving missing a couple of field goal tries. Maybe he was hurting at that game. Punter Burke Dales will handle the punting duties again this season.

According to some media outlets, the Stamps will be the favorite to win the Grey Cup this season. I also think they will if they stay healthy all season. We have some fast and good receiving crew this season and I can see Henry Burris taking advantage of those guys. Joffrey Reynolds gets better every season while Jon Cornish is starting to get comfortable in running back position. Hopefully the OLine gel together right away.

GO STAMPS GO!!!
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