GAME 1: Grey Cup Rematch - Hamilton at CALGARY

[OzSome]

Game on Friday, June 26 at 7pm at McMahon Stadium. It is going to be televised on TSN and ESPN3(in the US).

CFL is back this week and the first game starts on Thursday night. Stampeders on the other hand will be playing their season opener at home against the team they beat in 2014 Grey Cup game Hamilton Tigercats.

OFFENSE:

Not a lot of changes in offense except the Offensive Line position and receiving position. Gone are last year's CFL Most Outstanding Linemen C Brett Jones(signed with NFL New York Giants), International All-Star OL Stanley Bryant(signed with Winnipeg). Stamps also lost a veteran presence in receiving with Nik Lewis moving on to sign with Montreal, Maurice Price traded to Ottawa, Brad Sinopli signing with Ottawa, Chris Bauman and Jabari Arthur getting released. Quarterbacking and Running Back positions are pretty much the same as last season.
Newcomers on offense is the steal of the 2015 Draft National Receiver Lemar Durant, who had an excellent training camp. Another receiver who had a fantastic training camp is Greg Wilson who caught some passes from QB Peyton Manning in Denver last season. Wilson is probably not going to play in the first game but you never know.

DEFENSE:

Some new faces are going to be on defensive side. Head Coach Hufnagel and the rest of the defensive coaches claimed these might be the toughest competition they ever seen in training camp for a long time. Gone are DE Shawn Lemon signing a contract in the NFL, Veteran DT Demonte Bolden released after the training camp. Even a veteran DT Eric Taylor formerly of BC Lions did not survive the cut. DB/LB Lin-J Shell who played well last season was one of the final cuts in the training camp this season. Shel has since signed with Winnipeg(practice roster).
Newcomers this season are DT Derek Wiggan(2014 draft pick), DE Brandon Boudreaux who had a strong training camp but might not be dressed for the game as he was put on a 1-game injury list. LB Jesper Simmons, Ottawa's top defensive player of last season. Simmons was picked up on a trade along with receiver Dan Buckner(released) for R Maurice Price. DB Joe Burnett, who played for Edmonton Eskimos last season is one of the new DB in the team.

SPECIAL TEAM:

Special Team is pretty much the same from last season as far as returner, kicking, punting and long snapper. The changes are pretty much on the coverage and blocking team. Their #1 returner last season Jock Sanders is no longer in the team. In this game our #1 returner is Sederik Cunningham unless Tim Brown is activated from practice roster. I was very impressed with the way the coverage team especially played during the two pre-season game. Blocking team actually played well as well.

OPPONENT:

Hamilton Tigercats is mired with tons of injuries in the training camp. R Luke Tasker, RB CJ Gable and HB Rico Murray are on a one-game injury list, DE Eric Norwood is on a 6-game injury list and being replaced by DE Sam Scott, who was one of the final cut in their training camp. DT Brian Bulcke, DT Lyndon Gaydosh and R Spencer Watt are out for the season. Hamilton coach Kent Austin still think they are going to be a tough team to beat this season though.

************************************************** ***
I cannot wait to see the first game. I am very excited to see some of the young guys perform in the regular season.

GO STAMPS GO!!!

[jayswin]

Like it's on today?

[mile]

It's on Friday.

[jayswin]

Haha thanks, I figured I'd have seen it in the paper if it was today. There was just nothing in the OP or thread title saying Friday, but it did have the time announced. Usually when there's a time and channel but no day in a thread it means it's today.

Looking forward to this season.

[The Familia]

Can't believe I have to miss the season opener....should be a good game! Pumped for the season!

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Like it's on today?

my bad.. i forgot to write down Friday, June 26

[OzSome]

It is game day. I am hearing RB/Returner Tim Brown will play his first game as a Stampeder tonight in place of Sederrik Cunningham. Hufnagel is saying they need a backup RB tonight and since Matt Walter was a little banged up and did not play last game he wants another backup RB to give Jon Cornish some rest from time to time tonight.

[Sainters7]

Fuller is such a beast. Really hoping he can stay healthy

EDIT: And then that. Bad decision by Bo

[transplant99]

Hamilton has zero points on offense and lead 14-7....Stamps just shooting themselves in the foot.

[OzSome]

Freaking Speedy Banks strikes again. This time there is no penalty.

[OzSome]

Pretty strange game so far. Stamps just got 2 points on special team after the Hamilton centre overthrew the ball on punter Justin Medlock.

[DropIt]

"Remember folks, you can get called for a horse collar tackle, even if you dont actually horse collar tackle a player."

The CFL is suck a joke of a "professional" sports league

[OzSome]

Come on!! You call that a late hit??

[transplant99]

Bo looks no good at all....after a great start. Weird game.

[OzSome]

Need to forget this first half. Way too many mistakes. OLine and receivers can't block, way too many penalties and letting off Hamilton way too much. Only positive thing in the first half is the play of Charleston Hughes and Juwan Simpson.

Hamilton 18-10. Hamilton Defensive TD and Special Team TD.

Huff will make this team adjust in the 2nd half.

[mile]

Yikes.

[nixon45]

Oh Bo

[OzSome]

Bo is not in his A-game today. Threw another pick in the end zone.

[OzSome]

Oh yeah Keon Raymond!! TD on the interception.

[nixon45]

That was beautiful