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The Calgary Stampeders want to focus on the future, but they still can’t escape the past.
The Stampeders have perennially been one of the best teams in the CFL but have a history of not winning the last game. As head coach Dave Dickenson and his staff prepare for a new season they carry the weight of back-to-back Grey Cup losses, especially the pain and heartbreak of last year’s defeat at the hands of the Toronto Argonauts.
“There is scarring that we have to work though,” Dickenson said. “There are some things ultimately that still are bothering me.”
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Head coach Dave Dickenson isn’t dwelling on the past and instead, looking forward to the 2018 season (Alex D’Addese/CFL.ca)
Calgary was heavily favoured to win the 2016 Grey Cup against the Ottawa REDBLACKS and again last year against Toronto. The argument can be made the Stampeders were beaten 39-33 in overtime by Ottawa. Against Toronto, the Stampeders lost 27-24 because of their own mistakes and bad decisions.
Dickenson doesn’t expect anyone on his team to forget about what cost the Stampeders a championship. But instead of dwelling too much on what’s already done, he’d rather his players concentrate on getting back to this year’s final in Edmonton.
“The thing I want to make sure our team knows is you can’t correct the past,” said Dickenson, who is starting his third season as Calgary’s head coach. “You have to start in training camp and get to work.
“We have a new team, probably more change than ever. I like our team, I like our chances of having a successful year. Then ultimately, if we can get back into the big game, take another shot at it. We are working hard to just be better. We’re not focusing on anything more than that.”
Last year in the snow in Ottawa the Stampeders looked ready to exorcise some past demons.
With just over five minutes remaining Calgary was leading by eight points. Then slotback Kamar Jorden fumbled on the 10-yard line. Cassius Vaughn scooped up the loose ball and ran 110 yards for a touchdown. A two-point convert tied the game.
Plenty of time remained but the Stampeders reacted like a boxer dazed by a surprise punch. A field goal gave Toronto a 27-24 lead, then a late Argo interception on a questionable throw sealed the upset.
Jorden stood up in a devastated Stampeder dressing room after the game and took ownership for his mistake but that didn’t seem good enough for veteran receiver Marquay McDaniel.
Sitting only a few feet away McDaniel openly criticized his teammate. He called the fumble “a stupid play” and said “stupid football lost this game.”
McDaniel was released in February. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell denies any healing is needed in the Stampeder dressing room.
“I don’t think so,” said Mitchell. “I can only speak for myself, knowing our locker room is a very tight-knit locker room. I have spoken to plenty of guys over the off-season, just making sure we always stick together no matter what, no matter what the situation is on the field.
“You never want anyone criticizing anybody else because we can all do better. Everybody took responsibility for what they needed in the situation. It helps us grow. It’s a learning experience for every one of us.”
Some athletes never shake the stigma of one play.
Bill Buckner played 22 Major League Baseball seasons and won a batting title but is best remembered for his fielding error in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. Snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis had a gold medal won at the 2006 Winter Olympics but fell when attempting a showoff jump and had to settle for silver.
Dickenson doesn’t expect Jorden to follow down that path.
“We talked at the end of the year,” said Dickenson. “No one play can ever define anyone or a team or a game. It was a big play and we have to own up to that.
After losing two Grey Cups in a row, Bo Levi Mitchell hopes this is the year they can pull it off (The Canadian Press)
“Kamar knows. He did a nice job of owning it. It happened, not that he can’t learn from it. Let’s move forward.”
Jorden had 52 catches for 717 yards and six touchdowns last year. Injuries limited him to 10 games.
“We think he could have a real big year,” said Dickenson. “When he’s healthy he’s right up there with the top guys. He’s a guy I’m excited to have back.”
The Stampeders have been one of the league’s most dominate teams for over a decade. Dating back to 2005, Calgary has finished first or second in the West 11 times.
In the last five years Calgary has had more wins than any other team in the league four times and were tied with Edmonton in the fifth.
Since 2008 the Stampeders have had two coaches, John Hufnagel and Dickenson.
“We’ve been very fortunate that we’ve had a lot of continuity within the coaching staff and the roster,” said Hufnagel, who is now Calgary’s president and general manager. “Sure, we’ve had our changes but it’s nothing we couldn’t cope with.
“We’ve been able to hire good people. When they decided to leave we’ve been able to hire more good people. A lot of those new coaches have been through the system.”
While the Stampeders have enjoyed regular season success they’ve suffered playoff disappointment.
Since 2005 the Stampeders have appeared in five Grey Cup games. They won two, the last in 2014.
For a second year Calgary experienced a long, cold winter. Dickenson is excited about the spring thaw.
“I can’t wait to get the season started,” he said. “I’m not sure I’ve ever looked forward to a season starting as much as this year.”
