Stampede Bowl: Calgary Stampeders set to kick in annual CFL home game in early July
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'Everyone knows the last five years, the Bombers have been the best or the second-best team in the league,' Adams said. 'Obviously with the five-straight Grey Cup (appearances), their system is second to none. They do a lot of great things over there.
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'For us as an offence, we need to take care of the ball — starting with me — let the playmakers do what they do and give our defence a rest — go on some long drives.
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'But it's a smart defence over there. They know what they're doing, and they do it well.'
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The Stamps intend to do the same to kick in this Stampede Bowl thing with a winning ride.
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'We're such a new team, the expectations for us are to make sure we show up and do our part,' added Dickenson. 'It's fun no matter what, especially when you play Winnipeg. But it's more fun when the stands are pumping and the people are excited. And that's why it's our job to go out and play well.
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'We're in the winning business, but we're also in the entertainment business. And I know our guys want to go out and put on a show.'
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But the three-time CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player won't line up against his former team Thursday night.
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He's still recovering from an ACL injury suffered last season.
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'We had a plan,' Dickenson said. 'We signed him last week, and we felt like it was going to be a week or two (before he gets into games). And we're not going to rush him.
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'But … yeah … you can definitely tell he's all-in and he's excited to be here, but he also understands that we've got to be smart and not maybe put his knee at risk.'
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After all, the 36-year-old's leadership is what the Stamps are needing, with charismatic middle linebacker Marquel Lee out indefinitely — perhaps season-long — with a bicep injury.
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'Adam's a long-term plan for us,' Dickenson said. 'We need him for as many games as possible, but also we really need him for games after Labour Day, so we're going to definitely be smart about it.'
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Bighill ranks sixth in CFL history with 939 defensive tackles and has also has 39 tackles for loss, 71 special-teams stops, 50 sacks, 15 interceptions including one pick-six, 11 fumble recoveries including three returned for touchdowns, 14 forced fumbles and 25 knockdowns.
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'This place has a lot of tradition, and it's known as a place to play football the right way,' said Bighill, of coming to Calgary. 'They play tough football here, the team's been well-coached, and it's an organization that you have a chance to win.
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'They play football the right way here.'
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A veteran of 191 regular-season games, 19 post-season contests in 12 CFL campaigns and three Grey Cup victories, Bighill is an eight-time West Division all-star and a six-time league all-star during his run with the BC Lions and then the Bombers.
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'I tear my ACL last year, and it's not the way you want to go out and feel about your career,' said Bighill, when asked if he considered retirement over the off-season. 'And I've always had a bit of an underdog mentality to myself — you know … that chip on my shoulder.
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"Accused people who are found guilty and then appeal, they have slightly broader rights of appeal. They can appeal questions of fact, so they can appeal that there's been a misapprehension of a fact, as well as all of the legal errors, or errors in a legal analysis." The statistics, generally speaking, are not good for individuals who appeal, said Furgiuele If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. For support in your area, you can look for crisis lines and local services via the Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada database.
