3 days ago
Defensive backs at Calgary Stampeders camp: Secondary a 'work in progress'
Article content
Dave Dickenson calls his secondary 'a work in progress.'
Article content
Article content
Whether that morphs into a football masterpiece on the back-end of the Calgary Stampeders defence has yet to be determined.
Article content
But the boss has brought a new crew of defensive backs, including a few artists, to help transform what was a sub-par unit last year into what he hopes is a better bunch in the 2025 Canadian Football League campaign — and beyond.
Article content
Article content
'I think it's going to be a work in progress, meaning I don't know who the starters are,' admitted Dickenson of piecing together his secondary during Stamps camp, which has now come to a close with the season-opener slated for Saturday against the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats at McMahon Stadium (5 p.m., TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge).
Article content
'But let's just say our free agents haven't disappointed at all,' continued Dickenson. 'And so I really think they've been fit in seamlessly as hard workers, character guys, leadership guys …'
Article content
At the heart of that statement are a couple of prized off-season acquisitions in Damon Webb and Derrick Moncrief, both decorated CFL veterans.
Article content
Webb is a 2024 CFL all-star defensive back, while Moncrief was a league all-star at the same position in 2019.
Article content
With the Stamps, both are projected leaders for the season ahead with different duties at hand from when they earned those all-star accolades — with Webb now at safety, and Moncrief sneaking up to play strong-side linebacker.
Article content
