Latest news with #MarquelLee
National Post
5 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Linebackers in Calgary Stampeders camp: 'Standard' starts with veteran Marquel Lee
It's not just the personnel that's different these days among linebackers of the Calgary Stampeders. Article content Article content And … wow … there's lots of it with this bunch. Article content Take it from Marquel Lee, who's been a pro football talent for enough years to know the enthusiasm is running higher than it was with the 2024 edition on the Canadian Football League team. Article content 'The energy is way different around this team this year,' said Lee, who spent six years on NFL rosters and another spring with the United Football League's Arlington Renegades before signing with the Stampeders in September. Article content 'Our vibe is we want to play for each other,' continued Lee, who fits the bill as the Stamps' middle linebacker for the 2025 CFL campaign. 'We want to play for our defensive coaches. Want to play for defensive coordinator Bob Slowik, and we want to play complementary football for the teammates on special teams and offence. Article content 'We want to bring a toughness, grit …' added Lee. 'We want to be some bad mofos at the end of the day. We want to be a part of the bad mofo club. So anybody that steps on our turf in our home and any turf that we step on, we want to show those guys that we can't be messed with.' Article content The players Article content 10 Nicky Farinaccio 6'1, 205 lb. 25 Montréal 18 Deshawn Pace* 6'2, 220 lb. 23 Central Florida 42 Micah Teitz* 6'0, 229 lb. 29 Calgary 48 Jacob Roberts* 6'1, 233 lb. 23 Wake Forest 50 Marquel Lee* 6'3, 234 lb. 29 Wake Forest 51 Kelechi Anyalebechi* 6'0, 240 lb. 24 Incarnate Word 53 Trey Kiser* 6'0, 224 lb. 24 South Alabama 56 Gary Johnson Jr.* 6'0, 230 lb. 28 Texas * — denotes American Article content Article content Article content The linebacker corps is definitely a revamped unit with the Stamps having parted ways with a handful of veteran CFLers, including former league all-stars Micah Awe and Cam Judge. Article content Judge, of course, was traded to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for high-profile rush-end Folarin Orimolade, in one of the many key transactions made by the Red and White in the off-season. Article content The Stamps also brought in Fraser Sopik for a second tour of duty after making him a fourth-round selection in the 2019 CFL Draft. But he abruptly retired ahead of training camp because of an off-season injury to throw a wrench in the team's plan at linebacker. Sopik was to be a key member of the corps.
Calgary Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Linebackers in Calgary Stampeders camp: 'Standard' starts with veteran Marquel Lee
Article content Article content And … wow … there's lots of it with this bunch. Article content Take it from Marquel Lee, who's been a pro football talent for enough years to know the enthusiasm is running higher than it was with the 2024 edition on the Canadian Football League team. Article content 'The energy is way different around this team this year,' said Lee, who spent six years on NFL rosters and another spring with the United Football League's Arlington Renegades before signing with the Stampeders in September. Article content Article content 'Our vibe is we want to play for each other,' continued Lee, who fits the bill as the Stamps' middle linebacker for the 2025 CFL campaign. 'We want to play for our defensive coaches. Want to play for defensive coordinator Bob Slowik, and we want to play complementary football for the teammates on special teams and offence. Article content Article content 'We want to bring a toughness, grit …' added Lee. 'We want to be some bad mofos at the end of the day. We want to be a part of the bad mofo club. So anybody that steps on our turf in our home and any turf that we step on, we want to show those guys that we can't be messed with.' Article content Article content 10 Nicky Farinaccio 6'1, 205 lb. 25 Montréal 18 Deshawn Pace* 6'2, 220 lb. 23 Central Florida 42 Micah Teitz* 6'0, 229 lb. 29 Calgary 48 Jacob Roberts* 6'1, 233 lb. 23 Wake Forest 50 Marquel Lee* 6'3, 234 lb. 29 Wake Forest 51 Kelechi Anyalebechi* 6'0, 240 lb. 24 Incarnate Word 53 Trey Kiser* 6'0, 224 lb. 24 South Alabama 56 Gary Johnson Jr.* 6'0, 230 lb. 28 Texas * — denotes American Article content Article content Longtime defensive back Brendan Dozier, who bumped up to play outside linebacker in his years with the Stamps, Darius Williams and Adam Konar have also moved on. Article content Judge, of course, was traded to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for high-profile rush-end Folarin Orimolade, in one of the many key transactions made by the Red and White in the off-season.
Ottawa Citizen
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Coach expects Calgary Stampeders to 'be sharp' in 2025 home debut
Article content The Calgary Stampeders take the field for one final audition Saturday looking to put more than just a performance they can proud of together. Article content They also want results. Article content Where pre-season is forever about evaluating what you've got and never really about what the scoreboard says at the end of each game, the bottom line for this Canadian Football League contest certainly has some meaning for a club desperately trying to find and maintain an upward trend. Article content Article content 'We take it very seriously — take it very seriously,' confirmed Stampeders middle linebacker Marquel Lee, ahead of Saturday's pre-season finale against the Edmonton Elks at McMahon Stadium (7:30 p.m., CHQR 107.3 FM/770 AM). Article content Article content 'It's a game at the end of the day,' continued Lee. 'But we don't get many opportunities to come out and do our craft. So anytime we can come out and dominate and show our stuff and put together a win, we want to do that. Article content 'And we want to get better. This is only our third or fourth week being together, so we've still got to build on the things that we need to build on going into the season and we want to use this as opportunity for a dress rehearsal and get those things together. Article content 'But we also do want to win.' Article content Article content With that, the Stampeders set up to go out and win Saturday with at least half of their expected season-starters in for the early part of exhibition contest. Article content Article content Very few got the opportunity to play in last Monday's pre-season victory — 26-16 — over the host BC Lions on Vancouver Island. Article content But there are some not quite ready for prime-time with injuries holding them back until the start of the regular schedule. Article content 'I've probably got seven or eight, maybe even 10 guys that won't play that could be starters,' said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson, of his roster against the incoming Elks. 'But … yeah … definitely, if you can play and you're healthy, we want to give you that opportunity to go compete. Article content 'Timing-wise for a lot of them, it will be their first pre-season game, because I left a good chunk of guys home last week,' continued Dickenson. 'I'm not expecting perfection but expecting them to play fast and physical and be sharp. Just play with your eyes — don't try to do too much, meaning take what the defence gives you.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coach expects Calgary Stampeders to 'be sharp' in 2025 home debut
The Calgary Stampeders take the field for one final audition Saturday looking to put more than just a performance they can proud of together. They also want results. Where pre-season is forever about evaluating what you've got and never really about what the scoreboard says at the end of each game, the bottom line for this Canadian Football League contest certainly has some meaning for a club desperately trying to find and maintain an upward trend. 'We take it very seriously — take it very seriously,' confirmed Stampeders middle linebacker Marquel Lee, ahead of Saturday's pre-season finale against the Edmonton Elks at McMahon Stadium (7:30 p.m., CHQR 107.3 FM/770 AM). 'It's a game at the end of the day,' continued Lee. 'But we don't get many opportunities to come out and do our craft. So anytime we can come out and dominate and show our stuff and put together a win, we want to do that. 'And we want to get better. This is only our third or fourth week being together, so we've still got to build on the things that we need to build on going into the season and we want to use this as opportunity for a dress rehearsal and get those things together. 'But we also do want to win.' Special teamers in Calgary Stampeders camp: Battles at hand at punter, returner Offensive linemen in Calgary Stampeders camp: Battle on to fill big centre void With that, the Stampeders set up to go out and win Saturday with at least half of their expected season-starters in for the early part of exhibition contest. Very few got the opportunity to play in last Monday's pre-season victory — 26-16 — over the host BC Lions on Vancouver Island. But there are some not quite ready for prime-time with injuries holding them back until the start of the regular schedule. 'I've probably got seven or eight, maybe even 10 guys that won't play that could be starters,' said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson, of his roster against the incoming Elks. 'But … yeah … definitely, if you can play and you're healthy, we want to give you that opportunity to go compete. 'Timing-wise for a lot of them, it will be their first pre-season game, because I left a good chunk of guys home last week,' continued Dickenson. 'I'm not expecting perfection but expecting them to play fast and physical and be sharp. Just play with your eyes — don't try to do too much, meaning take what the defence gives you. 'As a group, you've still got to run the ball and use your feet as a quarterback to extend plays. So those are the things we're looking for.' Of course, there's a couple of positions where the starting man remains unsettled for the Red and White. That brings on battles — especially at running back, along the offensive and defensive lines, at linebacker, in the secondary, with the punters and in the return game. 'You don't know how many reps you're going to get,' Dickenson said. 'Take advantage the opportunities. Play aggressive — don't play not to make a mistake. And put your best foot forward. 'The thing I've always thought about is if you take care of your business and it doesn't work out for you, you feel a little better about yourself. What you don't want, as a player is, 'I'm not prepared. I'm not playing the way I should play,' and that's when you have regrets. 'Just take care of your business, be ready when your number's called and give it everything you've got.' Every CFL team must be down to their playing roster by May 31. That is comprised of 45 active players, 10 practice-roster types practice roster types and those shifted to injured reserve. For the Stamps, that includes a decision likely to be made at quarterback behind starter Vernon Adams Jr., although it'll be the franchise's prized acquisition which gets the call to arms under centre for 'about a half,' said Dickenson. 'I just want positive plays (Saturday),' said Adams, who's looked strong in training camp for the Stampeders even though he admits to not being 100% comfortable with the new offence just yet. 'You know … no turnovers and let's score some touchdowns. So we get out there and do what we plan to do and let the other guys get in and do what they need to do. 'You're trying not to peak too early but just excited for the opportunity for the guys, the team and this organization to get out here and put on a good show for the fans,' continued the top-shelf QB. 'And that's what we plan to do.' Yes … given this is the season debut at McMahon, there's that will — after the many personnel changes and mission statements during the off-season — to give the home-town crowd a team to get behind. That fact may be as important as anything happening Saturday for the Stampeders. 'I think it's about coming out and being in our home stadium and showing the Stampeders fanbase our brand of football — what we want to bring to the season,' added Lee. 'Play-in and play-out, we want to show how we want to operate and our physicality and our togetherness. 'And we want to just show the crowd that there's a new sheriff in town.' tsaelhof@
Calgary Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Coach expects Calgary Stampeders to 'be sharp' in 2025 home debut
The Calgary Stampeders take the field for one final audition Saturday looking to put more than just a performance they can proud of together. Article content They also want results. Article content Where pre-season is forever about evaluating what you've got and never really about what the scoreboard says at the end of each game, the bottom line for this Canadian Football League contest certainly has some meaning for a club desperately trying to find and maintain an upward trend. Article content Article content 'We take it very seriously — take it very seriously,' confirmed Stampeders middle linebacker Marquel Lee, ahead of Saturday's pre-season finale against the Edmonton Elks at McMahon Stadium (7:30 p.m., CHQR 107.3 FM/770 AM). Article content Article content 'It's a game at the end of the day,' continued Lee. 'But we don't get many opportunities to come out and do our craft. So anytime we can come out and dominate and show our stuff and put together a win, we want to do that. Article content 'And we want to get better. This is only our third or fourth week being together, so we've still got to build on the things that we need to build on going into the season and we want to use this as opportunity for a dress rehearsal and get those things together. Article content 'But we also do want to win.' Article content Article content With that, the Stampeders set up to go out and win Saturday with at least half of their expected season-starters in for the early part of exhibition contest. Article content Article content Very few got the opportunity to play in last Monday's pre-season victory — 26-16 — over the host BC Lions on Vancouver Island. Article content But there are some not quite ready for prime-time with injuries holding them back until the start of the regular schedule. Article content 'I've probably got seven or eight, maybe even 10 guys that won't play that could be starters,' said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson, of his roster against the incoming Elks. 'But … yeah … definitely, if you can play and you're healthy, we want to give you that opportunity to go compete. Article content 'Timing-wise for a lot of them, it will be their first pre-season game, because I left a good chunk of guys home last week,' continued Dickenson. 'I'm not expecting perfection but expecting them to play fast and physical and be sharp. Just play with your eyes — don't try to do too much, meaning take what the defence gives you.
