22-05-2025
Special teamers in Calgary Stampeders camp: Battles at hand at punter, returner
Article content
'Erik, I think, honestly was one of the most solid returners in the CFL, and then, unfortunately, he broke his arm,' Dickenson said. 'He's very reliable catching the ball. He makes good decisions. He's got some juice. I think if he would've played all year, he would've popped a couple of returns for touchdowns.
Article content
'And he's also one of our smartest receivers.'
Article content
Article content
Indeed, Brooks played in just a half-dozen games before getting sidelined, returning 17 punts for 166 yards — a 9.8-yard average — and 13 kickoffs for 287 yards — a 22.1-yard average.
Article content
But the diminutive, dynamic talent is back — with confidence — to pick up where he left off.
Article content
'I mean … it was difficult,' said Brooks of the injury and missing the final two-thirds of the schedule. 'But they let me know early that they like the work that I have put on my resume throughout those six regular-season games. So it gave me a sense of relief knowing that they still have faith in me to come back healthy and build on what I did last year.
Article content
Article content
And then there are a few guys from last year — receivers Cam Echols and Ishmael Hyman — who have proven themselves in the return game.
Article content
'The guys are playing hard and looking fast and doing the right things, as well,' Dickenson said. 'So that's why we know we have good competition.'
Article content
It's up to Brooks to fend them all off.
Article content
His experience with the Stamps — albeit limited — should help him in that regard.
Article content
As should his knowledge of the offence, whether he's catching or even running the ball.
Article content
After all, the California kid's done it all in his football career, growing up as a running back but then moving to receiver and blossoming as a returner.
Article content
'I just feel like the more you can do, the better … you know,' Brooks said. 'You just make yourself versatile by just learning multiple positions — not just limiting yourself to one but just trying to learn the whole concept.
Article content
'But I feel like when you make yourself versatile, you have a better shot at whatever you're trying to do. So growing up, I was just trying to be able to know all the positions in the offence by getting the ball in my hands and just trying to make plays however I can.'
Article content
He hopes that happens with the Stamps often in his second season.
Article content
'Success will be getting through healthy — that's first and foremost,' added Brooks. 'But I want to get some more touchdowns — I know I had one last year receiving. I want to get some special-teams touchdowns, as well. I was close to breaking a few. So I want to get at least five punt returns, a field-goal return in there and at least two to three kickoffs.
