2011 Grey Cup Predictions – Team Preview – Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders have been one of the better teams in the CFL over the past couple of seasons but they still have a lot of work to do as demonstrated by their second straight early departure from the playoffs.
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2011 Stampeders CFL Team Preview/Predictions
2010 record: 13-5
Home/Away: 7-2, 6-3
Calgary finished the 2010 season with the best record in the CFL, the best offense and the best defense but was once again unable to put it all together in the playoffs. With largely the same core that has suffered humbling losses in the playoffs the last couple of seasons; the Stamps are ready to make another run.
Offensively, the Stamps are coming off a season in which they scored an impressive 626 points (34 per game) in 2010 – they will be fine as per usual. Most Outstanding Player Henry Burris (4,945 yards, 38 td) will be back once again to lead what is quite an impressive nucleus. Joffrey Reynolds (1,200 yards, 8 td) and Jon Cornish offer a superb running back duo while a healthy Ken-Yon Rambo, Arjei Franklin and Nik Lewis provide Burris with one of the most dangerous receiving trios in the CFL.
The loss of arguably the best offensive lineman in the league Ben Archibald will hurt the offense a bit but a good draft and some intriguing roster moves has the Stamps looking just fine again. Former CFL quarterback and new Calgary Offensive Coordinator Dave Dickenson should have this team playing at a high level.
The Calgary defense was also very strong last season but with the departure of their two cornerbacks could result in the team taking a small step backward on “D” this season. Dwight Anderson is off to Montreal and Brandon Browner is giving the NFL a shot. The cornerbacks are absolutely critical in the pass happy CFL making for an enormous hole to fill for John Hufnagel and company. [ad-4437448]
Still, there are 10 returning Defensive starters on a team that led the CFL in scoring defense last season.
Calgary’s Special Teams won’t be a problem this season at all either. They have talent in their return game, and good kickers – which are essential in three down ball.
Calgary has been on quite a Regular Season ride in the last couple of seasons but they would trade it all for some postseason success. Part of Calgary’s success has been derived from the fact that the West has been uncharacteristically weak in the last two seasons. With better competition a certainty, expect Calgary to slide a little bit.
The key losses on the defensive side of the ball will also have implications.
Stampeders 2011 Future Odds
Odds to Win the Grey Cup: +250
Odds to Win the Western Conference: +150
Calgary is one of the more balance teams in the CFL and they also boast a coaching staff that is the envy of all other teams. That said there is still one team that is better in the Western Conference – the same one that has eliminated them in the Western Conference Playoffs each of the last two seasons.
Stampeders 2011 Predictions
Expect the Stamps to remain ultra-competitive but to ultimately finish 2nd in the West with a 12-6 record.
