The once surging Stamps are suddenly contemplating a surge less future and some observers don’t like what they see the future bringing.
The shoulder injury Friday In Hamilton to Henry Burris, a cruel twist of fate in a remarkable season, now has talk of a Stampeder march to the Grey Cup drying up and instead just surviving until the playoffs seems to be the new mantra.
The Stamps were built around their star quarterback and now with his season in danger, Akili Smith has been tossed the ball for perhaps the rest of the season, a move that is showing that confidence is something that they could use a bit more of in Calgary these days.
Even the coaching staff, which has to try to put on the best face possible this weekend, while facing the prospect of life without Henry, has had a hard time in whole heartedly endorsing Smith as the one to take them to the playoffs. In a Calgary Sun article by Eric Francis, head coach Tom Higgins laid it out pretty honestly when it came to what he thinks may happen with Smith forced into the starter’s role, “I don't know if he'll ever be ready. There's not a game goes by we're not explaining another Canadian league rule to Akili.”
Smith himself, had precious few moments of sleep on Saturday as he contemplated life in the fishbowl of starting quarterback for the Calgary Stampeders. Having received limited actual game reps during the season, the hopes of the Stamps and their fans now rest on him, limited experience or not the Stamps will be his team most likely through the rest of this season.
While two weeks ago they were talking loud about a run for first in the West, the loss of Burris according to more than a few could see them free fall from playoff contenders to the roadmap for someone else to qualify for a Grey Cup berth.
Smith, the one time Cincinnati Bengal who was hoping to rejuvenate his career in Canada, now has his break, in the most unwanted method possible. His team mates, coaches and Stampeder fans are hoping he has picked up enough through thirteen weeks to carry them for the final five and beyond.
Though judging by the black clouds forming over the Bow, they’re hopes are particularly loud or confident these days.
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