The long term contract, it's the dream of many a CFL player, providing with it a little security and a financial benefit to go with it.
Such was the good news for Henry Burris in late June as the Stamps announced that their star quarterback had signed on for another four years in Red and White, a move that met with approval all around from the QB himself, to team management to the fans.
Now if only he could get untracked and make it all come together on the field.
Other CFL stars hoping for a little of the same kind of respect from their teams might be hoping that Burris gets going as well, after all, the concept of a long term contract as a motivational force for success is going to get a second look if the Stamps don't soon return to the winning ways that brought them a Grey Cup last season.
So far this year they've looked anything but of championship stock, dropped passes, fumbles, missed tackles and sloppy play have proved to be uncharacteristic of John Hufnagel's team, the Stamps are in a most unfamiliar place early on, last in the CFL West at 0 and 2 heading into this week's play with Toronto on the schedule for Friday Night Football.
Most alarming for Hufnagel will be the Points against so far, as the defense has surrendered a league leading 82 points over two games, a hard bit of math to conquer if you're seeking a few wins along the way, even in the overly offensive style of play featured in the CFL.
It's clearly too early to be pushing any panic buttons and since they are the Grey Cup Champions one would expect that when the game comes around again in November the Stamps most likely will be expected to be a challenger for a repeat.
But not unless they shake these early season cobwebs out of their heads and get back into a frame of mind that wins are there for the taking. So far the Stamps have played far too tentatively and made too many on field miscues, mental errors that have cost them valuable field and ball possession and allowed their opposition to flourish over two games.
Friday's match up offers up an interesting comparison, the Argos who self destructed at a key point of last week's game against Saskatchewan have had a few days to feel the wrath of their coach and focus on what needs to be done to correct their problems.
They will be rather anxious to show that they are quick studies and that last week was not a trend that will continue.
Likewise, the Stamps are going to be eager to turn around the sloppy start to the year, no one more so than Burris, who one imagines is eager to show management that their faith and long term vision was correct.
Any number of CFL players might be quietly hoping that he's back on his game soon, making their case that a long term deal has benefits for all in the long run.
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Calgary Herald-- Back to Square one
Calgary Herald-- Sluggish start sends veteran to the sidelines
Calgary Sun-- Injuries back to bug Stampeders after ugly loss
Calgary Sun-- Champs pledge turnaround
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