Calgary Stampeders News Archives

Welcome to Riderville, pop. 2,200 . We're in the basement of the Telus Convention Centre and the place is a zoo -- and not just because of the large gopher that is roaming around.

Former Calgary Stampeders running back Wes Cates scored his old locker stall. Ditto for defensive back Eddie Davis.

Receiver Chris Getzlaf of the Saskatchewan Roughriders is on the receiving end of a cowboy hat from a volunteer at Calgary International Airport after arriving for the start of Grey Cup week on Monday.

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant catches the football during the team's CFL Grey Cup practice in Calgary on Saturday, Nov.

" There's no such thing as football gods, Kerry Watkins insists. They don't exist and he doesn't believe in them.

Jamel Richardson missed the majority of training camp in June with pneumonia, but his teammates kept telling him something was different about this version of the Montreal Alouettes.

Grey Cup revelry revved up today as a boozy green tsunami washed through downtown Calgary.

Fans of all stripes gather on the dance floor while attending Spirit of Edmonton Grey Cup party at Westin Hotel Thursday Nov 26, 2009.

The 2009 Canadian Football League season has come down to a dream matchup between the top regular season teams in the East and West divisions.

George Johnson Calgary Herald The aim, explains the Sultan of Sack, Anwar Stewart, is to leave footprints in the sands of time, not merely across the front of some unfortunate quarterback's jersey.

Eddie Davis may be a Saskatchewan Roughrider but he considers Sunday's Grey Cup in Calgary to be a home game.

One of these things is not like the others. The Saskatchewan Roughriders' starting receiving corps includes one import in Gerran Walker and four non-imports in Rob Bagg, Chris Getzlaf, Andy Fantuz and Adam Nicolson.

REGINA a ' GREY CUP WATCH: The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders meet Sunday for the fourth time in the 2009 season.

Riders mascot Gainer the Gopher visits the Saskatchewan Legislature on Tuesday. Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post REGINA a ' A giant gopher in a green jersey turned the staid atmosphere of the legislative chamber upside down Tuesday a ' evidence that Rider Pride isn't bound by even the strict rules of the legislature.

Something is missing from Omarr Morgan's resume. The Saskatchewan Roughriders' veteran cornerback has been named a West Division all-star four times and a CFL all-star on three occasions during his 10-year career.

Shea Emry, left, and teammate Paul Woldu feint at defying superstition Thursday by pretending to touch the Grey Cup.

With a 27-17 win Sunday afternoon over the Calgary Stampeders, the Saskatch- ewan Roughriders are off to the Grey Cup.

It appears that Jason Clermont will not undergo a role reversal this late in the Saskatchewan Roughriders' season.

Darian Durant celebrates victory over the Stampeders in the Western final on Sunday in Regina.

Does the bull stand a chance against the matador? Pose that query to a random sampling of the voting populace loitering around the Alberta Room at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel for the annual coaches' media briefing on Wednesday morning and the answers won't surprise you.

They have 60 minutes between becoming the Atlanta Braves or turning themselves into the Detroit Red Wings.

Candid. Misunderstood. Over his head. Hilarious. Refreshing. An embarrassment. The single best thing to happen to football reporters since God invented the buffet and happy hour.

Equipment manager Gordon Gilroy double checks the Riders' Grey Cup jerseys Monday prior to leaving for Calgary Photograph by: L-P Photo by Don Healy, Saskatchewan News Network; Regina Leader-Post The Saskatchewan Roughriders spent Monday packing and preparing for a business trip within Canada's biggest party.

Calvillo collects CFL weekly award Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo tries to get away from B.C.Lions defensive end Ricky Foley during first quarter CFL Eastern Final football action at Olympic Stadium Sunday, November 22, 2009 in Montreal.

First place is the last place the Saskatchewan Roughriders should have finished in 2009.

At least the garbage bags weren't green. That might have been too much to take. Still, there were enough reminders at McMahon Stadium Monday that the Stampeders lone goal of the season had been swallowed up by Gang Green a day earlier.

Louie Sakoda was on the fast track to the Grey Cup. Just five weeks after joining the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the rookie punter-kicker is headed to the CFL's title game.

Jim Hopson doesn't anticipate any change in the status of general manager Eric Tillman now that the Saskatchewan Roughriders have reached Sunday's Grey Cup game in Calgary.

Jason Armstead looked to be casually going out of bounds. Then, he quickly changed directions.

First we get blue boxes, then we get the Roughriders. Calgary's going green, alright.

TSN's viewers got a dream matchup in the CFL's West Division final. So did TSN's commentators.

Sean Myers Calgary Herald CALGARY -- When Calgary Stampeders equipment manager George Hopkins handed receiver Romby Bryant his touchdown ball, it had one word scrawled across the pigskin.

NOTED & QUOTED appears every Monday. "I don't know about you, but I'm glad my grandma's pies and cookies don't smell like dirty diapers."-- Gossip columnist Courtney Wagner , responding to actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who drew favourable comparisons between the stench of soiled diapers and the aroma of freshly baked goods.

The trauma of that late November afternoon nine years ago still holds the power to set a six-foot-six, 312-pound man's jaw on clench.

With 151 points, Luca Congi had his quietest Canadian Football League regular season yet as the Saskatchewan Roughriders' placekicker.

Calgary quarterback Henry Burris doesn't buy the notion the Stamps have a mental block about playing the Roughriders.

Twice in the first quarter two weeks ago at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant was sacked.

There once was a Detroit Tigers pitcher by the name of Frank Lary who they called 'The Yankee Killer.' Lary had ordinary numbers against the other teams but against Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra the rest of the best team in baseball, he had an unbelievable 28-13 lifetime record.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders reportedly sold more than $6.5-million in merchandise last year, more than any other CFL franchise -- as evidenced by the sea of green at home games.

As a regular feature, StarPhoenix sports reporter Cory Wolfe gets personal with a sports figure.

Stevie Baggs is looking for hits away from the football field. The Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end unveiled a new website, www.steviebaggs90.com, this week.

They substitute old-fashioned competence for the more in-vogue flamboyance. Command grudging respect without inspiring paralyzing fear.

Calgary Stampeders slotback Nik Lewis has a message to any Saskatchewan Roughrider who disapproves of his first-down celebrations.

Four Calgary Stampeders have been named All-Canadians. Running back Joffrey Reynolds, slotback Jeremaine Copeland, offensive tackle Ben Archibald and cornerback Brandon Browner were named Canadian Football League all-stars on Wednesday after voting by the Football Reporters of Canada and league coaches.

Jim Davis of the Calgary Stampeders sacks Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Ricky Ray during Friday's CFL game.

In 10 regular-season games, Riders return man Jason Armstead returned 42 punts for 387 yards and 33 kickoffs for 806 yards .

Chances are if the Calgary Stampeders score four offensive touchdowns in a playoff game, three of them will come from their big three.

It's change for the sake of change. And the Edmonton Eskimos don't mind admitting it.

Joffrey Reynolds was planning a celebration for Nov. 26 anyway, so this is icing on his birthday cake.

Henry Burris promised "We'll be back." Yesterday, the Calgary Stampeders' star signal-caller backed it up.

B.C. Lions coach Wally Buono will use every trick up his sleeve to beat Montreal after dispatching the Ticats on Sunday.

Riders head coach Ken Miller drains the last drops of water from a Gatorade jug after offensive linemen Jeremy Oa TMDay and Marc Parenteau doused the bench boss after defeating the Calgary Stampeders on Nov.

Friday the 13th certainly wasn't a good day for Teyo Johnson . The Calgary Stampeders fullback is recovering after being stabbed at a Tiesto show at Calgary's Big Four Building on the Stampede Grounds early Friday morning.

Whichever term you fancy, applies. Set the traps for Sunday. For Regina, The Return; Saskatchewan, The Sequel.

Casey Printers hit Ian Smart on an eight-yard TD pass to earn the B.C. Lions a dramatic 34-27 overtime win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL's East semifinal Sunday afternoon.

One year ago, the Saskatchewan Roughriders' brass had difficulty deciding whether Darian Durant was the best quarterback on the team.

Ricky Ray and the Eskimos went 1-3 against the Stamps this season. The Edmonton Eskimos couldn't have picked a better time to be playing their best football of the season.

Mike Labinjo wasn't talking yesterday. But Calgary Stampeders coach John Hufnagel needed just 10 words to summarize what the burly defensive lineman was so upset about.

They share more in common than just a rivalry. Edmonton Eskimos slotback Kamau Peterson and Calgary Stampeders receiver Nik Lewis are a couple of CFL veterans coming off big seasons in 2008 only to be kept out of the end zone all but once each this season.

Maurice Lloyd is an Edmonton Eskimo who believes the Calgary Stampeders aren't taking his football team seriously.

Based on practice formations yesterday, three-fifths of the Calgary Stampeders offensive line from a week ago was missing from action.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will have representation at tomorrow's West Division semi-final. The Riders special teams co-ordinator Kavis Reed and offensive assistant Marcus Crandell will be at McMahon Stadium to scout the Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders.

Both Romby Bryant and Arjei Franklin look back on Sept. 20 as one of the best days of the Canadian Football League season.

Stamps tight end hurt at KISS concert Calgary Stampeders tight end Teyo Johnson, seen in a game against the Toronto Argonauts earlier this season, won't play in Sunday's CFL West Division final.

You couldn't ask for finer symmetry: the blocker and the one skirting the blocks, both lauded for their notable play in the Canadian Football League West Division.

The scoreboard at Mosaic Stadium read "Riders versus Undecided," but the lack of a known opponent didn't stop Saskatchewan from hitting the practice field hard Thursday.

Arkee Whitlock wears his philosophy on a tattoo, penned in florid script across his chest: By Any Means Necessary.

Anthony Calvillo is eyeing his second consecutive CFL most outstanding player award.

After a disappointing loss to Saskatchewan on Saturday in the battle for top spot in the West Division, the Stampeders enjoyed an extra day off before returning to the practice field Wednesday.

Longtime Calgary Stampeders executive Tony Anselmo, who was recently inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, has died.

After dominating the CFL during the regular season, the Montreal Alouettes dominated the East Division all-star selections Wednesday.

Donovan Alexander during Rider practice Wednesday. REGINA a ' Donovan Alexander is a rookie without benefits.

Calgary Stampeders quarterback Henry Burris gets sacked by Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end John Chick.

Ken Miller prefers to let the spotlight shine on his players and assistant coaches, but it is impossible to overlook the head coach's role in what the Saskatchewan Roughriders have accomplished in 2009.

Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Rey Williams said Tuesday he and his mates were ready to play the Calgary Stampeders in a showdown for first place in the CFL's West Division.

Wally Buonoa s playoff streak with the B.C. Lions remains intact. The Lions clinched a CFL playoff berth Sunday when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated Winnipeg 39-17. The win secured the Ticats second spot in the East Division and the right to host B.C. in the conference semifinal Nov.

REGINA a ' Regardless of who finishes first in the CFLa TMs West Division in 2009, tonighta TMs regular-season game at Mosaic Stadium should qualify as No.

When it came to his chances at a post-season award, Dwight Anderson had two strikes against him when he signed with the Calgary Stampeders prior to last season.

A year ago, henry burris seemed to have been anointed by the gods. Sprinkled with stardust.

REGINA a ' Quarterback Darian Durant has been named the Saskatchewan Roughriders' nominee for the CFL's most-outstanding-player award.

REGINA a ' Stevie Baggs went on the offensive after John Chick was named the Saskatchewan Roughriders' nominee for the 2009 most outstanding defensive-player award.

Geroy Simon thinks his B.C. Lions teammates have finally figured out that they have to play football games to the final whistle.

Statistically speaking, the Saskatchewan Roughriders' timing could not be any worse.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders can only hope that 33 is a lucky number. Saturday marks the 33rd anniversary of the day the Roughriders last secured first place in the CFL West.

Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo is among the team nominees named Thursday for the Canadian Football League's outstanding player award.

REGINA a ' Defensive halfback Eddie Davis expects to be back for the CFL playoffs a ' whenever they begin for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

After a slow start, Joffrey Reynolds has enjoyed perhaps his finest CFL season. Said Reynolds: ''I had to chase people.

Murray McCormick The StarPhoenix REGINA -- The CFL's schedule makers could not have dreamed of a better ending to the 2009 regular season.

With one week of regular-season action remaining in the decade, it's time to unveil the team of the 2000s.

While thousands of people stood in the cold for hours last week to be inoculated against the H1N1 virus, the Calgary Flames arranged for their players to receive the flu shots away from the crowds.

My favourite adage - nobody talks about the planes that land - applies to Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant.

Ricky Foley of the B.C. Lions celebrates a tackle on Calgary Stampeders running back Joffrey Reynolds during Saturday's CFL game at Vancouver.

The Meltdown in Steeltown was a Halloween horror show. EEK! The Saskatchewan Roughriders marked the arrival of Oct.

B.C. quarterback Casey Printers goes back to pass during Saturday's CFL game with the Saskatchewan Roughriders playing the B.C. Lions at Mosaic Stadium in Regina October 24, 2009 in Regina.

Slotback Geroy Simon sits second in receiving yards despite having to adjust to four different quarterbacks.