Dave Dickenson’s twentieth 12 months within the Calgary Stampeders group is his first push of contracts throughout the desk for gamers to signal.
When John Hufnagel handed the final supervisor’s reins to his head coach in December after 15 years on the job, Dickenson started getting ready for his first foray into CFL free company that begins Feb. 14.
“I’ve a very good function mannequin,” Dickenson mentioned Tuesday at McMahon Stadium. “I in all probability did not put in as many hours in January and February, but it surely was enjoyable.”
The 50-year-old from Nice Falls, Mont., was Calgary’s quarterback from 1997 to 2000 and performed his remaining CFL season with the Stampeders in 2008 earlier than becoming a member of the crew’s teaching employees the next 12 months.
Dickenson took over from Hufnagel as head coach in 2016 after being an apprentice beneath him for seven years. Hufnagel continued the succession plan when Dickenson added GM to his job.
READ MORE: Dickenson coach provides GM duties as Hufnagel resigns
Hufnagel, 71, stays with the Stampeders as president and a expertise evaluator guide.
Dickenson and assistant normal supervisor Brendan Mahoney have been laborious at work re-signing as many gamers as attainable beneath a $5.51 million wage cap earlier than the gong sounds to open the free agent market subsequent week.
“When you get to the open market and free company, it is type of a free-for-all and thrilling, yeah, but it surely finally ends up being rather less sleep,” Dickenson mentioned.
Offensive lineman Derek Dennis, receiver Reggie Begelton, defensive again Jonathan Moxey, linebacker Cameron Choose and all-star kicker Rene Paredes have been among the many dozen gamers who selected to re-sign with the Stampeders relatively than take a look at the market .
Dickenson additionally introduced again former Stampeder defensive lineman James Vaughters after his three-year NFL stint.
However linebacker Jameer Thurman, all-star offensive lineman Shawn Lemon and longtime Stampeder receiver Kamar Jorden have been nonetheless amongst potential free brokers Tuesday.
“You are feeling like you might have a really feel for numbers and the place guys slot in and you recognize what the remainder of the league may be considering after which generally some huge numbers come out,” Dickenson famous. “You are like ‘whoa, this throws off our negotiating place or the place we’re with our crew.’
“After which there may be shock on the opposite aspect. ‘I assumed he would get extra. Now, okay, perhaps we are able to discover a participant in that vary that helps our crew.’ I actually wasn’t knowledgeable about that type of stuff earlier than. Now I truly see the numbers and discuss to the brokers.”
Whereas Calgary can keep away from rushed quarterback bidding with Jake Maier signed by means of 2024, there are different Stampeder voids to fill.
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Dickenson, who coached Calgary to a 12-6 report in 2022, would not imagine he essentially misplaced a participant to free company if he cannot signal him earlier than Feb. 14.
“We additionally instructed among the guys, ‘Hey, we won’t actually provide you with what we expect you deserve, do not match our construction, go to free company, see what’s on the market. In case you get a very good deal, go for it. If it is one thing you do not like, or don’t need, come again with us and see if it may be a very good match for our crew.’
“It is uncomfortable, particularly with the vets. The fellows who’ve given you a lot, and a lot blood, sweat and tears after which to say ‘hey, go look elsewhere and if you happen to don’t love what you get, come again’, it is simply laborious for me to essentially look a man within the eye and say it even when it is the reality. Finally, I believe they respect that, but it surely’s nonetheless troublesome.”
There shall be competitors for 34-year-old defensive finish Lemon, who was final season’s West Division nominee for the CFL’s defensive participant of the 12 months.
“He truly performed for a very low cost deal final 12 months and he understands that he deserved a elevate and now now we have to see the place we’re,” Dickenson mentioned.
“Once more, that is one other a type of veteran guys. Make it troublesome. I do not know what he is being provided, however he is obtained to be a man who finally ends up getting a elevate and I believe he deserves it.”
Canadian receiver Richie Sindani, who’s serving a two-game suspension for a drug violation, is headed totally free company, Dickenson mentioned.
Calgary’s GM was assured world punter Cody Grace would return to Calgary after figuring out for NFL groups.
Choose’s two-year extension was important for Dickenson as a result of he’s “rising into that function as a shutdown man”.
In the meantime, Dickenson’s offseason work to construct a championship crew continues earlier than he can start directing the sphere at coaching camp.
“All of our gamers are conscious of the place they stand,” the coach and GM mentioned. “I be ok with it.
“I do not know what number of instances I’ve hit free company as a participant, however I’ve all the time felt so long as you recognize the place you stand and may make an knowledgeable choice, that is how I believe it ought to be.”
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