Courtesy Stan Peters of CFL Digest:

If it sounds like Calgary has sprung a slow leak, it’s for good reason. The collective sigh of relief from Stampeder fans is only just now subsiding on the eve of the first installment of the CFL’s version of the “Battle of Alberta.”

That sigh, or gasp even, comes thanks to a stellar performance by the Red & White in the two most questionable facets of the squad coming into the ‘08 season. What everyone here in Cowtown wanted to know after a fine pre-season on defence and the O-line, was how the newbies would fare when the “bullets started to fly” for real. Those “bullets” came in the form of the BC Lions, favored by many to top the west, and boasting some monster performers on both lines.

Not only did Calgary’s young O-line hold their own, they held off the BC pass rush and provided the holes for Joffrey Reynolds to romp for 125 yards. And the defense? Four QB sacks, allowing just 278 yards offense until game’s dying minutes, all the while laying a physical pounding on Buck Pierce, Geroy Simon and Jason Clermont.

Mission accomplished, right? Not according to John Hufnagel. While happy with the win in his first CFL game as a head coach, Huff was clear in his dissatisfaction with his squad losing the turnover battle 3-2 and being flagged for 10 penalties… two areas the new boss has vowed will change under his guidance.

On to game 2 and the arch-rival Edmonton Eskimos, who have that “backs-against-the-wall” vibe going already with “Coach Choach” dangling by the thinnest of threads…. Calgary’s young defense must be licking their chops after watching the Saskatchewan pass rush spend the better part of Saturday evening in Ricky Ray’s face…expectations are high for this one, but you can never - (even now that they’re doing their best doormat imitation) - ever - count out the dreaded Eskimos.