Sep
Davis a smash hit with Stamps
Courtesy Calgary Herald:
Upon joining the Calgary Stampeders a few weeks ago, it was Jim Davis’ aim to get his foot stuck in that revolving door that is the defensive line.
More outings like the last and they’ll have a heckuva time prying his foot loose.
Davis put all of his six-foot-four, 276-pound frame into the job against Edmonton last Friday, and came away justly rewarded. He was a wrecking ball personified, recording three Ricky Ray sacks, a fumble recovery, a tipped pass and four tackles.
“The main thing for me was, coming in late, try to prepare and do whatever I can to fit in,’’ Davis pointed out. “Just play solid defence and help the team however I could.’’
The fact that this outstanding performance came against an Eskimos team with which he played last year and which cut him after training camp this past spring . . . merely coincidence.
“Maybe . . .,’’ he smiled coyly, when asked if it felt extra special. “The important thing is it was the next game. It was an important game, a divisional game, a game we needed to win. I didn’t want to do anything out of the ordinary. Just do my assignment and the plays could come and it turned into a couple of good plays.’’
Stamps coaches, those who really matter, were suitably impressed.
“He had a pretty good game,’’ understated defensive co-
ordinator Chris Jones. “I think he’s still working himself into good game shape ’cause he’s only been here three weeks. Hopefully he can maintain that level of consistency.’’
Though he kept training after being let go by Edmonton, as he continued to sit at home in Richmond, Va., Davis felt perhaps his football-playing days were numbered.
“For me, it was a difficult time,’’ confessed the 27-year-old, who attended Stamps’ training camp in 2007. “It was the first time I’d been outside of football for a while and I really missed the game. Every player comes to that point . . . whether or not football is going to be their career for the rest of their lives. The phones weren’t ringing; I was thinking football wouldn’t be an option. Thank God, by God’s grace I got the phone call, and lo and behold it was my first team, Calgary. I jumped up and down; I was happy, ready to get back into a flow of things.’’
The Stamps’ defensive line, due to injuries, has had a number of players auditioning for a role. The most notable new additions are Charleston Hughes and Tearrius George, both of whom were in the rotation at Monday’s practice.
“We’re certainly excited about having guys like that on our football team,’’ noted Jones, “and that’s not to slap the guys who have been here and have worked for us all year . . . but any time you can add a good player to your football team you’re excited.’’
“No doubt,’’ he added. “Competition is good.’’
“Every player knows they have to earn their position,’’ Davis pitched in, “and it’ll be the same for this week. Nobody knows who they’re going to put out there; it’s our job to fight like we’re going to play. We’re going to continue to work, prepare for Hamilton and whoever they put on the field, that’s what we go with.’’
A number of the Stamps’ wounded were on the field as well yesterday, testing out their wonky parts. These include defensive linemen Justin Phillips and Mike Labinjo, linebacker Tristan Black and defensive back Brandon Browner.
“It’s nice to see us get some of the players who were nicked back on the practice field,’’ offered head coach and GM John Hufnagel. “Browner looked very good; I’m very optimistic that he’ll be back in the lineup in the very near future. Justin looked good, so it’s getting a little brighter. This is Brandon’s first day, Mike’s first day. Tomorrow will be a big indication of how far they are in their rehab period, see how sore they are.’’
EXTRA POINTS: The Stamps have added a pair to their practice roster: import receiver Maurice Price and import defensive back Dee Webb. Both have spent some time in the NFL, while the latter was a member of the 2008 Arena Bowl champion Philadelphia Soul.
