Courtesy Calgary Herald:

Looking around his locker-room a day after playoff defeat, Henry Burris saw a team that can grow into something special.

That’s why the Calgary Stampeders quarterback wants to see minimal player movement this off-season.

“We need to establish consistency and keep our group the same,” Burris said Monday. “That’s the only way you’re going to have any type of consistent play. If you continually change guys, you never build any trust, never build any unity and never build that family that you have to have.”

In the wake of Sunday’s 26-24 Canadian Football League loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West Division semifinal, Burris and his mates realize some moves will be made. But wholesale changes probably will be avoided.

Here’s a quick look at Calgary’s roster and what to expect for certain areas. Keep in mind, a coaching change will greatly affect the evaluation and decision-making process.

Offence

While his playoff game wasn’t up to snuff, Burris proved he’s one of the league’s top pivots. The way his playing time was handled when he returned from a dislocated shoulder kept him from being at his best in the West semifinal. He’s safe.

Backup QB Ben Sankey revived his CFL career and deserves another chance, while Barrick Nealy is a youngster worth developing.

RB Joffrey Reynolds had a disappointing final third and saw little action in the playoff game. The bloom is off the rose a bit, but he’ll be back to make a statement. Ken Simonton waited patiently for playing time and rushed for 114 yards in his lone start. The team would have him back, but would he come back?

Rookie Jon Cornish was paid to play special teams, but should see some action on offence in 2008.

Canadian fullbacks Rob Cote and Gerald Commissiong did some nice things as rookies and will be back.

The receiving trio of Ken-Yon Rambo, Jeremaine Copeland and Nik Lewis was stellar and J.R. Tolver is another good import talent. They should all be brought back, but the Stamps will still be looking for a game-breaker, who can contribute on returns.

Among the Canadian pass catchers, Brett Ralph had a good year, Ryan Thelwell improved during the season and a 2008 sleeper is Greg Hetherington, who spent the season on the practice roster.

The offensive line was a veteran group that played adequately, but took an excessive number of penalties. Jay McNeil will retire and John Comiskey should fill his spot. Jeff Pilon, Bobby Singh and Rob Lazeo are veterans who will return, while Godfrey Ellis and Derek Armstrong are pushing for action. It’s doubtful either import left tackle — Dave Costa or Garrick Jones — will wear Red and White again.

Defence

Most change should come at linebacker, where veterans Brian Clark and Cornelius Anthony are halfway out the door. They lost their jobs during the season and aren’t expected back.

Shannon James and Trey Young are valuable to the team, but Young is terribly miscast as a weak-side linebacker. Perhaps he’ll move back to the secondary.

Scott Coe’s starting days in the middle appear over, and import Matt Grootegoed could get a shot at the job. Rookie Neil Ternovatsky had value in a rotation as a rookie.

Mike Labinjo missed much of the season with an elbow injury after he was moved to defensive end from linebacker. His future is there with Justin Philips and Pat McDonald backing him up at what would become a Canadian position. Eddie Freeman, Marcus Parker and Keron Williams are interior linemen who should be brought back.

Anthony Gargiulo (providing he recovers from a horrible ankle injury), Terrence Patrick, Tearrius George are end candidates . . . The Stamps definitely have some talent on the line, but it’s young and needs to be employed properly . . . Canadian tackles Randy Chevrier and Miguel Robede didn’t get much opportunity to play in 2007 and their futures are in question . . . In the secondary, S Dwaine Carpenter quickly became a starter and team captain. Brandon Browner and Julian Battle are newcomers who showed promise. CB Crance Clemons stayed healthy all year and was steady. Sedrick Williams was on the bubble all year, before committing that fatal offside penalty in the West semifinal . . . Veteran Canadian Wes Lysack doesn’t seem part of the plans, while Sean Manning is another practice-roster player expected to emerge in 2008.

Special Teams

The place kicking is set for as long as Sandro DeAngelis remains a Stampeder. He’s under a long-term contract. Burke Dales would have taken the punting job from Duncan O’Mahony down the stretch, if not for a cyst on his knee. It will be Dales’ job next year . . . Markus Howell capably handled punt returns, but they didn’t have a threat on kickoffs . . . The team lacked athleticism at linebacker, which often hurts the cover units. These areas will improve together. Marc Calixte, Browner, Cornish and Grootegoed were good contributors, but they’re about two good men short of being outstanding.