Courtesy Calgary Herald:

The challenge was issued nearly three weeks ago by John Hufnagel.

The Calgary Stampeders coach and general manager had, without prompting, made it very clear that he needed to be shown that Miguel Robede and Mike Labinjo were worthy of the uniform.

“You tell me what they’ve done in the past,” said Hufnagel at a news conference back on May 28. “I have no starting point; I’m not trying to be wise or anything, but what have they done? You can’t tell me that because they haven’t been on the field enough. They will be on the field to tell me whether or not they can play football. They will be given every opportunity.”

With the end of training camp just days away, and preparations already underway for the Stamps’ season opener, June 26 against B.C., it appears both players have risen to the challenge.

Robede started at defensive tackle in Friday night’s pre-season win over Edmonton, and will presumably be there again Thursday when the Stamps close out the pre-season at B.C. Place Stadium against the Lions (8 p.m. MDT, QR77 Radio).

Labinjo started at defensive end and also put in time at linebacker, showing his versatility.

“I think they’ve shown that they deserve to be on the field,” said Hufnagel on Monday. “And once they’re on the field, they’ll show whether they can stay on the field. They’ve worked hard every practice, they’ve had a great attitude, and I’m very pleased with their progress.”

Both had much to prove. Robede, a former No. 1 overall draft choice, never quite fit in Denny Creehan’s defence and grew frustrated at his lack of playing time. Labinjo, meanwhile, arrived in Calgary with high expectations last season after a few years in the NFL, but saw his season derailed by a serious arm injury.

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