Courtesy Calgary Herald:

Just when Joffrey Reynolds seemed to be in a position to finally contribute to the Calgary Stampeders offence, his ankle gave out on him.

After two quiet games to open the season, when the Stamps’ ground game was neutralized because opponents jumped out to big leads, last Friday’s 44-9 win over the Toronto Argonauts seemed tailor-made for Reynolds to rack up some big yardage and kill some clock at the same time.

That he was even able to score touchdowns, one on a run, one on a reception, is a testament to his toughness, considering when he left McMahon Stadium after the game, wearing a stabilizing boot on his foot, he was convinced he would miss a Canadian Football League game due to injury for the first time in his career.

“He toughed it out again,” said an admiring Stamps coach and GM John Hufnagel. “(Backup) Derek Watson was already down, there was nobody else left, and he never said a word. Ever since I’ve been associated with Joffrey, he’s shown that he’s a very determined, tough and durable player. And he demonstrated that again on Friday.”

In the end, though, it was another frustrating night for the Stamps’ ground game, which ranks next to last in yards per game (71) in the league.

How to explain it?

Certainly, injuries have been a factor. The first two games, the offensive line was missing starters, and then in Game 3, both Reynolds and Watson got hurt.

As well, Reynolds has lacked a healthy No. 2 man all year. Projected backup Jon Cornish hasn’t played since getting hurt in the pre-season, while imports Demetris Summers and Watson also have suffered injuries.

Also, the Stamps passing game has yet to really take off. If Henry Burris and his receivers are in sync, defences have to back off the line of scrimmage, which, in turn, creates rushing opportunities.

And, oh, yes, keep in mind Reynolds, like most successful running backs, is brilliant at dissecting tired defences in the fourth quarter. In Friday’s game, Calgary’s offence was barely on the field for much of the fourth quarter because the defence was so busy scoring touchdowns.

In essence, it’s a balancing act, and the Stamps have yet to strike that balance on offence.

“We’re not pleased with it, and we have to continue to strive to get better with it,” said Hufnagel. “It’s a combination of some new wrinkles that we can be efficient at. Beating your man up front, one on one. And handing the ball off more. The more touches you get means that you’re probably winning the game, you have the momentum on your side, you have an edge, and sometimes that’s the difference between a four-yard gain and a 14-yard gain. It’s not just one thing that you can point to.”

Friday, at least, it was a little more cut and dried. Reynolds’ ankle was tender and his backup was hurt. No running backs, no running game.

“I didn’t tell anyone,” said Reynolds. “I tried to walk it off for a little bit, and it got to a situation where Derek went down and I was the only running back left. It’s the heat of the game and you always want to play.

“Oh, it was very uncomfortable. It was a situation where being out there, I didn’t want to hurt the team by being a liability. I didn’t get a shot or anything; just played through it, really, and keep moving on the sidelines so it didn’t stiffen up.”

Reynolds, 29, has 97 yards on 24 carries this season, well off the pace he set last year en route to his first CFL rushing title with 1,310 yards

“I’m a little off the pace, but I’m really not too worried about that,” he said. “It’s a long season and you have to run the race the way you have to run it. I’m just really focused on how well we’re playing as an offence and having an opportunity to be successful and make the playoffs.”

Read more….