The Calgary Stampeders were busy during the off-season.
After missing the playoffs, they knew they had to be.
First, they acquired quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. from the B.C. Lions.
Then, they brought in pass rusher Folarin Orimolade from the Toronto Argonauts.
The Stamps also added several players through free agency over the past couple of days.
Head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson was pleased with what he’s been able to accomplish.
“The criteria, like I said, was to get better,” Dickenson said.
“We did, and I’ll be honest with you, we wanted to get bigger interiorly. We wanted to have speed on the edge, we wanted a bigger defensive back group and we wanted bigger receivers.
“You look across the board, and we’ll have size out there, we’ll have toughness and guys that can make plays on the ball.”
Added big receivers
Adams likes tall receivers, and that’s what he got when the Stamps signed 6′4 Dominique Rhymes from the RedBlacks and 6′3 Tevin Jones from the Elks.
Jones is now on the other side of the Battle of Alberta and says coming to Calgary was an obvious choice.
“V.A. (Vernon Adams) has his own presence. ... So when Calgary put that hat on the table, I knew that Adams was going to be here and knew he was going to give me some opportunities to get the ball,” he said.
Reunited
Rhymes and Adams know each other well.
They played with each other on the Lions in 2022 and 2023 and put up some great numbers.
Rhymes says having Adams here made it an easy decision to join the Stamps.
“Just to be back with V.A. and the brotherhood we’ve built over the past few years,” he said.
“It’s amazing, and I already know some of the receivers here.”
Coming home
It’s a homecoming for running back Jeshrun Antwi.
After four seasons in Montreal, he signed a free agent contract with the Stampeders.
Antwi grew up in Calgary and played all of his football here.
He says it’s a dream come true to play for the Stampeders.
“When you go to high school football here and when you play university football here, you always dream about playing for the Stampeders,” he said.
“In the past few years, we tried to make it happen, and it didn’t happen, but now I’m happy to be here.”
Adams gives stamp of approval
Adams says he’s delighted with what the Stamps have been able to do this off-season.
He knows he’ll have plenty of weapons at his disposal this season.
“I’m very excited about this year,” he said.
“About everybody we’ve picked up, and we’re going to build our own identity here, and like Jeshrun (Antwi) said, we’re going to start to turn this ship around.”
