The QB plan appears to be for Matt Shiltz to shoulder the load the rest of the way for the Calgary Stampeders.
That’s as long as his left shoulder is up to the task after it took a hit in Friday’s loss to the host Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
“He got a stinger,” said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson of his starting quarterback the last two games. “He definitely is taking the day, and we’ll see how we do (in the next few days).
“I want to be fair to him … In order for him to do what he needs to do, he’s gotta be able to (be healthy).”
For those wanting to see a different look at QB other than the veterans Shiltz and Jake Maier for the Stampeders (4-12-1) in their season finale against the host Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-7-1) on Saturday at Regina’s Mosaic Field (5 p.m., TSN, QR Calgary), don’t go holding your breath …
Although Dickenson didn’t exactly close the door entirely on that idea.
After all, he has to be thinking about what’s best moving forward at the pivotal position.
“I know everybody wants to play in that whole group,” Dickenson said. “So we’ll see what happens.”
With Shiltz sidelined Tuesday, it was Maier taking first-team reps in practice.
Not exactly a look into the future.
Because we know what we get with Maier. The 27-year-old has had a sample size of two-plus years to show off his wares.
In fairness to Shiltz, he has gone 34-of-62 for 438 passing yards with two touchdowns, two interceptions and 133 rushing yards in — so far — a three-game relief of Maier is his first action in nearly a year. With that, we have to afford him a few games to shake off the rust.
So a third start Saturday might paint a better picture of what the 31-year-old can do for the team. For the record, Shiltz was 12-of-24 for 124 passing yards with one INT and 43 rushing yards but sat out most of the third quarter after suffering the shoulder injury Friday night in Hamilton.
At 27, Tommy Stevens seems destined to be the forever short-yardage QB — a role in which he’s become ever successful. But there appears to be no consistent passing future for him with the Stamps.
Then there’s Logan Bonner, who got the sudden start in the Labour Day Replay in Edmonton, where the heat — both literally and mentally — was on him and the free-falling Stamps. The second-year pro got just that one-game audition and was under pressure from the Edmonton Elks all game.
It would be good to see more of the 27-year-old to get an idea if he belongs in the CFL.
“Like I said …” reiterated Dickenson, about his QB options. “In that room, everybody wants to play. Everybody will get balls (at practice), so we’ll see what happens when we get closer to the game.”
And what of newcomer P.J. Walker?
He’ll likely stay on the practice roster, allowing him to become a free agent at the conclusion of the CFL season.
That would mean he could return to the NFL, if there’s an invite. For instance, his former team, the Cleveland Browns, just lost QB Deshaun Watson to a season-ending injury and might want to bring back Walker because he’s familiar with their offence.
“We can just move on from that question, because I talked to P.J.,” Dickenson said. “So at this point … no, (he won’t play).”
It’s likely then that if Shiltz is available, he will play.
And while the question of the team’s QB future certainly should be at the forefront of Dickenson’s mind, he also is mindful of the CFL, in general.
What’s good for the three-down game is forever one of his best traits.
“I do feel like it’s my job to put the best players out there,” added Dickenson, when asked about evaluating for the future in the season finale. “I do believe in the integrity of the league in that other people depend on our effort, as well.”
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are potentially one of those teams Saturday.
If they lose to the Montreal Alouettes earlier in the day, they’ll be counting on the Stamps to beat the Roughriders in a bid to finish first in the CFL’s West Division.
Besides, Dickenson wants to field his best squad so the Stamps can snap their 2024 winless road record of 0-8.
“The last game was a downer — it certainly didn’t look like us,” added Dickenson of the Week 20 42-20 drop to the Ticats. “That’s every area — that’s what was frustrating.
“Hopefully we can flush it. We need to … and put a better performance on the field against Sask.”
Short yardage
Other Stamps absent from practice Tuesday were WR Ishmael Hyman (calf), WR Cole Tucker (hamstring) and LB Darius Williams (wrist) … WR Eric Brooks (arm) was limited in the session … DB Daniel Amoako did practise fully.