Not all losses are created equal.
A week ago, the Calgary Stampeders left Montreal feeling like they’d thrown the game away against the Alouettes.
Maybe they’ll feel like they let one slip through their fingers against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-4) on Friday night – and maybe it’ll hurt just the same – but there is no question that the Stampeders (2-3) have a lot more to feel optimistic about.
Yes, they wound up on the losing end of a 41-37 scoreline and there are undoubtedly some plays they’d like to have back – honestly, the refs might feel the same way – but the performance itself was light years ahead of what they showed against the Alouettes.
This is progress.
There were frustrations around the Stampeders fanbase last weekend about quarterback Jake Maier’s performance. He struggled in that game, to be sure.
But with the exception of two interceptions, one of which was a pick-six, Maier was way, way better against the Bombers. He completed 20-of-31 passes and threw two touchdowns and was much more aggressive looking downfield.
He was particularly impressive after the pick-six, too. That play had come late in the second quarter and could have been a massive momentum-shifter, but the Stamps offence returned to the field and scored 10 points before halftime, including a touchdown that came courtesy of an absolutely stunning catch from Erik Brooks for a 32-yard score.
The ball just seemed to move around the field with more creativity on Friday and while Clark Barnes led the way amongst the receivers with 80 yards, Jalen Philpot and Reggie Begelton had 66- and 62-yard nights, too.
Again, the turnovers hurt. There are still things that need cleaning up in the passing game, but nobody is pretending the Stampeders are anything other than a work-in-progress. And there was real progress there against the Bombers.
It absolutely must be noted, too, that Dedrick Mills carried a tonne of water for the Stamps. Back in the lineup after missing last week’s game, the running back was monstrous, racking up 131 yards on 15 carries and bursting through holes and defenders seemingly at-will.
If this offence is going to truly kick into high gear and start putting teams away, Mills is clearly going to have to be a big driver of that. And on Friday, he reminded the world what he’s capable of.
Defensively, sure, giving up 41 points isn’t what you want. But the pick-six obviously had nothing to do with the defence and the Stamps won’t be happy about an utterly bizarre pass-interference call on the Bombers’ game-winning drive.
It’s in the eye of the beholder, to be sure, but the command centre’s decision to rule that Branden Dozier had interfered with Drew Wolitarsky was a tough one to swallow for anyone wearing Red & White in Winnipeg on Friday, and definitely had a big impact on the game.
There were certainly some bright spots on defence, though, especially seeing Tre Roberson come down with two interceptions after a rough outing against the Alouettes.
If all of this feels like this reporter is wearing rose-coloured glasses about a performance that ultimately resulted in a loss for the Stampeders, well, we have no choice but to grade on a curve here and there was substantial improvement compared to a week ago in Montreal and even the win over the Bombers two weeks ago at McMahon Stadium.
The Stamps are not a perfect team and they face a huge test next weekend when they host the high-flying B.C. Lions, but all anyone can ask is that they show that they’re improving.
And they did exactly that on Friday night.