CALGARY – One receiver and one defensive lineman go east, and one receiver and one defensive lineman come west – on paper, it’s a straight-up, player-for-player swap.
Except one of those players the Calgary Stampeders acquired in a six-man deal with the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday afternoon will get a long-awaited chance to expand his horizons beyond the receiver position.
Reggie McNeal, who along with defensive tackle Adrian Davis joins the Stampeders while defensive tackle Miguel Robede and slotback P.K. Sam go to the Argos (the teams also swapped negotiation-list defensive linemen), was a standout college quarterback at Texas A&M before turning pro.
And his new employer, Stamps coach and general manager John Hufnagel, plans to give McNeal, 27, a long look at quarterback during training camp next month.
“We get an athlete who is a unique individual,” said Hufnagel. “I evaluated Reggie when I was in the NFL, and I thought at the time, “˜Here’s a great CFL quarterback.’ We will pursue that angle, and Reggie is very excited about that. I’m going to find out what he can do at the quarterback position and use his talents as I see fit.
“I don’t think I’ll say he’s strictly a quarterback, and I don’t think I’ll say he’s strictly a wide receiver. We’ll evaluate during training camp and make decisions at that time.”
And once he’d digested the trade (along with the lunch he was enjoying with his trainer in Houston when he got the call from Argos coach Jim Barker telling him he’d been traded), McNeal couldn’t hide his excitement at the chance he’s being given in Calgary after spending three seasons as a receiver with the Argos, along with running various gimmick plays along the way.
“It’s a great feeling because I know they’re going to use me to my ability, and coming in there with all the athletes we have – they have a great receiving corps, great QB, great linebackers, the whole squad,” said McNeal, who was limited by a groin injury to just seven games and 13 catches last year, after making 43 catches in his first CFL season, 2008. “After talking to Coach Hufnagel, I know I can still go back to receiver and see what I can do there, too.
“I love their offence. They put up plenty of points and everybody puts up big numbers. You can never complain about that. Just to be in that mix is going to be fun.”
Davis, meanwhile, was expected to be a contender to take Adriano Belli’s spot on the Argo D-line after backing him up for three years. Instead, he gets traded to a city that played host to the finest game of his career, a four-tackle, one-sack effort last Canada Day when he started for the suspended Belli.
Interestingly, he and Robede, both 29, were considered the top two D-line prospects in Quebec while growing up.
“I’m excited to be a part of the organization,” said Davis, a longtime friend and former college teammate of, and current business partner with, fellow Stamps receiver Jabari Arthur. “(Stamps defensive co-ordinator) Chris Jones was in Montreal, he originally drafted me, and to have an opportunity to go into his defence, which is one of the best defences for putting guys in a position to suit their talents, I’m happy to be a part of that.”
Davis joins what will be one of the better training-camp battles – the Canadian defensive tackle spot, where the likes of incumbent Corey Mace (recovering from back surgery) and promising rookie Ian DeGannes-Shaw will be looking for playing time, with Hufnagel hoping to sign at least one more prospect.
“Jonesie worked with him in Montreal and liked his work ethic,” said Hufnagel. “He has a good motor, and he gives us the depth we’re looking for.”
The truth of the matter is that both Sam and Robede were anything but good bets to make the Stamps’ 2011 roster. Sam, acquired from the Argos in return for Jeremaine Copeland in February 2010, was injured most of last year, and Ken-Yon Rambo’s return to health and stardom basically closed the door on Sam. Robede, meanwhile, was coming off a concussion that short-circuited his 2010 season, and would have been a depth player at best with the Stamps this year.
“I feel really good about the trade,” said Robede. “I hope Calgary does well, but I’m hoping for the best in Toronto. I’ll be closer to home; it’s a business, and I’ll play anywhere I can.”
EXTRA POINTS – The Stamps announced the signings of two import receivers on Thursday: former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Dudley Guice and Tyrre Burks.
Calgary Herald
acameron@calgaryherald.com
Twitter.com/AllenCameronCH
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