Calgary Stampeders' Henry Burris (R) hands off to team-mate Joffrey Reynolds during their CFL football game against the BC Lions in Vancouver, British Columbia August 27, 2010. REUTERS/Lyle StaffordLYLE STAFFORD/Reuters
The Calgary Stampeders thumped their provincial rivals the last time the two teams met, but Henry Burris doesn't expect a repeat on Labour Day.
Calgary romped to a convincing 56-15 over Edmonton at McMahon Stadium on Aug. 15., but the Stampeders quarterback cautioned that the Eskimos have since turned the corner and will ready for the rematch on Monday (TSN, 6 p.m.).
"They have so many talented guys on this team, it boggles our mind that they were struggling the way that they were," Burris said of the Eskimos, who rebounded with a 17-14 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders at home.
"When they beat Saskatchewan last week, they came out and played the type of game that we thought they could play."
While Edmonton coach Richie Hall said the Eskimos (2-6) were outplayed by the Stampeders (7-1) last time out, he added his players returned from their bye week with a better attitude.
"The last time we were here we got our butts kicked in every aspect," Hall said. "We lost the battle up front, we lost the skilled position, we lost the heart, we lost everything you can lose in a football game.
"Was that rock bottom? Yeah, that was rock bottom, but that was in the past. This is a new day. We're here as a different ball club. We're still the Edmonton Eskimos, but we're a different ball club regarding the mentality."
In an effort to build on last weekend's 48-35 road victory over the B.C. Lions, Burris said the Stampeders have worked hard to prepare for an Edmonton squad that will be out for revenge.
"They have so many talented guys both on offence and defence," said Burris, who needs just two yards to pass Dieter Brock for 10th spot on the CFL's all-time passing list past. "When they get things together out there you've got to look out for that team.
"We're going to have our hands full. Hopefully we can get the running game going and be able to mix it up with the passing game."
Calgary running back Joffrey Reynolds said the Stampeders won't be taking the Eskimos lightly.
"Guys aren't really focused on the last time we beat them," Reynolds said. "I know we scored 50 some points. You really can't translate that to the next game. They're definitely not a team that you come in and just think that hey they're going to roll over and we're going to beat them again."
In just his sixth season with the Stamps, Reynolds needs to run for just 135 yards to pass Kelvin Anderson for first place on the franchise's all-time rushing chart.
"Kelvin Anderson had so many great years here," Reynolds said. "To be mentioned along with his name is great."
Defensive lineman DeVone Claybrooks said the Calgary coaching staff has preached to the players to not take anything for granted.
"If you don't bring your 'A' game, you can get your tail beat," Claybrooks said. "We know that and our coaches will not let us forget that. If you're in that meeting room, it sounds like we're 0-7 because they just want us to keep that edge."
Edmonton linebacker Maurice Lloyd said the Eskimos have done their best to put the previous loss to Calgary behind them.
"They came out here and they handed it to us and it was a reality check," said Lloyd, who's confident the Eskimos can not only beat Calgary on Labour Day but also in the rematch four nights later at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. "This game will give us motivation towards our season as we go forward."
If the Eskimos play with the same energy and enthusiasm they showed against the 'Riders, receiver Kelly Campbell said there's no reason why they can't beat the Stamps.
"It's definitely redemption time," Campbell said. "We can't wait to get back in this place. It's important for us to just come out here and try to have less mental mistakes, less errors and just get out there and play football and have fun doing it."
While the Eskimos said they've put in the proper preparation to turn things around against the Stamps, Calgary coach and general manager John Hufnagel is also confident his squad has done what it takes to keep the upper hand.
"I've enjoyed the way the guys have prepared themselves this week for this football game," Hufnagel said. "We're ready to play. We know what type of game it's going to be."