Dave Dickenson dives into CFL Free Agency as his first year as GM of the Stampeders

Dave Dickenson’s 20th year with the Calgary Stampeders organization is his first contract for players to sign.

When John Hufnagel handed over the reins of general manager to his head coach in December after 15 years in office, Dickenson began preparations for his first foray into CFL free agency, which opens Feb. 14.

“I have a good role model to follow,” Dickenson said Tuesday at McMahon Stadium. “I probably didn’t put in that many hours in January and February, but it was fun.”

The 50-year-old from Great Falls, Montana, was Calgary quarterback from 1997-2000 and played his final CFL season with the Stampeders in 2008 before joining the team’s coaching staff the following year.

Dickenson took over as head coach from Hufnagel in 2016 after having been his apprentice for seven years. Hufnagel continued with the succession plan as Dickenson added GM to his job.

Hufnagel, 71, remains with the Stampeders as president and talent assessment advisor.

Dickenson and assistant general manager Brendan Mahoney have been scrambling to re-sign as many players as possible under a $5.51 million salary cap before the gong rings to open the free agent market next week.

“Once you step into the free market and free agency, it’s kind of free-for-all and exciting, yes, but it’s ultimately a little bit less sleep,” Dickenson said.

Offensive lineman Derek Dennis, receiver Reggie Begelton, defenseman Jonathan Moxey, linebacker Cameron Judge and all-star kicker René Paredes were among the dozen players who chose to re-sign with the Stampeders rather than test the market.

Dickenson also brought former Stampeder defenseman James Vaughters back to the group after his three-year NFL stint.

But linebacker Jameer Thurman, All-Star offensive lineman Shawn Lemon and longtime Stampeder receiver Kamar Jorden were still among potential free agents Tuesday.

“You kind of feel like you have a sense of numbers and where the guys fit in, and you know what the rest of the league might be thinking, and then sometimes some big numbers come out,” noted Dickenson. “You’re like, ‘Wow, that throws off our negotiating position or where we currently stand with our team.’

“And then there’s a surprise on the other end. ‘I thought he’d get more. Okay, maybe we can find a player in this area to help our team. I really wasn’t privy to such things before. Now I actually see the numbers and talk to the agents.”

While Calgary can avoid frantic quarterback bids with Jake Maier signed until 2024, there are other gaps at Stampeder to fill.

Dickenson, who coached Calgary to a 12-6 record in 2022, doesn’t think he’s necessarily lost a player to freehand if he can’t sign him before February 14.

“We also said to some of the guys, ‘Hey, we can’t really give you what we think you deserve, doesn’t fit our structure, go to free agency, see what’s out there. If you get a lot, go for it. If it’s something you don’t like or don’t want, reach out to us and see if it’s a fit for our team.’

“It’s awkward, especially with the vets. The guys that gave you so much and so much blood, sweat and tears and then to say hey look somewhere else and if you don’t like what you get come back, that’s just hard for me, really looking, looking a guy in the eye and saying that, even though that’s the truth. Ultimately, I think they respect it, but it’s still tough.”

There will be competition for 34-year-old defenseman Lemon, who was nominated for the CFL Defensive Player of the Year by the West Division last season.

“He really played for a cheap deal last year and understands he deserves a raise and now we have to see where we are,” Dickenson said.

“Once again, it’s one of those veterans. make it difficult I don’t know what he’s being offered, but he should be a guy who eventually gets a raise, and I think he deserves it.”

Canada receiver Richie Sindani, who is serving a two-game suspension for a drug offense, is on his way to the free hand, Dickenson said.

The Calgary GM was confident global player Cody Grace would return to Calgary after training for NFL teams.

Judge’s two-year extension was crucial for Dickenson because he’s “growing into that role as a shutdown guy.”

Meanwhile, Dickenson’s off-season work continues to build a championship team before he can oversee work on the field at training camp.

“All of our players know where they stand,” says the coach and GM. “I’m comfortable with that.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve encountered free hand as a player, but I’ve always felt that as long as you know where you stand and can make an informed decision, that’s the way it should be.”

Source: www.theglobeandmail.com