That’s the big question as the Calgary Stampeders prepare for the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday afternoon (4:30 start??). The last time the Stamps played a team in the dumps with a new, unprove quarterback…things didn’t turn out so well. Remember Ryan Dinwiddie and his 400 yards passing?

The Argonauts have decided to go with Cody Pickett on Saturday afternoon. He’s a guy with a little more experience that Dinwiddie…Pickett has spent time in NFL Europe and in the NFL. But they come with very similar college pedigrees. Dinwiddie played at Boise State and slung the ball around like few other quarterbacks have done in college. Pickett is the greatest passer in Washington history, with almost 10 thousand career yards through the air. In fact,, he finished his career 4th in PAC 10 history for total yardage. That’s the PAC 10, not the WAC like Dinwiddie played in. But even with all those similarities, things are a little different this time around.

Last time the Stamps walked into a similar situation, the climate was completely different. It was early, and urgency for a prime playoff spot wasn’t there. Now, the Stamps are in a dogfight for 2nd in the West with Edmonton, and with 2 games remaining against Saskatchewan, are in a very good spot to perhaps grab 1st and a bye in the playoffs. It’s week 13 now, and this Stamps team knows what is at stake. With the implications looming, I don’t think we’re looking at a repeat of the debacle at CanadInns Stadium.

Add that on to the fact that Calgary’s defence is much better this time around. We were ragging on the secondary when the Stamps last played Winnipeg, but they’ve looked a whole lot better the past 4 weeks or so. Wes Lysack has turned into a force as the last line of defence, while Brandon Browner was stellar in Calgary’s win over Montreal. And remember how bad Browner looked in that game versus Winnipeg.

I didn’t think the Stamps “overlooked” the Bombers when they lost that game, nor do I think that was a “trap game”. But the comparisons are there, so it is evant enough to rehash. If the Stamps get beat in this game, it won’t be because they’re overlooking a down Toronto team.

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