Calgary Stampeders’ head coach Dave Dickenson spoke to the media on Tuesday and gave quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell a vote of confidence, confirming he will start Saturday’s game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Dickenson indicated that the club used their bye week to identify some ways in which they can help Mitchell be more successful in the latter half of the season.
“Ultimately, we’ve gotta feel comfortable with the personnel and the calls,” he said. “At times I thought he might have gotten rid of the ball a little early. Other times we’re just asking him to take what’s there. Just be consistent on how we’re going to coach it and play a good game.”
Mitchell hasn’t played up to his usual standard this year, completing 58 percent of his passes for 988 yards, two touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He was pulled from his most recent start against Hamilton with backup Jake Maier playing well in relief of the two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player.
Dickenson indicated there’s a chance star slotback Kamar Jorden will be available for Saturday’s game, though he’s still working back from a hamstring injury. Offensive lineman Ryan Sceviour is expected to return to his spot at right guard after missing three games with a broken bone in his foot.
The veteran head coach recognizes that his team is at the bottom of the West Division standings at 2-5. Six of the club’s seven remaining games are divisional contests, three of which will be played against Saskatchewan.
“We gotta get on a mini-heater. We can’t just win one then lose two,” said Dickenson. “We’ve gotta win multiple games in a row and create some momentum.”
