Everything is right on the left side of the Calgary Stampeders offensive line. D'Antne Demery and Zack Williams, known as the 'Blind-side Brothers,' anchor the unit that was among the best in the Canadian Football League last season. Their combined weight of 629 pounds provides a heavy burden lifted from head coach Dave Dickenson's shoulders as he aims to keep quarterbacks upright and running backs productive.
Contract Extensions Bolster Line
The Stampeders secured Demery with a one-year extension through 2027 and Williams with a two-year extension through 2028, locking down two key players amid expiring contracts. 'It was our goal to try to lock down at least two of the remaining guys,' Dickenson said. 'They play well together, too. So happy to have them this year, but also, hopefully, it gears us up for the future.'
Chemistry on the Left Side
Demery, at left tackle, protects the quarterback's blind side, while Williams holds down left guard. The duo's decision to re-sign together was no coincidence. 'We just got a connection with each other,' said the 6-foot-4, 322-pound Demery. 'We built something, and we brothers now. We talked about it during the off-season, stuck to the plan, and wanted to come back here and win a Grey Cup.'
But the offensive line's success isn't just about Demery and Williams. The surprising debut of Chris Fortin at centre, the consistency of Christy Nkanu at right guard, and solid efforts at right tackle have all contributed to the unit's rise. 'We just got comfortable with each other,' Demery added. 'We started to figure it out and just started dominating. So it's just keep building this year, one day at a time.'
Offensive Linemen in Stamps Camp
- William Barnes – 26, 6'4, 336 lbs, North Carolina
- Bryce Bell – 28, 6'4, 304 lbs, Wilfrid Laurier
- Deondre Buford* – 25, 6'4, 321 lbs, Cincinnati
- D'Antne Demery – 28, 6'4, 322 lbs, Florida International
- Cameron Dye* – 23, 6'3, 311 lbs, Southern Illinois
- Chris Fortin – 26, 6'4, 307 lbs, Connecticut
- Tomas Jack-Kurdyla – 30, 6'4, 295 lbs, Buffalo
- Chris Murray* – 25, 6'2, 300 lbs, Oklahoma
- Preston Nichols – 26, 6'2, 284 lbs, Purdue
- Christy Nkanu – 27, 6'2, 325 lbs, Washington State
- Mitchel Schechinger* – 22, 6'2, 306 lbs, Guelph
- Matthew Stokman* – 24, 6'3, 340 lbs, Manitoba
- Jack Warrack* – 22, 6'5, 298 lbs, Saskatchewan
- Zack Williams – 29, 6'5, 307 lbs, Manitoba
* Rookie
