Dynamic CFL running back returns to McMahon Stadium with Argonauts, expecting ‘hard-pounding game’
Ka’Deem Carey rarely shies away from making bold predictions.
But in his return to McMahon Stadium just months after parting ways with the Calgary Stampeders, the electric running back has elected to keep a lower profile on forecasting his own successes come this long-weekend tilt with the Toronto Argonauts …
Although he is sure of a few things.
“From the last time I looked, they don’t fill up this place,” said Carey, of the CFL franchise he called home for five years.
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“But I love my fans — I’m going to get my hugs and sign my autographs,” continued Carey, of those holdovers in The Stampede City still stinging from the off-season decisions that saw him and the Stampeders mutually part ways. “But they definitely ain’t going to have no poster or no ‘We love you, Ka’Deem, good-bye sign on the big board.’ So it is what it is.”
What it is Sunday evening (5 p.m., TSN, QR Calgary) is Ka’Deem — not Jason — and the Argonauts (4-3) battling his former team, the host Stampeders (3-4), in the first leg of a home-and-home set, with the games coming just four days apart.
Of course, Carey’s had this contest circled on his calendar — he admitted that Saturday — after a half-decade of being the star ball-hauler but being oft-injured in Red and White.
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Carey described his departure as a mutual break-up, saying, “We knew we had to both go our separate ways. We both were better off this way, and I can’t wait to take it out on them.
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“I’m not surprised (I’m with the Argos),” he continued. “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. The colours, the team, the city … I’m excited. I’ve got new life here.”
The Stamps believed they’d find new life with Dedrick Mills heading the running-back room, forging ahead without Carey, who rolled up 3,346 rushing yards and 877 more catching the ball in 51 games with the Horsemen.
And Mills has been solid through Week 8 of the 2024 CFL schedule, with 406 yards along the ground. Only three other league running backs have counted more, including Carey with 491, but Mills does have 89 more receiving yards than his former backfield mate.
Unfortunately for the Stamps, Mills won’t play in Sunday’s affair, as he’s left the club indefinitely for personal reasons.
He’s stepping away from the team at the moment to take care of some stuff,” said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. “Not ideal, but as a team, we’ve got to move forward.
“It’s tough, but I mean everybody wants to play,” continued Dickenson. “Everybody’s excited for their opportunity. A little bit unforeseen, sure. We’ll try to help him and see where life takes him. Other than that, probably best to try to just keep it at that.”
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At the same time, Dickenson’s charges will be trying to keep the 31-year-old Carey at bay, since he’s become a massive offensive weapon for the Argos in his short time with them.
“Coach (Ryan Dinwiddie) knows what he’s doing here, man,” Carey said. “Me being a healthy me, I knew what I can always do. I’m excited to go out there and show everybody what I can do.
“I predict a hard-fought game — a hard-pounding game,” continued the 5-foot-9, 206 lb. native of Tucson, Ariz. “They’re going to come out physical on defence. (Cam) Judge is going to talk a lot of trash. (Mike) Rose is going to be Rose.
“So it’s going to be a good game.”
His former mates know it.
“Ka’Deem’s a helluva player — we know what time he’s on,” said Stamps defensive back Kobe Williams. “He’s trying to come in here and light up the stadium up, but we can’t let him do that.”
“I’ve seen him this year the way he runs on film — it says loud things in my head,” added Stamps all-star linebacker Micah Awe. “So to me, I gotta get ready. I mean … I’ve seen what he’s done to a couple of linebackers already. So to me, it’s gonna be a battle, for sure.
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“I’ve played against some great running backs — Leonard Fournette, Joe Mixon, Aaron Jones … so many guys. And you know, Ka’Deem is just as good as them, if not better.”
SHORT YARDAGE
With the release of starting DB Rodney Randle Jr. earlier this week, the Stamps have turned to DB Kenyon Reed to start at the field-side halfback spot. “He’s been here since camp, and I like what he’s been doing,” said Dickenson, of the CFL rookie. “Big challenge — Toronto’s got big receivers, and they’re skilled. He can cover. He can tackle. He just needs to play. He needs experience.” … WR Clark Barnes (shoulder) returns to the lineup after sitting out the Week 8 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks. So does OL D’Antne Demery (toe) after being sidelined for a couple of games. And LB Darius Williams (calf/personal) makes his first appearance in the lineup of the season … Others making their way into the Stamps lineup are DL Kelon Thomas (back), WR Ishmael Hyman and DL Justin Sambu, while Mills, WR Rysen John, OL Zack Williams (calf), OL Eric Smith, DL Charles Wiley and DB Ben Labrosse (ankle) come out.
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