T.J. Rayam making his mark in second Calgary Stampeders training ...

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T.J. Rayam’s contributions to the Calgary Stampeders might have gone a little unnoticed in his rookie season.

You get the feeling, though, that Year 2 might be different.

A couple of days ago, Stamps GM/head coach Dave Dickenson brought up Rayam’s strong training camp when speaking with the media.

He’ll still be backing up Derek Wiggan at defensive tackle this season. But after picking up a sack in the Stamps’ first pre-season game against the Edmonton Elks last week, it sure looks like Rayam might be ready for more time in the spotlight.

And there might not be anybody who is more excited about that than Wiggan.

“It’s awesome,” the veteran defensive tackle said. “From his first practice in training camp last year to this year, you just see the growth. It reminds me of myself when I was first here when you see the growth. I want to help him be the best he can be and he’s going to push me to be the best I can be.

“You need that internal competition in the room. We have high standards and all of us want to push to accomplish our goals for the year.”

Rayam was selected in the second round of the 2022 CFL supplemental draft after a career at Boston College that saw him make 26 starts over five years. He went on to play 10 games as a Stamps rookie, recording 10 defensive tackles and two sacks.

It’s hard not to wonder what those numbers might have looked like had an ankle injury not forced Rayam to miss eight of the Stamps’ final nine games.

He was steadily improving throughout the season and adjusting to the Canadian game.

Now, though, the 25-year-old feels like he’s ready to hit the ground running in 2023.

“Definitely more comfortable in the defence,” Rayam said. “Starting to settle down and take my chances when I can, I just feel more comfortable.

“The yard (off the ball) is kinda tough to get used to, but I feel like I’ve made the adjustments.”

That seems to be the consensus around McMahon Stadium.

The coaching staff has been pleased with the progress Rayam has made and what he’s putting on tape throughout training camp. Wiggan is still going to be the Stamps’ starter, there’s no question there, but a little internal competition never hurt anyone.

Rayam, who was born in Edmonton, is the son of former Stampeders offensive lineman Thomas Rayam.

It’s definitely not a bad thing to have an improving backup Canadian defensive tackle who can make impact plays when Wiggan’s not on the field.

And that improvement is most important.

“I mean, don’t forget, a lot of these guys play in the US and o-line, d-line is a big difference because of the yard off,” Dickenson said. “I think it’s one of the biggest differences. Your timing’s different, you get more movement up here and I do feel like he has improved a lot, not only stopping the run but his pass-rush game, getting in the backfield.”

BIG NIGHT

On Thursday, the Stamps will be in Vancouver for their second and final pre-season game against the B.C. Lions.

In anticipation of the game, the Stamps have adjusted their training camp schedule so that it generally resembles what you’d see in the regular season.

There’s still a focus on learning and competition for places, though, as you’d expect.

“We’re going to try to keep it more of a regular season practice schedule,” Dickenson said. “Not kill them, but give them as much information as possible. Go out there and compete, try to earn a job, goal is still to win, so go out there and give it everything we’ve got and then obviously that’s your last audition to make our team.

“Control what you can control, go make my life miserable by making my decisions that much tougher.”

daustin@postmedia.com

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