Ex-Bomber Houston happy in Calgary

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This article was published 28/06/2024 (481 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CALGARY – Demerio Houston has been fitting in nicely with his new CFL team and has already been up to some of his old tricks.

In two games with the Calgary Stampeders, the veteran defensive back already has one interception to his name. That’s a current pace of nine interceptions spread across an 18-game season, which is two more than the CFL-leading seven Houston had last year.

“I’m enjoying it,” Houston told the Free Press following the Stamps walkthrough at McMahon Stadium Friday. “They just let me play freely and just make plays. That’s why I signed here and to do whatever I need to do to help this team win.”

Houston was the Stampeders’ prized offseason acquisition, signing a two-year deal over the winter after spending the previous three years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The 27-year-old native of North Carolina had a breakout year with the Blue and Gold last season, adding three fumble recoveries to his league-leading interception total to give him the most takeaways in the CFL, with 10.

When the Bombers were deciding their plans for the 2024 campaign, figuring out where to spend money, Houston was one of the casualties of business. The Stampeders were all too happy to step up and give him the raise he deserved, making him the highest-paid defensive back in the league at $275,000.

“I was disappointed, but it’s part of the game, part of pro sports,” Houston said. “As a competitor, I would have loved to be on the same team my whole career. I’m just grateful that I’m still playing football, playing at a high level, and I have a team that trusts and believes in me. I just got to make the most and show them why they chose me.” Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson knows exactly why he wanted Houston on his team. Houston had two interceptions against Calgary last year, including his first and only pick-6 in the CFL, with the defensive touchdown proving a major difference in a 19-18 Bombers victory.

“He’s a winner. He’s a good ball hawk,” Dickenson said. “Every DB is going to get beat, that’s just the way it is. But when you get your hands on the ball and it’s an interception versus a knockdown, those are the plays I think kind of change you from a good player to an all-star calibre guy and that’s what he does. You can tell he’s a family guy. He plays for more than himself and that’s the things that you like and that’s why we signed him.”

Shortly after signing with Calgary, Houston received a friendly text message from Stampeders quarterback Jake Maier telling him he was welcome for those two interceptions last year. Since being his teammate, and competing against him in practice, there’s been a lot more that has impressed him about Houston.

“He’s talented and catches the ball well. He can play man-to-man. Anything you ask a CFL DB to do, Demerio can do,” Maier told the Free Press. “But my biggest thing with him is he sees the game really well, and he sees a lot of things happen before they do. A lot of times when you’re jumping routes and you’re getting pick-6s and you make it look as easy as he does, it’s all recognition. It’s pre-snap recognition, it’s alignment, it’s releases off the ball — it’s all those different things.” Houston admitted he’s looking forward to playing the Bombers and that he’s had the game circled on his calendar. What he didn’t have an answer for was why the Bombers, following four straight trips to the Grey Cup, are 0-3 to start the season.

The Bombers are beat up at receiver, including their top two options in Kenny Lawler (arm) and Dalton Schoen (knee) both out long term, meaning Houston will likely get a heavy dose of Nic Demski. While it’s been tough sledding in Winnipeg, Houston doesn’t see a team with that level of talent and leadership continuing to slide.

“They’re just having a slow start, but I’m sure they’ll pick it up,” Houston said. “It just can’t happen Saturday.”

As for the game, Houston said he’s expecting a close battle, and when asked who has the greater advantage, him or the Bombers, given how well they know one another, he said that was still to be determined. He does know, however, what a great game would look like for him.

“Oh, man. I’d say two interceptions. A pick six. Lots of tackles. Lots of pass deflections,” Houston said. “But the main goal is winning the game.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jeffkhamilton