Crackin' Chestnut

New receiver's taken lumps

John Chestnut spent most of his time with the Cheyney University Wolves experiencing life as the hunted instead of the hunter.

The wide receiver's toothless team was living on a steady diet of lopsided losses, making his signing with the 2-5 Calgary Stampeders feel like like he's latched onto a dynasty.

"Oh man, yeah it was bad, they're still losing," conceded Chestnut, 24, whose last year with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference club was the 2002 season.

"I think we lost 48 straight, then we finally won one and finally broke the losing streak.

"In '99 we lost, didn't win any the next year, didn't win any the year after that.

"That was 22 straight losses, then finally my senior year we won the first two, then lost all the rest.

"Pretty bad. We'd lose in the high 60s to seven and I'd be the only one scoring a touchdown. A lot of blowouts but you have to stick with it. The love of the game is why I kept playing. I just love it."

The Div. II school had Chestnut earning his keep, too. In addition to being named the team captain and MVP in 2001, he played several positions.

"They had me doing everything -- receiver, punt returner, kick returner, punter -- just everything," said Chestnut, who could get a look in Calgary as a kick returner.

"They recruit but there's not a lot of scholarship money out there. I was there because I love the game."

The 6-ft. 1-in., 190-lb. import receiver worked out for former Stamps offensive co-ordinator John Jenkins before ending up on Calgary's neg list.

"I went to a tryout in St. Louis and worked out for John Jenkins and they put me on the neg list," said Chestnut, who also had interest this spring from the Arena League and NFL before signing with the Stamps Tuesday.

"I was just training and waiting for a call. I worked out for the Buffalo Bills a few weeks ago.

"I worked out for them and have been training ever since then.

"I'm just happy to be back out here on the field running around. Hopefully, I'll get a chance. I'm working hard, hopefully, I'm opening some eyes."

In addition to adding Chestnut to the practice roster, the Stampeders expect deep threat Albert Connell to return to the lineup Saturday in Regina after missing one game with injuries.

In addition to leading the club with 544 yards receiving, Connell has averaged more than 100 yards in both games against the Roughriders this season.

He's returning from a series of injuries including wounded elbows that had the former NFLer resort to wearing extra pads in a recent practice, leading to him being dubbed 'Robocop' by teammates.

"I think it was Scott Coe, he's crazy but that's my boy," Connell nodded after yesterday's workout.

"When I had those hockey elbow pads on, that's when they started messing with me. I was going to use them in Ottawa, then I thought it was too much. Now my elbows are busted up again because I didn't use them."

Connell deemed himself fit for Saskatchewan after missing Saturday's win over Winnipeg in which the offence continued to progress and will be aided by Connell's return.

"I feel good today, just a little soreness from being out a week but that'll work itself out," said Connell, who has also fought quad and thumb injuries this season.

"It's always exciting to play ... the new offence is great and that's why I hated to miss last week when we put it in.

"I knew last week I could make some things happen but we're going to come back with it this week and hopefully we'll be successful."

Connell was replaced last week by Ted Alford, who caught four passes for 35 yards and one touchdown.