SPRUCE GROVE — Once he finds a place to live, Kenny Stafford will be just fine.

The first-year Eskimos receiver’s main claim to fame is the fact he came here in the trade that saw long-time Eskimos receiver Fred Stamps depart for Montreal.

All Stafford wants now is a chance to make a name for himself.

“What Fred did here, Fred did here,” said Stafford. “He wrote his own story and I’m writing my own. Do I respect everything he’s done for this organization to what he’s done for receivers in this league? Absolutely.

“I’m not worried about living up to Fred Stamps. I don’t want to do that. I’m not trying to do that. Fred is Fred. Kenny Stafford is Kenny Stafford.”

In a way, coming here as strong-side running mate to Adarius Bowman is about as good as it gets for a young receiver.

“Especially with him and me being on the same side,” said Stafford. “We’re working together. They’re trying to be a 1-1, me and him. It’s dangerous in the boundary between me and him.”

Even in the short time he’s been here, Stafford has been impressed by Bowman’s immense talent.

“We’re liking it,” said Stafford. “It’s going to be an interesting year for the both of us because I’ve never had anybody as dynamic beside me. I can’t wait to learn from him. I mean, he had 1,400 yards last year. I’m pretty sure he knows one or two things about playing receiver.

“I’m excited about lining up next to him.”

The hotel next to the Fuhr Field is nice, but about that place to live …

“Bedroom, fully-furnished, downtown,” said Stafford. “Contact Kenny Stafford on twitter @kstaff07.

“Even with the trade and stuff like that, I didn’t want to look for an apartment right away. I didn’t want to get too comfortable. Once I really found out I made the team, I hit (all the websites) to find a place.

“Hopefully, I’ll find something today because Saturday is a big day for us.”

Other than that, he’s settling into his new surroundings.

“The coaching staff and Ed (GM Hervey) have made the transition pretty smooth,” said Stafford, who caught the only Esks TD in Vancouver on Saturday. “They’re making it as easy as possible for me. They’re checking on me all the time to make sure everything’s OK.

“It’s been all very smooth. They gave us a list of housing options. You’ve got to find your way. We’re all grown adults. I like it here. I like it a lot.”

BACK ON TRACK

Defensive lineman Almondo Sewell was one of several players back to the grind, after taking a breather to make sure they’d be ready for Saturday’s CFL opener.

“It’s always tough,” said Sewell, who has been away from the field for exactly two weeks and missed both pre-season games. “I came here with all intent on playing but I got a little nicked up. At the same time, I’ve got in some extra conditioning.”

Sewell spent more time in the film room than most of his teammates, trying to catch up.

“All the other guys have already seen some game reps, so I had to go back, watch extra tape and do a bit of extra running, but it’s all right.”

At least he didn’t pick up any extra bumps and bruises and should be good to go.

“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “I was hoping to be healthy sooner, but going into the regular season, these games are more important. Coach Jones told me to get my proper rehab done and get back on the field.”

Had it been regular season, Sewell would likely have made the trip to Vancouver and got in some game reps.

“I was ready last week but we had to make sure the doctors cleared it to make sure I was ready to go,” Sewell said.

GET GOING, ALREADY

After a long and hard training camp, the Eskimos were back at work after a couple of days off on Day 1 of getting ready for games that count.

And, not a moment too soon.

“Last year, we were just hoping to get 12 out there and get them lined up,” said head coach Chris Jones, who’s given his starting players plenty of time to get over their bumps and bruises. “It’s a good group and we’re looking forward to it.

“We have guys who are ‘A’ Group guys and when they’re nicked up, they’re not in there but they’re ‘A’ Group guys for a reason. When you bring back that level of experience, it helps you.”

With Ricky Ray out of the lineup for Saturday’s game against Toronto in Fort McMurray, it’s expected career backup Trevor Harris will get the start at quarterback.

“He’s been there four years,” said Jones. “Anybody that’s stuck around that long under (Argos head coach) Scott Milanovich has to have something.

“You’d better be prepared and have more than one or two plans when you’re going against Scott Milanovich and his staff.”

con.griwkowsky@sunmedia.ca