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“One thing I think we do as a defence and our coaching staff is find guys that fit the system we play,” Wall said. “We have a lot more young guys. Last year was more vet-dominant and this year it’s the opposite, but they look for a specific type of guy and I think we do a very good job of doing that and that’s why we’ve been successful.

“You’ve got guys who want to listen, so it’s easier. You know the old dogs and new tricks thing. It works for us when you have guys who want to learn and do better.”

Speak with the new guys, and they’ll all say that they’ve used Smith and Wall as resources as they try to adapt to the Canadian game.

The two vets downplay that, though, and instead give credit to their younger teammates for investing in the learning that’s needed to adapt to playing in the CFL for Americans.

“Everybody’s learning, everybody’s buying into the system,” Smith said. “It’s a good culture in there. It’s a new room. We have two ‘vet-vets’, but then returning guys with Amos and Tre coming back. They’re vets, but they’re not ‘vet-vets’ yet. One year in and still a lot of learning to do.

“I remember my second year, I still had a lot of learning to do. The game slows down a bit, but it’s still fairly new. You still haven’t seen everything. Having those guys bonding and gelling and coming in with the same personality we like to have in the secondary (has been great). This is a tough job as it is, so you want to have fun with your peers while you can.”

The numbers sure suggest that the infusion of youth hasn’t hurt the Stamps. They’re currently leading the CFL in interceptions and are allowing the second-least passing yards per game.