Jocktalk: Record Season Must End with Championship!

The Newsy Neighbour Magazine

November Issue 109

www.thenewsyneighbour.com

by Jock Wilson with JockTalk

The fans know it! More importantly, the players, the coaches and the organization knows it.

The regular season magic means absolutely nothing unless the Calgary Stampeders win the West Final on November 20th at McMahon stadium, then roll into BMO Field in Toronto and host the 104th Grey Cup Championship.

"Who wants to be known as the best regular season team in history that didn't win a championship?" asks veteran DB Jamar Wall. "We know what's at stake and we believe it, we believe in ourselves. We believe nobody in this league can beat us, we can only beat ourselves."

It's hard to imagine that the 2016 CFL season would be considered a failure for the Stampeders, but facts are facts! If you don't win your last game of the season, the team will not be remembered for a perfect home record, or record winning and undefeated streaks.

The Stamps won 14 regular season games in 2015 but they lost to the Eskimos in the West Final and nobody was patting themselves on the back. 

Remember the 90ies? For three consecutive years, the football club racked up 15 win seasons. In 1993, they lost to the Eskimos in the West Final. In 1994, they lost to the Lions (by a single point) in the West Final. In 1995, they made it to the Grey Cup but were beaten by the Baltimore Stallions. 

Does this mean the Stampeders have huge pressure on their shoulders? The obvious answer is yes, but don't tell that to Wall.

"We have had to deal with adversity all season long," says the 5 year veteran out of Texas Tech. "We've had injuries, we've lost family, we've surprised a lot of people and there is just something special happening with this team."

You won't get any arguments from the head coach.

"I like our team, I think our quarterback is the MOP, but this is a tough league to win in." says Dave Dickenson. "We might make it look easy at times, but it's not. We know what we have to do and I feel good about our plan and our preparation. It doesn't matter who we meet in the West Final because it will be a tough game."

The regular season is now over and the Stampeders are in rest and wait mode. Is a three week layoff between games too long? Maybe, but the rest couldn't come at a better time for a team that is mentally and physically exhausted. The issue is the rust.

"It'll be tougher for the offense," explains Dickenson. "The offensive guys need repetition, not so much on defence. We are going to give the team nine days off, then we will get together for a couple of days and watch the West Semi Final together. Once we know our opponent, we will get together one day earlier than normal and start our final preparation."

"It's not an exact science," admits the coach. "If you know one please let me know?"

While this may not be your typical bye week for the Stampeders, you could say history is on their side. The Stamps have not lost coming off a bye week since 2005. They have reeled off 13 straight wins. 

"I’m sure if you look, honestly, across most organizations, they’ve got pretty damn good records coming off the bye — and it should be," says Stamps QB Bo Levi Mitchell. "Coaches have more time to prepare, the other team gets beat up for a week, and then you’ve got guys on our team healing."

Let's hope history repeats itself!

CFL Awards!

Just how dominate have the Calgary Stampeders been this season? The Outstanding Player awards will be handed out in Toronto during Grey Cup week. It won't be a Stampeder sweep but it should be darn close.

The Most Outstanding Player Award are selected by a panel of voters that includes representation from the Football Reporters of Canada from all CFL markets, the national chapter of FRC voters and head coaches of the CFL. In total, 75 voters completed their ballots. There were no unanimous winners last season. Shame on the voters if Bo Levi Mitchell is not unanimous this season. 

While Winnipeg's Mike O'Shea and Wally Bouno in Vancouver will get consideration for coach of the year honours, no coach has done a better job in the league this year than Dave Dickenson.

Running back Jerome Messam was the CFL's leading rusher this season (his first ever rushing title) and he should be the league's Outstanding Canadian. 

As for the other Stampeder nominees, it was a challenge just to single out one team representative. 

Derek Dennis or Spencer Wilson as Outstanding Offensive Lineman? The O-line was decimated with injuries this season and they still managed to give up the least number of sacks in the league and create holes for the CFL's leading rusher. 

Charleston Hughes or Deron Mayo as Outstanding Defensive Player? It's too bad Mayo got hurt late in the season. His leadership and athleticism will be missed in the playoffs. The Stamps likely won't win this award but as a unit, they are the best defence in the CFL.

Roy Finch or Rene Paredes on Special Teams? Move over Brandon Banks, Chris Rainey and Stefan Logan as there is a new kid in town and his name is Roy Finch. Finch has given the Stampeders a dynamic return game that has been missing for many years. 

"He reminds me of the Labour Day rabbit," says former Stampeder great Tom Forzani. "He darts left, darts right - he's so shifty and has amazing speed."

DaVaris Daniels or Alex Singleton as Rookie of the Year? Maybe there should be two awards for rookie of the year? One on offense and one of defence! This race was too close to call.

Enjoy the playoffs! Go Stamps Go.

About Jock Wilson:

Jock has been involved in the Calgary sport media scene for over 30 years. He hosts the Calgary Stampeder football broadcasts on Newstalk 770 and is the host of Sportstalk from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Email: jock@am770chqr.com

Twitter: @sportson770