Grey Cup victory could close book on core group of close-knit Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders treated Sunday’s Grey Cup like it was the end of an era.
If it was, they went out on top with a 27-16 win and got their hands on the Grey Cup trophy for the first time since 2014.
Next year, many members of the Stampeders’ core leadership group could be gone.
Bo Levi Mitchell, the MVP of Sunday’s game, admitted he’ll explore his options in free agency.
He likely won’t be alone and that added an extra something special to their tilt with the Ottawa Redblacks Sunday as they all realized it might not only be their last chance at winning a Grey Cup together, it could also be the last time many of the Stamps who have played side by side for the last three years are on the field together.
“We talked about it a lot, not just tonight, but the entire year,” said Mitchell. “Our pre-game speech had a part of that in there. Just talking to guys, that we knew this locker-room was not going to look the same next year.
“Not only is there NFL for some guys, there’s two other leagues coming out that pay American money and that’s tough. It’s just the truth and the reality of it. We’ll see what happens. I know a lot of guys want to be back here and they want to build on this.”
While there was a lot of turnover between the teams that lost in the 2016 and ’17 Grey Cups and the one that took the field in Edmonton Sunday, the core remained largely the same.
The likes of Mitchell, Micah Johnson and Alex Singleton were all together for the last couple of years and it’s worth wondering what options will present themselves to each this off-season.
Brandon Smith, too, might consider retirement after a career that began in 2008, while Eric Rogers may have had enough of playing through the knee pain that has hampered him for the last couple of years.
If Sunday was their last game in Stampeders colours, they put in a performance that will guarantee they’ll be talked about for years in pubs around Calgary and tailgate parties at McMahon Stadium.
After the game, Mitchell explained what his plans were.
“I’ve let my agent handle it,” Mitchell said. “Obviously, I’m waiting to find out what happens with the CBA; until then I will explore my options and find out. I want to sit down and have a talk with (Stamps president/GM John Hufnagel), have a talk with (head coach Dave Dickenson), see how they’re feeling about things and the future they see with this team.
“I love being here. I’m not a complacent guy, I’m not going to stay here just because I’m comfortable. I’ve put a lot of work in with this team and the legacy with this league, I want to continue to build that. For family and everything, if something else arises, it would be hard not to test it, but I think I have time with that based on the CBA.”
The Stampeders defence was its usual dominant self against the Redblacks.
The offence fought through tough field conditions and came up with the big plays the Stamps needed to win.
Arguably, however, the two biggest plays came on special teams.
That might be unusual, but it’s hard to argue against.
Late in the first half, the Redblacks seemed to be gaining momentum, but punted the ball down the field as the clock wound down.
It was fielded by Stamps returner Terry Williams, who stumbled for a second and then took off downfield.
Ninety-seven yards later, he was in the end zone and had officially scored the longest punt return touchdown in Grey Cup history.
“As soon as I caught my balance and saw it wide open, I thought ‘I’ve gotta hit it,’ and coach (Mark) Kilam said, ‘You’re the fastest person, act like it and just run,’” Williams said. “That’s what I did, I just ran.”
Early in the fourth quarter, though, Stamps linebacker Riley Jones might have made a play that was just as impactful.
After Rob Maver punted the ball downfield, it was taken by the Redblacks’ Diontae Spencer, who beat a couple tacklers and looked to have an open route to the end zone if he’d been able to get around Jones.
Instead, Jones got his hands on Spencer and knocked the ball to the turf as he took him down. Wynton McManis recovered for the Stamps and a touchdownsaving tackle led to a Rene Paredes field goal shortly thereafter.
“That was the biggest play of the game,” Kilam said. “Riley Jones. Biggest play of the game.”
Kilam wasn’t alone in thinking that.
“To me, the play of the game was Riley Jones,” Mitchell said. “Diontae Spencer is so dangerous when he gets on the field on punt return. He made a couple of guys miss and with this footing, guys aren’t about to stick their foot in the ground and go catch Diontae and cut him off. It was one-on-one, Diontae versus Riley, and if he breaks that tackle or gets around Riley, that’s a touchdown and it’s a completely different game. Riley Jones not only tackled him, but got the ball out and gave us a chance to get three points.
“To me, that play by Riley Jones won the game.”