Messam closing in on season’s rushing crown
Star of the week has a 270-yard lead heading into battle with Montreal
Too bad Jerome Messam doesn’t get to play his hometown Argos more often.
He’d probably already be in the Hall of Fame.
The Calgary Stampeders running back was named one of the CFL’s three stars of the week on Tuesday after he trampled all over the Argos for 111 yards on just 10 carries on Friday night at McMahon Stadium.
“It feels good to be recognized for your hard work,” Messam said of his third weekly award of the season.
The 31-year-old rumbled for 244 yards in two meetings with the Argonauts this season.
That’s a good chunk of the careerbest 1,162 yards he ran for this season.
His efficient-if-not-busy night all but wrapped up the CFL rushing crown.
He has a 270-yard lead on second-place Argos running back Brandon Whitaker.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers back Andrew Harris sits 346 yards back but he has two games left to play.
The 6-foot-3, 254-pounder thanked Stamps GM John Hufnagel for bringing him aboard.
“It would feel good to get my first (rushing title),” Messam said. “Especially this late in my career, to show that I still got it.
“It’s a blessing to still be doing it and playing at a high level.
“I’m thankful to Huf for bringing me in and giving me the opportunity to still be doing this.”
Messam also recognized his everchanging offensive line for paving the road in front of him. “They’re awesome,” he said. “All the guys who have played this year — I think we’ve had eight guys rotate throughout the season — they all got the job done.
“They’re big guys that can move, they all use their hands well.
“They make my job easy and they keep Bo upright. I think they’ve given up the least amount of sacks this year.”
Messam has drawn motivation from various sources and has dedicated this season to slain teammate Mylan Hicks.
On Tuesday he mocked a Saskatchewan-based reporter for a pre-season prediction that had Messam finishing eighth on the league rushing charts with 750 yards.
“I’ve always been confident,” Messam said. “I always knew if I got an opportunity and was healthy, I’d be able to play at a high level.”
Messam will add to his totals on Sunday in Montreal against the Alouettes (11 a.m., TSN/News Talk 770).
Just how much might not be up to him.
Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson doesn’t sound too interested in letting Messam work more than he did last week.
“Jerome will be on the roster and playing,” Dickenson said.
“It’ll be whether or not he gets a full workload.
“We really haven’t given him a full workload the last two weeks.
“But we’ll try to get him some touches and keep him rolling.”
If he had his choice, Messam said he’d prefer to handle this game the same way as the other 17 on the schedule.
“I’m preparing like I’m going to go in and play the whole game,” Messam said.
“We’re going to have a little bit of a break after this game so I think it’s good for guys to keep playing.
“And we want to win this game, too. We’re not taking it lightly. We’re chasing history.
“So I’m sure as the game goes along, Dicky will gauge the score and make decisions.”
Helping his team set a record by going 16-1-1 is a goal at the top of his list.
“It means a lot to be able to say that we were part of one of the best teams ever,” Messam said.
“It shows the (high) calibre of guys that we brought in and how we’ve gelled together over the season.
“But it’s Grey Cup or bust for us.”
Injured left guard Shane Bergman was back on the field on Tuesday.
Dickenson is hopeful Bergman can return to the lineup in Montreal.
“It looks encouraging for Shane,” Dickenson said. “You never know when you start getting contact, but it looks good for him.”
Much like linebacker Joe Burnett and slotback Marquay McDaniel, other players will get a rest this weekend but Dickenson wasn’t ready to point fingers.
“I’m not going to give you the scoop yet,” Dickenson said. “I want everyone to be out here practising and make themselves available.
“You don’t know, during the week of practice, what’s going to happen.”
STAMPS FANS FEED FOOD BANK
Stamps fans donated 72,391 pounds of food for Friday’s Purolator Tackle Hunger food drive.
That’s about 4,000 pounds more than last year and raises Calgary’s total since 2003 to 980,764 pounds.