In 1999, Danny McManus and Darren Flutie led the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to their first championship in 13 years, as they beat Dave Dickenson, Allen Pitts and the Calgary Stampeders 32-21 at BC Place Stadium — the same venue the 102nd Grey Cup will take place Sunday.
In that game, as the Stampeders attempted to mount a fourth-quarter comeback, Dickenson was intercepted by a young Orlondo Steinauer. Fifteen years later, Dickenson, now Calgary’s offensive co-oordinator, is looking for redemption against Steinauer, Hamilton’s current defensive co-oordinator.
In addition to the Dickenson vs. Steinauer dynamic, there are a number of interesting positional battles to keep an eye on.
Although their 2014 records weren’t close — Calgary was 15-3 compared to the 9-9 Ticats — both teams were equally impressive late in the season.
With that in mind, here’s who should have the edge in different aspects of the game at the 102nd Grey Cup.
Quarterbacks
Neither defence was particularly strong at stopping the pass game this season, so both Zach Collaros and Bo Levi Mitchell could be poised for big games.
When Collaros returned from an early-season concussion, the Ticats began playing with a confidence that just isn’t there when anyone else is under centre. Collaros doesn’t need to put up dynamic numbers to take control of a game. His 91.9 QB rating quantifies how efficient he can be and his play has helped the Ticats win eight of their last 10 games.
Mitchell could do no wrong last week in the West Final against the Eskimos, throwing four touchdown passes and no interceptions. He had an impressive 22/8 TD/INT ratio in the regular season, but he struggled in two appearances against Ticats this year even though his team won both games; Collaros didn’t play against Calgary this season.
These two pivots have the potential to be stars in this league for the next decade, so fans should be in for a treat watching them go back and forth.
Who has the edge? Stampeders by a hair.
Running Backs
Although Nic Grigsby has fit in nicely with Tommy Condell’s offence since joining the Ticats last month, the running back matchup isn’t even close.
Jon Cornish is the best offensive weapon in the CFL when he’s healthy. Cornish, who earned his third consecutive Most Outstanding Canadian Award Friday, led the league with 1,082 rushing yards despite missing half the season due to various injuries. His absurd 7.8 yards per carry will be tested, though, because the Ticats have the best run defence in the CFL. The outcome of this game could very well come down to this matchup.
Who has the edge? Stampeders
Receivers
While neither team had a 1,000-yard receiver, both sides have solid options to throw to. The Stampeders have more big-play threats, but the Ticat receiving corps is comprised of sure-handed players who have come on strong late in the season.
Marquay McDaniel is the Stamps’ top target and Mitchell should look to him often, but they also have a handful of boom-or-bust types. Veteran Nik Lewis wants to go out a hero just like Geroy Simon did in the 101st Grey Cup, deep threat Maurice Price is as motivated as ever after being a healthy scratch in the West Final and rookie Eric Rogers has looked great in the last few games.
Outside of McDaniel, and reliable target Anthony Parker, the Stamps receivers are a bit of a gamble. On the flipside, Collaros has been able to consistently rely on Luke Tasker, Brandon Banks, Bakari Grant and Sam Giguere in recent weeks. Also, the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian from 2010, Andy Fantuz, will return from a hamstring injury, which is a bonus.
Who has the edge? Ticats
Offensive line
Led by the CFL’s 2014 Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, Brett Jones, the Stampeders have been at the head of the class on the O-line all season. They only allowed 26 sacks and had the No. 1 run attack with 136.3 rushing yards per game. The Ticats on the other hand allowed a whopping 65 sacks and only averaged 86.4 rushing yards per game ranking seventh in the league.
Who has the edge? Stampeders
Defensive line/linebackers
Led by Charleston Hughes, Deron Mayo and Juwan Simpson, the Stampeders could give Collaros and Grigsby fits at the line of scrimmage and in the backfield. The Stamps had 50 sacks and ranked third in run defence; the Ticats also had 50 sacks this season, but were better at stopping the run, allowing a CFL low 72.7 rushing yards per game — much of the credit goes to Eric Norwood, Ted Laurent and the D-line. Simoni Lawrence was a beast all season and that shouldn’t change Sunday.
Who has the edge? Ticats
Defensive backs
East Division all-stars Delvin Breaux, Rico Murray and Canadian Craig Butler lead the way for the Ticats, while West Division all-stars Brandon Smith, Fred Bennett and Jamar Wall star for Calgary. Both secondaries are capable of making the clutch plays, but the Stamps are a more cohesive unit and are a slightly more disciplined group.
Who has the edge? Stampeders
Special teams
While the always enthusiastic Mark Kilam of the Stampeders is one of the best special teams coaches in the league, he and his group might be in for a rough ride Sunday. Brandon Banks was a man possessed for the Ticats in the East Final, racking up 226 punt return yards and two touchdowns to lead his team to a victory. It will be difficult for the Stamps to contain Banks, but they’ll have to if they want to put an exclamation mark on the 2014 season.
The kicking game also favours the Ticats with Justin Medlock being basically automatic and Rene Paredes only operating at 73.3 percent for the Stamps just one year removed from being named the league’s top special teams player.
Who has the edge? Ticats