December 10, 2016

Wilson’s versatility was on full display in 2016

CALGARY — On one hand, Spencer Wilson has been a very unpredictable presence in the Calgary Stampeders lineup.

Sometimes he’s the right guard. Unless he’s the right tackle. Or maybe the centre. Or perhaps the left tackle.

“I think that’s my advantage,” nods the veteran offensive lineman. “That I’m able to play multiple positions.”

That adaptability makes Wilson very predictable. Somewhere, somehow, No. 50 is going to be in there.

While the Calgary offensive line has been hammered by injuries the past few seasons — 12 different players saw duty in the trenches in 2016 alone and not once after the 11th game of the season was Calgary able to start the same five starters in back-to-back games — Wilson has been a constant. He’s suited up for every game in each of the past three years.

“Staying healthy is just something I’ve been blessed with,” shrugs the 28-year-old Calgarian. “That combination (versatility and good health) is what made it possible so I was able to play every game again this year.

“Throughout the year, I’ve battled with lots of hurts. But it’s understanding the difference between hurt and injured.”

Offensive linemen Brad Erdos, Spencer Wilson and Shane Bergman during a 2016 game at McMahon (Photo by David Moll)

Wilson says there’s no point getting worked up into a lather about the medical misfortunes of the offensive line.

“It’s just where we’re at,” he says. “It’s football. It’s a contact sport. People are going to get injured and we’ve got to battle through it. I think the coaching staff did a great job all year getting us ready to go no matter what lineup of five or six guys we had.”

Indeed, regardless of the seemingly endless combination of hoggies the Stamps have used, it’s worked. The Red and White have allowed the fewest sacks in each of the past three seasons and the Stamps produced CFL rushing champions both in 2014 (Jon Cornish) and 2016 (Jerome Messam).

Wilson credits the work of offensive line coach of Pat DelMonaco for filling in all the potholes and allowing the unit to cruise along smoothly.

“Fundamentals,” the former Calgary Colts junior replies when asked about DelMonaco’s secret. “Staying true to creating sumo-robots and being able to plug them into whatever position you need. If everyone knows the same technique and practices it, it becomes easier to fill in that spot.”

Offensive lineman Spencer Wilson and coach Pat DelMonaco on the bench during the 2016 season (Photo by David Moll)

Because of the all the moving around he’s done to replace injured colleagues, Wilson hasn’t started more than nine games at a specific offensive line position in either of the past two seasons. Still, he’s earned West Division all-star honours in both and 2015 and 2016 and later this week he has a chance to get a CFL all-star nod for the second consecutive year.

He plans to stay busy during the off-season, starting with a weekend job at the ski resort where his fiancée is employed. Wilson also does a lot of volunteer work over the winter including an appearance at the Rotary Club’s Christmas luncheon for seniors on Tuesday.

And, in the not too distant future, preparations for 2017 will be fully under way.

“The transition from this year to next year happens in the New Year,” he says. “I really won’t work out until the New Year. I’m going to let my body rest for a few weeks here. But come that first week in January, that’s when I’ll kick it off and I’ll have six weeks of training ahead of me.”

And come training camp, expect Wilson to once again take his place somewhere on the Calgary offensive line.