Scott Cruikshank
The Calgary Herald

The practice was short, the morning crisp. And the new guys? Very eager.

With Monday representing the first day of the Canadian Football League's annual practice-roster expansion -- from seven players to 12 -- the Calgary Stampeders had five fresh faces in town for a look-see.

All gung-ho.

And one of the guys on the field put on a riveting show -- catching everything, running like mad, hopping around.

This hungry wannabe was, let's see here, No. 80 -- a lanky dude named Jeremaine Copeland.

Oh.

The suddenly reinvigorated veteran -- stoked mightily by his snappy performance Friday at Edmonton -- had been zipping all over the McMahon Stadium turf. There was a spring in his step, an undeniable glee.

"Truthfully, I do feel a little bit better," says Copeland, smiling before participating in the fourth annual Stampeders/Forzani Foundation golf tournament Monday at the Bearspaw Country Club.

"I've got that one foot in the door and I think it's ready to go. Without question, it's always a plus to go out and have a nice game, to contribute in a major way.

"It felt good to me."

Before erupting against the Esks for four catches and 92 yards -- and one touchdown, and one crucial short-kickoff-defusing touch -- he'd been burdened by statistics that were decidedly uncharacteristic.

In the season's first half, 24 catches, 324 yards, two touchdowns.

This, after a 2007 campaign in which he pulled down 67 balls, amassed 1,110 yards, and registered 10 majors.

"But I never doubted myself, actually," says Copeland. "Of course, I knew that I wanted my numbers to improve, but I didn't think that it was going to be a bad year. I just had a slow start and (thought) all my blessings were going to come in the second half.

"I think you'll notice a major turnaround these next eight games."

Which continues Friday against Copeland's former employers, the Montreal Alouettes.

Asked if his flashy night in Edmonton may have served notice to the rest of the league that he's back in all-star form, he laughs.

"I don't know," the 31-year-old chuckles. "I'll let them overlook me all they want. We'll see what happens."

The Eskimos discovered the danger of that.

Preoccupied by Ken-Yon Rambo, the league's leading receiver, and sore-ribbed Nik Lewis, the hosts gave Copeland (and Ryan Thelwell) some juicy seams. They paid dearly for it.

"It was a nice game for Jeremaine," says Stamps boss John Hufnagel. "He did make some clutch catches. I think it was a game that he much needed for himself."

Explaining the breakout, however, may not be as simple. Patience, according to the man, was key.

"I figured that my time would come sooner or later," says Copeland. "It's a matter of getting a little more opportunity, a chance to go downfield. Truthfully, I don't think I've had a chance to go downfield much this year. That's something that was changed up going into the second half (of the season). And I just happened to go out there and make some big plays. It's what the team needed.

"I said, 'In the second half, it's going to be my time.' "

(Indeed, in his recent blog on www.stampeders.com, Copeland writes: "In this offence, you have to capitalize on every opportunity you get because with the number of playmakers we have, it could be a while before you get another opportunity. I think at times people can forget just how deep we are and how many weapons we have. We're just beginning the second half of the season now and I'm sure this won't be the last time you hear my name.")

Quarterback Henry Burris, meanwhile, has cooked up his own theory about Copeland's resurgence -- the chap's marriage on Aug. 30.

"It was the wedding," cracks Burris. "I guess it was a good-luck charm."

But Burris does realize that his tall target out of Tennessee had not been happy during the very dry summer months. A dropped pass here or there. A forgotten man at times. (After all, even after his meaty night up north, there are still 19 receivers with more yards than Copeland.)

"I knew he was frustrated," says Burris. "Any time you're used to making many big plays . . . a guy like Copeland, he's so prideful in what he does, he puts so much passion into making himself better, that we knew he was getting frustrated.

"We told him, 'Hey, the first half is over. Let's make sure we get it going in the second half.' And it started off in great fashion. The guy makes plays. He probably has the biggest box, when it comes to catching, of any receiver I've met. Pretty much, I just put it in an area so he can make a play -- and he did just that. Now you're going to see a lot more of that from him."

Copeland agrees.

His trademark has always been outjumping the defenders, outmanoeuvring the ballhawks -- basically, winning the ball.

"I've got a good connection with Hank," says the six-foot-two, 210-pounder. "Hank is just letting me go make the plays now, pretty much, 'Just put it in the area where he can get his hands on the ball and let him make the play.' If I don't make it, I blame it on myself."

Lewis, for one, claims he never worried about his chum. "He's still probably our leader as receivers," says Lewis. "When the ball's in the air, I know he's going to make the play."

Courtesy of: www.calgaryherald.com