Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca
CALGARY — Whatever it brings, Bakari Grant is excited for a fresh start.
One of the off-season’s less-talked about free agent signings, Grant took his talents west to join Head Coach Dave Dickenson and quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell in Calgary – a change of scenery the sixth-year receiver is looking forward to.
“When you’re on a team for a long time you kind of get fit into a role or you play a position, and when you’re on a new team you don’t know what you’re doing,” Grant said in an interview with Stampeders.com.
“So I’m just excited to come in and bring the talents I have and see how they can help the team.”
As uncertain as his role may be, the 28-year-old ought to know it’ll be a pivotal one for the Stamps this season. The UC Davis graduate has shown glimpses of elite play at the receiver position, averaging 605 receiving yards per season with 16 touchdowns over five years.
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But after battling for looks on a Hamilton offence that featured Luke Tasker, Terrell Sinkfield, Andy Fantuz and Terrence Toliver (among others) while also looking to incorporate Brandon Banks, Grant now joins an offence that’ll be missing the services of the departed Eric Rogers and Jeff Fuller.
Grant said this week that he isn’t looking to replace anyone – “It would be hard to fill anyone’s shoes, whether they’re retiring or leaving,” he said – but the reality is he was brought in to fill a void.
Last year Rogers led the CFL with 1,448 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in his first career professional season. He joined the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers in the off-season, leaving Mitchell without his top weapon on offence.
Teamed up with the also-departed Fuller, the duo combined for 2,067 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2015. In short, it’s a lot of production to replace.
Grant has the skill-set to be a number one receiver if involved and healthy, but he’s more focused on how his experience and leadership can help a Calgary receiving corps that on top of the veteran McDaniel also includes youngsters Lamar Durant and Kamar Jorden – both expected to contribute more in 2016.
“Just knowledge of the game,” Grant answered, asked what he’ll bring to his new club. “I’ve been in the CFL going on my sixth year now. I’m a very professional player.
“I think some of the young guys in the game need to understand this is a profession – that it’s a career and how to approach it.”
BY THE NUMBERS: CURRENT STAMPEDERS RECEIVERS
| NAME | AGE | YRS EXP | REC | YDS | TD |
| Marquay McDaniel | 31 | 7 | 406 | 5,367 | 29 |
| Bakari Grant | 28 | 5 | 242 | 3,027 | 16 |
| Joe West | 32 | 4 | 102 | 1,494 | 8 |
| Anthony Parker | 26 | 4 | 91 | 1,109 | 8 |
| Simon Charbonneau-Campeau | 27 | 4 | 25 | 382 | 1 |
| Greg Wilson | 25 | 1 | 20 | 191 | 1 |
| Lemar Durant | 23 | 1 | 12 | 170 | 3 |
| Kamar Jorden | 26 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 0 |
| Skye Dawson | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Then of course there are the things Grant became known for in Hamilton, where he’s also played with current Stamps receivers McDaniel and Simon Charbonneau-Campeau.
“I bring a lot of energy,” said Grant. “I’m an emotional player, I play with a lot of heart.
“I like to block, I like to hit and I like to catch touchdowns. I think I’ll bring that energy.”
Whatever his role and production in Calgary’s offence, don’t underestimate the character Grant brings to the Stampeders. He’s a familiar face to many on the roster, including defensive back Brandon Smith who he trains with in Oakland, and he played on a team that made back-to-back Grey Cup appearances.
He was one of the quieter signings this off-season but when push comes to shove, the success of Calgary’s offence could hinge a lot on how Grant contributes in 2016.
– With files from Stampeders.com
