Stampeders.com
By Max Campbell
CALGARY — Often times, a backup quarterback refuses to wear his role as a badge of honour.
But rather than interpreting it as a personal slight, Drew Tate is just fine with once again being second-in-command to Bo Levi Mitchell, the reigning West Division finalist for Most Outstanding Player.
Always preparing as if his name will be called despite knowing full well that Mitchell is the top dog, Tate re-upped with the Stamps in January and is once again committed to doing whatever it takes to win as a team.
“That comes with being a backup quarterback,” Tate said on always lending a helping hand to Mitchell in particular. “Just being there and being that extra guy with another set of eyes. Just whatever information I can help him (with) or (quarterbacks coach) Ryan (Dinwiddie) or (head coach) Dave (Dickenson) – any of the guys, really, on offence. Like Dave said yesterday, it’s a big family, so whatever I can to do help. And just stay ready.”
The former Iowa Hawkeye with the second-most attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns in school history had a short stint with the NFL’s St. Louis Rams in 2007 which preceded two seasons in Saskatchewan.
He then inked a deal with the Red and White in 2009, and, despite making a mere 12 starts in 111 career games for Calgary, Tate has managed to find other ways to contribute on the field. He led the league with 10 rushing touchdowns in 2014 as a short-yardage sneaker and currently serves as the field-goal holder on special teams.
Asked if he feels overshadowed or underappreciated considering his undeniable contributions, Tate refused to entertain that thought. In fact, he feels more comfortable than perhaps ever before with where he sits on the depth chart.
“Well I tried the starting gig and I only lasted two games,” reminisced No. 4 with a sly sense of humour, referring to the 2012 and 2013 campaigns when he was named the go-to guy out of the gate only to then suffer early-season injuries. “So I much prefer the backup role now.”
One of only two additions to the Stamps’ coaching staff in 2016 is Dinwiddie, a former CFL signal-caller himself who has now gotten a first-hand look at the value of having Tate at his disposal.
“That comes with being a backup quarterback. Just being there and being that extra guy with another set of eyes.”
Drew Tate
“We definitely have a security blanket with Drew,” stated Dinwiddie, who spent the past three seasons as an assistant with the Alouettes. “Obviously, we feel he’s a starter in this league and he could play as a starter. Bo’s our guy but if something was to happen, we feel comfortable with Drew. He can help out these young guys and he can also help out Bo. It’s just like another coach’s mind out there.”
Tate has already begun to fly under the radar of relative outsiders in the early stages of training camp as Bryant Moniz and Andrew Buckley are entering a much talked-about battle for projected third-string duties.
“He doesn’t get the notoriety he deserves,” stressed Dinwiddie. “I know last year in Montreal when we had some injuries, he was a guy that we really liked. I think around the league in the football family and around the organizations, they really believe in him. Obviously he doesn’t get the media attention he deserves, but I think he’s OK with that.”
