November 22, 2017

Rookie Michel using speed, work ethic in first GC run

Fred Chartrand/CFL.ca

During the whirlwind of his first Grey Cup Week experience Marken Michel will find some time most days to call his brother.

The rookie Calgary Stampeder wide receiver and Sony Michel, a running back for the Georgia Bulldogs, will chat about “everything under the sun.”

Favourite topics are sneakers, fashion, maybe even music. The one thing they rarely, if ever, talk about is football.

“It’s just a way to kind of relax and get away from everyday life,” said Michel, who be part of the Stampeder attack when they battle the Toronto Argonauts in Sunday’s 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw. “Our lives are football.”

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The fleet-footed Michel made life difficult for a lot of secondaries during his first full CFL season. In 13 games, 11 as a starter, he made 41 catches for 780 yards and three touchdowns. His six catches for 190 yards and a touchdown against Hamilton on July 29 earned him Shaw Top Performer honours.

It also was the most yards by a Calgary receiver since Romby Bryant had a 211-yard game in 2009.

The 24-year-old from Orlando, Fla., turned enough heads to be the West’s nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie. While honoured for the consideration, Michel’s priority is to be fitted for a Grey Cup ring.

“Right now, we are getting ready to play a big game on a very big stage,” he said. “I know it’s one of those games where I have to try and relax and not let the moment get too big. Just go out there and play my game.”

At five-foot-11 and 190 pounds Michel doesn’t have the stature of Calgary receivers like Anthony Parker or DaVaris Daniels. What he lacks in size Michel compensates for with quickness and speed. He can change direction at the blink of an eye without losing a step.

“He’s quick and fast too,” said veteran Stampeder receiver Marquay McDaniel. “He can make a quick move off the line and then he will run by you too. That’s a deadly combination.”

Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is impressed with how Michel can make things look easy.

“When I started throwing balls to him in practice I realized how well he runs his routes,” said Mitchell.

Michel is one of those overnight successes that took a couple of years to happen.

He played his college football at the University of Massachusetts where he made 92 catches for 1,016 yards and six touchdowns over four years.
Passed over in the 2016 NFL draft, Michel signed with the Minnesota Vikings but was released on the end of training camp. He signed with the Stampeders in October and spent two and half week on the practice roster.

Unlike some American players, Michel was aware of the differences in the Canadian game.

“I knew quite a bit about it,” he said. “I have a lot of older guys I’m friends with and work out with that played for teams in the CFL.

“I didn’t know all the in’s and out’s and details, but I had a little bit of an understanding of what the CFL was.”

Michel returned to the Stampeders in May but didn’t get a chance to play until the second game of the season. He admitted the long wait wasn’t always easy.

“At the end of the day as a competitor you want to be in the game, you want to contribute to the success of your team,” he said. “For me it was more patience and understanding my time was coming.

“I went out every day and practiced hard. My chance came, and the coach gave me opportunities to make plays. Now we are here.”

McDaniel was impressed by Michel’s work ethic and his personality.

“He came to work every day trying to get a spot,” said the 33-year-old elder statesman among the Calgary receivers. “Those are the kind of guys we want here.

“Guys who come in not cocky, ready to work.”

The more Michel played, the more he learned to adapt and prosper.

“A lot of teams are playing a lot zones now a day,” said McDaniel. “You can’t run your routes like you are running in man coverage. Those are little things that help (take your game) to the next level.

“Trying to understand defences, trying to understand what they are going to do before the play. I think for him (the game) is slowing down.”

Like a wine that ages, Michel will get better with time.

“It’s just experience.,” said McDaniel. “Seeing what the defences are doing.

“Our offence is very detailed. Smalls things are big in our offence on each play. That’s how you get good in this league, understanding what defences are doing and then making your adjustments on the go.”

The Stampeders (13-4-1) head into Sunday’s game as favourites over the Argos (9-9) but no one expects Toronto to go down without a fight.

The Argos defence had three interceptions against quarterback Kevin Glenn, including a Terrance Plummer pick-six in last week’s 25-21 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Eastern Final.

Michel trusts the Stampeders will find a way to exploit some Toronto weaknesses.

“I feel like as a receiving corps we just have to compete,” he said. “Block hard on the perimeter, run crisp routes and pay attention to the details.

“I don’t see us being stopped.”