Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca
OTTAWA — For Vancouver-born Stampeders receiver Anthony Parker, the 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw feels like one giant opportunity.
The seventh-year veteran saw an uptick in targets over the closing weeks of the regular season, and enters Sunday’s Grey Cup having grown into a unique role within the Calgary offence.
“It couldn’t have been scripted any better,” chuckled Parker following practice on Wednesday. “To be able to do it in the nation’s capital, in Canada 150, is special — I’m getting goosebumps talking about it.”
As a Canadian-born and -bred professional, Parker understands the added importance of a Grey Cup in the nation’s capital in a bi-centennial year.
“Throughout the years, you’re coming up in football through the various levels, you (see) the CFL and its Grey Cup as kind of the marquee level (and) game, so to be here is exciting,” continued Parker. “It’ll be fun to get to Sunday and get things started.”
Parker has caught multiple touchdown passes in each of the last five seasons. (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)
The former Calgary Dino believes his increased workload towards the end of the 2017 season came with a little bit of hard work and a lot of quality teammates.
“I’d like to think I’m doing something special,” joked the 6-foot-1 pass-catcher. “But I’m just sticking to the gameplan and (trying) to be available when Bo (Levi Mitchell) needs me there — I’ve been able to make most of those catches when he’s putting the ball my way, and from there you just try to make something happen.”
Come Sunday, Parker will be hoping to shine on the national stage — just as another Dino, current U. of C. kicker Niko DiFonte, did two weeks ago in the national quarter-final.
🏈 | DID THAT JUST HAPPEN!!! Niko DiFonte with a 59-yard field goal to win #HardyCup81 for the Dinos! #WeAreAllDinos #GoDinos pic.twitter.com/e48NuoQQJ5
— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) November 11, 2017
“I was at home doing a couple things, busy with the kids, (but) checking the game (and) checking the game,” laughed Parker. “When UBC scored and (Calgary) got the ball back with 14 or 16 seconds left, you think your chances are pretty slim. But hey, to go out there and hit a 59-yarder to win it, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
The matchups for Parker and the rest of the Stamps receiving corps — DaVaris Daniels, Marken Michel, Marquay McDaniel, etc. — are not easy: Toronto’s secondary is an athletic one filled with proven playmakers.
“They did a great job this year and it’s a good group across the board,” said Parker. “Even the guys that are subbing in, they’ve got different packages (for) athletic guys. Even a guy like Marcus Ball, who’s playing some SAM position…it’s a pretty special group.”
One thing that does excite Calgary’s receiver group is the possibility for one-on-ones.
“They’re going to give us some challenges, but they also play a lot of man coverages — as a receiver, that’s what you ask for,” continued Parker. “You want to go out and show what you can do, and given the speed we’ve got on our team, I think there’s going to be opportunities to make some plays.”
