August 30, 2019

Esks’ Daniels looking to get the best of former team in Battle of Alberta

Shannon Vizniowski/CFL.ca

TORONTO — DaVaris Daniels is no stranger to the Battle of Alberta.

After spending the start of his career with the Calgary Stampeders, the receiver has made the jump to the other side of the rivalry, joining the Edmonton Eskimos in the offseason. This won’t be his first time returning to McMahon Stadium, however, it will be the first time playing in Mark’s Labour Day Weekend while donning the green and yellow.

On the latest episode of The Waggle presented by Sport Clips, Daniels joined Davis Sanchez to talk about joining the Eskimos, his connection with quarterback Trevor Harris, and the buildup to Monday’s clash.


Episode 173: The countdown to Mark’s LD Weekend is on!

EPISODE OVERVIEW: Davis is joined by Milt Stegall for a special Mark’s Labour Day Weekend edition of the Waggle, plus an interview with Eskimos receiver DaVaris Daniels.

EPISODE RUNDOWN: The Rod Smith discussion (1:45); Ranking the East (4:15); Khari Jones (7:15); Ranking the West (10:30); How many games does Bo need before the playoffs? (15:00); Challenges discussion (19:00); Mark’s Labour Day Weekend (23:48); Harris suspension/breaking records (27:00); What can MIke Reilly/BC do differently? (33:00); DaVaris Daniels interview (39:00).


“The coaches have put a lot of confidence in me and they’re starting to understand my route-running ability,” Daniels said. “They just draw up things and they get creative with it and the line is holding up perfectly.

“Trevor (Harris) has time to look down the field and get his feet set and I can just do whatever I can on the outside to get open.”

After signing as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings following the 2015 Draft, he would be waived and claimed by the New England Patriots — who would then waive him again just three days later.

Daniels would opt to take his talent to the CFL. He signed with the Stampeders ahead of the 2016 campaign. He was fantastic for the Stamps that year, hauling in 51 balls for 885 yards and nine touchdowns. During his three years in Calgary, the 26-year-old had 2,375 yards and 20 receiving touchdowns on 235 catches.

He’s always shown up when it’s come to the Grey Cup game. In 2016, he had seven catches for 89 yards. A year later, he bested those totals, nabbing 11 tosses for 113 yards. He missed the 2018 championship game due to an injury, but he was still able to capture his first Grey Cup trophy.

Once the offseason came around, he had a chance to choose a new home or return to the only CFL organization he had known. While mulling over his options, he received a call from the man who would eventually become his quarterback.

“I had a son and realized that I can’t make the easy things happen. I couldn’t just do what’s best for me; I had to do what’s best for him as well. Honestly, outside of that, it was Trevor. Trevor called me when he heard I was considering leaving Calgary and he asked about my family and everything that I had going on. It was just a connection from that 10-15 minute conversation that automatically made me feel wanted here. That was really just the icing on the cake to get me here.”

That connection has proven to be quite prosperous for the Eskimos. Harris is putting together one of the finest seasons of his career, and his receiving corps — consisting of Daniels, fellow free-agent signee Greg Ellingson, Ricky Collins Jr., Natey Adjei, and Tevaun Smith — is arguably the best in the league.

Over the past two games, Daniels has started to get more looks downfield, and he’s taken advantage, posting 150-plus receiving games, including a 10-catch, 207-yard performance against Winnipeg in Week 11.

There’s a chance that any member of this receiving unit could go off at any time. They’re deep and provide matchup nightmares for defences.

“We all do different things. Greg (Ellingson) has done it for a while. He’s a big receiver and a scrappy receiver and can run routes — he never plays at one speed, you never know what he’s running and he can do it all,” Daniels said. “Ricky (Collins Jr.), who’s improving and leading the league in yards and he’s been blowing up this year. You’ve got Natey (Adjei), who went for 100. All of us have gone for 100. Tevaun (Smith) has stepped up late and it’s hard to argue against it.

Edmonton Eskimos receivers DaVaris Daniels (Left), Ricky Collins Jr., and Natey Adjei pose for a photo on the sideline (Shannon Vizniowski/CFL.ca)

I don’t think there’s any slack and we’ve got guys who are pushing each other every week.”

During his time in Calgary, Daniels matched up in practice with Tre Roberson. We could see the two line up across from each other once again, and that could be one of the most exciting head-to-head battles of the year, as Roberson has six interceptions and two pick-6s this season alone.

The Eskimos will be heading into hostile territory on Monday, as McMahon Stadium will play host to the second showdown between these two teams in 2019. In the first game, the Stampeders took the game by a 24-18 score in front of their home faithful.

Despite the excitement behind this week’s matchup, Daniels and the Eskimos aren’t buying into the hype.

“Just from being on the other side, I know how big this game is to them; I know how big it is to the fans; I know how big it is to the community. It’s Labour Day, Battle of Alberta, it’s a big rivalry. It’s everything that we’re trying not to make it. I see it from both sides but I’m just trying to approach it as just another team.”