November 22, 2019

Cauz: The non-competing fan base’s guide to the Grey Cup

Johany Jutras/CFL.ca

Greetings to everyone from downtown Calgary. Normally I am not the “squatting in a coffee shop with my laptop” type but I need to soak in as much CFL as I can. As many readers know I live in Toronto so unless I’m renting out Mike Hogan’s guest suite (It’s gorgeous), sometimes you have to work a little bit for your CFL fix.

My first night at a media party at a local bar was pure joy. Nerdy references to “2004 Casey Printers” and the merits of Jon Ryan filled the air as I tried not to stare at the wildly handsome Jon Cornish. I walked into this coffee shop only to see Matt Dunigan pulling off the 7:10 a.m. pink jacket while Brian Williams was telling tales of Hamilton/Winnipeg Grey Cup clashes from the 1950s. At some point I will get in trouble when I ask one of the coaches what red wine they are drinking when they’re having a quiet conversation with a player at the hotel bar. I am that classic “kid in a candy store” here.

In this spirit of CFL joy I wanted to try and share some with the seven fan bases whose team could not be here in slightly snowy but not as cold as I thought Calgary. So for each fan base here are a couple reasons why you should be excited for the 107th Grey Cup.


MORE GREY CUP COVERAGE

» New Stripes: Van Zeyl enjoying time in rival colours
» Ticats’ defence looking to make ‘radical splash’ against Bombers
» Head-to-Head: Who has the edge in the Grey Cup?
» Inside the mind of Ticats pivot Dane Evans


BC Lions Fans

A whole bunch of you are nodding your heads vigorously at that Casey Printers reference. This Grey Cup represents an excellent chance for you to do some high quality window shopping. I know you are looking for a new coach after DeVone Claybrooks was let go. Well, search no more and cast your gaze towards the Hamilton Tiger-Cats sideline. Sunday’s game may represent the last time we see Mark Washington (defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach) and Tommy Condell (offensive coordinator) wearing the gold and black as both have entered that familiar role of “hot assistant” on the league’s best team. If things go right for the Tiger-Cats, I bet all you Lions fans will fall in love with one of these two coaches and the schemes they implement.

On the playing field you have to be lusting after either Ryker Matthews or Stanley Bryant. After such a tough year protecting Mike Reilly, I imagine the savvy Lions fans will be keeping a close eye on the Mathews vs. Willie Jefferson and Bryant vs. Ja’Gared Davis battles. Either of those standout offensive linemen would look great helping keep Reilly on his feet.

Calgary Stampeders Fans

Yes, this will not be the most satisfying Grey Cup but at least it will be the most relaxing to watch. All you Stamps fans can kick your feet back, reach down to that seventh level of the nacho dip and just enjoy the game. Four of the past five seasons have felt like either a coronation or a condemnation for your franchise this time of year. We would collectively enter this week proclaiming there was no way this particular Calgary team could possibly lose in the Grey Cup to an inferior Eastern team. Twice this was proven correct (2014 & 2018) and the fans could rightfully claim the league’s best team title, while on two other occasions you were left wondering how a 15-plus win, star-studded lineup lose to a barely .500 Eastern squad (2016 & 2017).

But this year just sit back and feel good knowing your team still managed to win 12 games despite a mass exodus of elite level defensive talent. Also, I don’t want to hear about any Calgary fan lamenting their team not being in the final game. All your team does is win; let someone else get to celebrate last. We all know you will be back here soon.

Edmonton Eskimos Fans

This one is simple and difficult at the same time. I know you never want to root for the team that just knocked you out of the playoffs, but this Grey Cup you have to be cheering for Orlondo Steinauer’s squad to get it done. A Hamilton Grey Cup allows for the classic “yeah but at least we lost to the eventual champion” rationalization for all Eskimos fans. Does it fully heal the wounds of that 36-16 Eastern Final loss? Of course not, but at least a Tiger-Cats win means you can rightfully claim that Edmonton is the third best team in the CFL. A bronze medal ain’t nothing to sneeze at.

 

Montreal Alouettes Fans

Because for the first time in a decade, Alouettes fans can watch the Grey Cup and realistically think this could be us a year from now. Montreal had its first winning season since 2012 and as long as they put together a stable management team and bring back Khari Jones, we could see the Alouettes playing on the final week of the season sooner rather than later.

Ottawa REDBLACKS Fans

Look, no one ever wants to be compared to a vulture. On the majestic scale they rank somewhere around a seagull, but much like what will be going on in Vancouver, Ottawa fans should be excited about not only the play on the field but what it could mean for their future roster. REDBLACKS fans, you as a group have to be rooting hard for Dane Evans to continue this magical run all the way to holding that big trophy over his head late on Sunday night. An Evans-led win means Hamilton really has no choice but to part ways with 2018 CFL East All-Star quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. A Tiger-Cats loss that comes as a result of multiple turnovers as the game becomes too big for the first-time starter could lead to hesitation from Hamilton management to break up the best one-two quarterback combo in the league.

So Ottawa, root for a shootout with the game ending on a bomb from Evans to Brandon Banks. Not only would that be an aesthetic wonderland for the viewer, but maybe it means Ottawa gets a step closer to figuring out its issues at quarterback. But why stop there? Dream big, REDBLACKS fans. How about a Masoli/Tommy Condell combination? You land that happy meal and all the dreary memories from last year’s free agency purge suddenly disappear.

Saskatchewan Roughriders Fans

Come on Saskatchewan, no need to be a bunch of grumpy galoots after losing in the Western Final despite outplaying Winnipeg for huge stretches of that game. Please try and push away memories of red zone failures from last weekend and just enjoy what we all are in store for on Sunday. Think about how much fun this game should be!

You have Brandon Banks and a passing game that led the league in big plays going up against a Bombers defence that is also super talented yet also gave up the most passing plays of 30 or more yards. Have some fun and bet the OVER. Who doesn’t love rooting for points? Why not root for Willie Jefferson to finally get his first championship ring? For three straight years Jefferson was easily the best Roughrider whenever he stepped on the field for you guys.

Toronto Argonauts Fans

I have saved the easiest for last. Well, also because Toronto alphabetically is last of this group of teams, but let’s focus on the narrative reasons why Toronto should be geeked up for a Grey Cup that resembles an Argonauts alumni game. It’s easy for any CFL fan to root for Zach Collaros and his improbable journey to the Grey Cup, but it’s even easier for Argonauts fans who can claim they got to watch Collaros before it was cool. My first memory was back in 2013 when he quarterbacked the Argonauts to a 33-27 Week 13 win over the Stampeders, throwing for 333 yards and four touchdowns with a clean stake from a turnover perspective.

Then there are the head coaches. Both have won Grey Cups in a variety of capacities with Toronto and both got their first shot at coaching with Toronto thanks to Jim Barker. Finally, I know it isn’t easy rooting for Hamilton for any true Double Blue fan, but come on, any and all self-respecting Argos supporters have to be thrilled at the idea that Chris Van Zeyl, who spent a decade with the Argonauts franchise, could emerge victorious on Sunday night.

No matter where you set your roots Sunday is going to be a special night.