Calgary

Stampeders confident but taking nothing for granted with Grey Cup days away

Grey Cup week kicked off with a flurry of activity on Wednesday for players and reporters covering the big game, including CBC Calgary's Doug Dirks who'll be sending dispatches throughout the event.

'We'll have 6 months to party after the game on Sunday if we win'

Calgary Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson talks with quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (19) ahead of the 104th CFL Grey Cup against the Ottawa Redblacks in Toronto on Wednesday, November 23, 2016. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

I jumped in a cab at 4:30 a.m. in Calgary, landed in Toronto at noon, dropped off my luggage at one downtown hotel, picked up my CFL credentials at another hotel and somehow made it to the Calgary Stampeders practice at 2 p.m.

The Stampeders practice on Wednesday in Toronto, ahead of Grey Cup 2016 this Sunday. (Doug Dirks/CBC)

The Stampeders and Ottawa Redblacks are practicing indoors at Monarch Collegiate for the next three days because BMO Field, where the big game will be played, is unavailable.

That didn't keep Paul Smith from checking out his uncle Quinn's first practice of Grey Cup week. Seems like a reasonable excuse to skip out of school a little early.

Paul Smith takes in a Stampeders practice ahead of Grey Cup 2016 this Sunday. It was his uncle, Quinn Smith's, first practice of the week. (Doug Dirks/CBC)

It's old home week for Stampeders running back Jerome Messam as well. He has 20 family members and friends coming to watch him play on Sunday.

Messam told me the players get two free tickets each from the league, and then it's every man for himself. Hopefully he bought a few extras after the CFL dropped the price on some seats.

Calgary Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell hands off to running back Jerome Messam (left) at practice for the 104th Grey Cup in Toronto on Wednesday, November 23, 2016. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press)

The Stampeders are feeling confident, but taking nothing for granted right now.

Calgary linebacker Alex Singleton told me the players are treating this like a business trip.

"We'll have six months to party after the game on Sunday if we win," he said.

Thursday's practices are closed to the media so the teams can work on their special plays in private.

But we'll get a chance to grill the players again at breakfast and lunch. Glad I packed a pair of pants with an elastic waistband.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Doug Dirks

CBC Radio/TV Host

Host of CBC Radio's The Homestretch and Our Calgary on CBC TV. Sports commentator. Entertaining and informing Calgarians for years.